Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria.

Alexandria is a great place to be during the holiday season. Check out the family-friendly fun and festivities going on all December long. And don’t forget about opportunities to give back to those less fortunate during this season of giving. See our list of opportunities for charitable giving. 

December 2: 

• Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans
  11 a.m. 
  King Street from the Strand to the King Street Metro 
  For more than 50 years, the Scottish Walk has celebrated Alexandria’s Scottish heritage. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups, and more.

• Friendship Firehouse Museum Open 
  11 a.m.-5 p.m. 
  Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St. 
  While visiting Old Town Alexandria for the Scottish Walk, stop by the Friendship Firehouse Museum. Young visitors will receive a free fire hat. 

• Ship Biscuit Ornament 
  2-5 p.m. 
  Alexandria Archaeology Museum,105 N. Union St. 
  A nearly complete ship’s biscuit from the 18th century was found in Alexandria. Come make your own ship’s biscuit ornament to commemorate the discovery. 

• 2023 Holiday Fest 
  2-6 p.m. 
  Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 Union St. 
  Music fills the Torpedo Factory halls and the waterfront. Santa arrives by fire boat around 3:30 p.m. 

• Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon
  Parade 5:30 p.m., Dockside Festivities Begin at 1 p.m.
  Alexandria Waterfront  
  Enjoy dozens of brightly lit boats along a mile of Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront plus dockside festivities including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Co.

December 4-31 

• Sharing in the Delight of the Season 
  11 a.m.-6 p.m. 
  Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 Union St. 
  Scope Gallery hosts an exhibit centered on objects worthy of gifting — a portion of all sales will be donated to a food bank. 

December 6 

• Family Holiday Magic Show 
  7-9 p.m. 
  The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. 
  Join us at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum for a free holiday magic show, performed by professional magicians who are members of Ring 50, the Washington-area chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. 

December 9 

• Breakfast with Santa 
  10 a.m.-12 p.m. 
  Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. 
  Santa and his elves are stopping by for a morning of holiday cheer and breakfast! 

• Celebrate with Santa 
  11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
  Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Ave. 
  Kids won’t want to miss this fun, special interactive show including Santa’s favorite singalong songs, holiday craft making, and story time. 

• Kwanzaa How-to Workshop 
  11 a.m.-12 p.m. 
  Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. 
  Learn about the origins, concepts, practices, and foods of Kwanzaa and leave knowing how to hold your own celebration. 

• Christmas in Camp at Fort Ward 
  12-4 p.m. 
  Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. 
  Get in the holiday spirit and learn how Christmas was observed during the Civil War at Fort Ward Museum’s annual Civil War Christmas in Camp program. 

December 10 

• Colonial English Hand Bell Ringers “A Cool Yule” 
  2-3 and 4-5 p.m. 
  The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. 
  The Colonial English Handbell Ringers proudly present “A Cool Yule” concert for the 2023 holiday season, playing twice in the afternoon. 

December 15 

• Senior Ugly Sweater Party 
  12-2 p.m. 
  Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave. 
  Don your most outrageous holiday attire and join us for holiday craft sessions, cookie decorating, games, and music. Ages 55 and up. 

December 16 

• A Very Merry ALX Jazz Fest 
  7-9 p.m. (pre-show mingling starts at 5) 
  George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr. 
  Timeless jazz melodies and mesmerizing spoken-word performances will inspire and uplift at this holiday concert. 

December 17 

• Old Town Gingerbread Decorating 
  1-6 p.m. 
  Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. 
  Learn about local architecture as you decorate a flat building-front based on historic buildings around Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. 

December 30 

• Friendship Firehouse Museum Open 
  11 a.m.-5 p.m. 
  Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St. 
  Whether looking for fun activities during winter break or something to do with visiting family, stop by Friendship Firehouse Museum. Young visitors will receive a free fire hat. 

December 31 

• First Night Alexandria 
  2 p.m.-12 a.m. 
  Old Town Alexandria 
  Ring in the new year in downtown Alexandria with music, food, and fireworks all day and night. 

For more things to do in Alexandria this holiday season, check out Visit Alexandria’s events page. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.