Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Sails on the Potomac highlights Alexandria’s role in helping construct the foundation of the revolution. From the creation of the Fairfax Resolves to being the hometown of George Washington, Alexandria played a unique role in the birth of our nation.
Join us June 12-14 on the Alexandria waterfront for Sails on the Potomac, an engaging weekend festival that offers family activities, exhibits, music, educational programs, public art, and more!
Ship Reception Events
Each evening of the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for a special reception on the Kalmar Nyckel. These exclusive events give after-hours access to the ships, opportunties to meet the captain, and enjoy an evening overlooking the water.
Events and Ship Tours
What else can you do at Sails on the Potomac?
Visit The 250th History Village and Outpost
- The 250th History Village and Outpost is an outdoor exhibit filled with learning experiences for all ages. The featured Historic Alexandria chocolate booth is supported by American Heritage Chocolate. Visitors can engage in educational activities, have historic conversations with local organizations from across the region, and view pop-up exhibits throughout the exhibit. Official Sails on the Potomac merchandise will be on sale at the 250th Village.
Explore "Now or Never" at Site See: New Views in Old Town
- The eighth annual installation in the Site See: New Views in Old Town public art series commissioned by the City of Alexandria’s Public Art Program is "Now or Never" by Alicia Eggert. Located in Waterfront Park, the piece features two monumental sculptures that echo the visual language of signs and billboards. They stand face to face across a narrow passageway, one declaring NOW and the other replying NEVER. Visitors are invited to move physically between the structures, to underscore the possibility of finding common ground. The artwork reminds us that every moment is a turning point: an opportunity choose one’s future and to live deliberately from this moment forward.
Detailed Sails on the Potomac Map
Accessibility
The event takes place across .5 miles of the Alexandria waterfront. The parks are connected by a series of sidewalks and hard-packed gravel walkways.
The 250 Village and Outpost are set up in the flat, grassy areas of local parks.
A cooling bus is located on The Strand near the foot of King Street and near the foot of Wolfe Street.
Due to the nature of historic tall ships, most of them are not wheelchair accessible. The Sultana can accommodate lightweight wheelchairs. The Providence’s education center on the waterfront is wheelchair accessible. The Providence can accommodate walkers on the gangway, but there are steps that lead down to the deck.
Service animals are welcome.
For reasonable accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.
How to get to Sails on the Potomac
Multiple transportation options are available, including car, bus, and train. Take a look at the Getting Around Alexandria to determine which method is best for you.
Trains are a convenient way to get to Alexandria. We highly recommend guests metro to King Street or Eisenhower Avenue for the festival.
Use one of these four Alexandria Metro Stops with DASH Bus connections to the Waterfront:
- Braddock Road (Yellow and Blue Lines)
- Eisenhower Avenue (Yellow Line)
- King St-Old Town (Yellow and Blue Lines)
- Potomac Yard (Yellow and Blue Lines)
If you’re riding the Blue Line south, follow signs for Franconia-Springfield. On the Yellow Line going south, head towards Huntington. King St-Old Town is the closest station to Old Town Alexandria. The waterfront is only about a mile east of the station. Free bus services are available. You could also enjoy a 20-minute stroll down historic King Street.
Please note that the Crystal City Metro Stop will be closed for construction June 13 & 14—WMATA will be providing free shuttles from that stop to Pentagon City and National Airport stations.
For personalized trip planning on Metrorail, visit WMATA’s Trip Planner tool: wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/
Other rail options include the Amtrak and VRE stations, which are adjacent to the King St-Old Town Metrorail station. The VRE station services Manassas and Fredericksburg and operates Monday through Friday.
To plan your Amtrak trip, visit: amtrak.com/plan-your-trip
To plan your VRE trip, visit: vre.org/plan-a-trip/
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Take the FREE King Street Trolley from the King Street-Old Town Metrorail station
- Saturday, Sunday – Take the FREE DASH Shuttles every 30 minutes from Eisenhower Avenue Metro to Union Street at the Waterfront
- Saturday, June 13: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Sunday, June 14: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- $8 Flat Rate Parking is available at two nearby garages for those taking advantage of the free DASH shuttle service:
- 2400 Eisenhower Ave. (Open-air Lot)
- 2380 Mill Road (Covered Garage Parking)
Alexandria’s free and accessible bus services will take you into the heart of Old Town, within a few blocks of the waterfront.
DASH Bus
DASH buses serve all of the Metrorail stations. The 7-day route and the Old Town Circulator (Lines 30 and 31) and DASH Line 34 pass through Old Town. All buses are accessible to people with disabilities and feature bicycle racks.
KING STREET TROLLEY
The King Street Trolley travels from King St-Old Town Station to City Hall/Market Square. The trolley circulates every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Check out the bus system map.
The City of Alexandria is a nationally-recognized bike-friendly city! There are plenty of amenities to make biking in Old Town easy, including bike lanes, routes, and parking.
BIKE and stroller VALET
Want to ride your bike to the event, or take your stroller, but don't know where to park it? Bike Valet DMV will be available on King St. and The Strand (behind Mai Thai Restaurant), free of charge during the times below. This service is free and open to the public.
- Friday, June 12: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Sunday, June 14: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Capital Bikeshare
Use the promo code ALXSETSAIL50 for the upcoming Sails on the Potomac event. This code provides 50% off one 30-minute ebike or classic bike ride (max savings of $6) and is available for up to 200 riders. The code is valid from June 13–14, 2026.
Max savings of $6 per ride. Limited quantity. Valid June 13-14, 2026. Terms apply.
Redemption instructions:
- Sign in to the Capital Bikeshare App or Lyft App
- Click on the Menu on the top left of the screen
- Click on Rewards
- Click on Add promo
- Enter promo code into pop up
- Discount/credit will be applied
Capital Bikeshare has 71 stations in Alexandria. On the app, users can pay per ride or get a day pass. Check out the bikeshare map to find stations.
E-bikes and Scooters
You can also rent Lime or GCOO electric scooters and bikes. Use their apps to find and unlock a ride. If you don't have a smartphone, you can also unlock them by sending a text message or making a phone call.
Important Riding Rules
To keep everyone safe, please follow these rules:
- No Sidewalk Riding on King Street: You cannot ride bikes or scooters on the sidewalk on King Street (from West Street to the river).
- No Sidewalk Riding on Union Street: You cannot ride on the sidewalk on Union Street (between Prince and Cameron Streets).
- Scooters and E-Bikes: These must stay on the street, in bike lanes, or on paved trails. Do not ride them on any sidewalks.
There will be special designated drop-off and pick-up spots for this event along King Street at the following intersections:
- King & Union
- King & Lee
- King & Fairfax
If you’re driving to Alexandria, the I-495 highway is a major route to the city. You might also take George Washington Memorial Parkway or U.S. Route 1, which take you directly into Old Town.
Start the fun early by taking the water taxi to Old Town Alexandria. The Potomac Water Taxi sails from National Harbor, the Wharf, and Georgetown to Alexandria. Find schedules and purchase tickets on the Potomac Water Taxi website. The water taxi landing dock in Alexandria is just steps from the festival.
PARKING Information
Visitors to our Sails 250 and Jazz Fest events are discouraged from driving into the city for this event, as garages and street parking will fill up quickly. If you decide to drive all the way into Old Town, you can look for a spot in a parking garage or a space on the street.
Pro Tip: Use the ParkMobile app on your phone. It is the easiest way to pay for street parking or to find and pay for a spot in a garage.
- Street Parking: Street Parking is limited to a max of 2-3 hours, so use of an off-street lot is encouraged. Check the signs to see how long you can stay.
- Garages and Lots: See all the City garages and lots in Old Town.
- When driving to a specific garage, plug in the garage address to your GPS.
- $8 Flat Rate Parking is available at two nearby garages for those taking advantage of the free DASH shuttle service (see event shuttle information above):
- 2400 Eisenhower Ave. (Open-air Lot)
- 2380 Mill Road (Covered Garage Parking)
- More Info: Parking in Old Town
- Use services like ParkMobile, SpotHero and Parkopedia for assistance finding additional paid parking across the City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the festival, including ship tours, 250th Village and Outpost, as well as the music performances, are free to attend. Evening events require the purchase of a ticket.
- Ship tours are from Noon-6 p.m. each day.
- The 250th Village and Outpost are open from Noon-6 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and Noon – 7 p.m. on Saturday.
- Performances at Waterfront Park are from Noon – 6 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and Noon – 9 p.m. on Saturday.
- Fireworks on the Potomac are on Saturday only at 9 p.m.
Reserving a timed ticket is your best option to ensure you can board a ship. A walk-up line will be available, but entry from this line is not guaranteed.
Guests should reserve their timed tickets online. Ship tickets are not transferrable and are valid for 30 minutes from the ticketed time. A ticket is needed for each ship and for each person, regardless of age. Due to the nature of historic tall ships, strollers are not permitted and most are not wheelchair accessible.
Not to worry! A walk-up line will be available and guests will be let on as capacity allows. You can also view the ships from the docks for great photos and enjoy the many other activities during the day including the 250th History Village and Outpost as well as the 48th Annual Alexandria Jazz Fest.
Each visitor may reserve up to 6 tickets per ship.
All guests boarding a tall ship, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket to gain admission to the ship.
The tall ships are only available for on-deck tours, but there are plenty of fascinating features to explore.
Yes, however, drone photography is not permitted.
- The Kalmar Nyckel was launched in 1997. She is a reproduction of a colonial ship that was built in 1627.
- The Sultana is a 2001 reproduction of a Royal Navy schooner that was built in 1767.
- Providence is a 1976 reproduction of a sloop with records dating from 1769.
- Gazela is an original vessel that was built in Portugal in 1883.
Due to the nature of historic tall ships, strollers are not permitted on deck, but there will be places for you to park them.
Pets are not permitted on the tall ships, but service animals are welcome. Dogs are welcome in public parks but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Yes, unless extreme weather conditions arise. Please visit the City of Alexandria’s website and follow along on social media (@alexandriavagov) for the most up-to-date information.
Alexandria in June is hot. Lines are not shaded and there is no seating in the line. Wear sunscreen, bring a hat or small umbrella for shade, and water for hydration. For ship tours, wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes. The ships have many surfaces that can stub your toes.
Restrooms and hand-washing stations will be located in Waterfront Park and Point Lumley.
Follow the City of Alexandria (@alexandriavagov) and the Office of Historic Alexandria (@historicalexva) on social media or check their website for additional information.
Alexandria is a Sail 250 Virginia℠ 2026 Affiliate Harbor. There will be eleven Sail Virginia℠ 2026 events between June 12 and June 23, including Sails on the Potomac. To see all the Virginia cities and dates, look here. Sail250 will also be held in these cities:
- Norfolk (June 19 – 23)
- Baltimore (June 25 – July 1)
- New York City (July 4 – 8)
- Boston (July 11 – 16)
It’s best to visit the ships from north to south or south to north to maximize your time along the waterfront so you can listen to music from the event stage, visit the 250th History Village and Outpost, as well as enjoy all the other fun at the festival. If starting from the north, visit the Kalmar Nyckel first, then Sultana, Providence, and lastly Gazela. If going from south to north, just reverse this list.
Volunteering for Sails on the Potomac
There are many volunteer opportunities during the Festival! To let us know your interest, fill out a volunteer application and select “Event Volunteering for 250th Sails on the Potomac.” Applicants will be contacted by the end of April.
Make It a Weekend!
Alexandria, Virginia, welcomes families, friends and history-lovers to stay in and explore this historic and cosmopolitan destination, and commemorate America’s 250th birthday in a city older than the U.S. itself. Alexandria has played a major role in the nation’s story and reflects its progress toward inclusivity.
Getting To & Around Alexandria
Conveniently located between Washington, D.C. and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and nearby three major airports, Alexandria makes it easy to get around. Hop on the metro for a smooth ride in and out of the city or take in sweeping views of the Potomac River on the Amtrak on your way into Alexandria. Enjoy the free DASH bus or charming King Street trolley that takes you from the Metro Station to City Hall to attend the city’s marquee America 250 event, Sails on the Potomac—the largest 250 event in Northern Virginia and the only event featuring tall ships in the D.C. region. Find the best route to historic exhibitions, museums and 250 experiences with Visit Alexandria’s guide on Getting To & Around Alexandria.
Where to Stay
Immerse yourself in Alexandria’s history and enjoy modern hotel amenities, spaces, and venues. Whether you're traveling with the family, your partner, or even journeying solo, browse Visit Alexandria’s hotel page a variety of unique hotel properties, deals and offerings.
Where to Dine
Dine in historic buildings and row houses, carefully preserved, and reimagined into delicious restaurants that showcase markers of its rich history dating back from the Civil War to the colonial era. Explore a diverse selection of cuisine using Visit Alexandria’s restaurant catalogue. Take your dining experience to the next level and enjoy cuisine in some of Alexandria’s architectural treasures as highlighted in Visit Alexandria’s ongoing series “If These Walls Could Talk.”
What to Do
From finding the best fireworks viewing spots to experiencing major events along the Potomac waterfront like Sails on the Potomac, explore exciting happenings and programming through Visit Alexandria’s Ultimate Guide to Commemorating America’s 250th birthday in the city. Browse through stand-out 250 events and exhibitions on Visit Alexandria’s America 250 homepage.
Media Kit Access
If you are a member of the media and would like access to our online media kit for information and photos, please submit your information to this form.