The City invites the community to join Mayor Alyia Gaskins and a host of holiday friends at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 22, at 6 p.m. in Market Square (301 King St.). This will also be the last tree lighting event at the current Market Square, as renovations will begin in January 2026. Admission is free, and the event will occur rain or shine. 

The Town Crier will call everyone to gather, followed by remarks by the Mayor. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will arrive by King Street Trolley and join the mayor onstage to begin the countdown. The Tree Lighting is expected to occur sometime between 6:40 and 6:55 p.m. Then, after 7 p.m., enjoy the start of the holiday season with music and merriment by Steffenworx Brass while Santa and Mrs. Claus walk the Square and visit with families until 8 p.m. 

The public is encouraged to take public transit or walk to the event. Visitors to Old Town can take Metrorail’s Blue or Yellow lines to the King Street-Old Town Station and then take the free King Street Trolley to the event in front of City Hall. 

New this year, DASH will be debuting its first holiday bus wrap! Take a ride around Alexandria on a bus decorated with festive, winter-themed scenes, starting at the Holiday Tree Lighting. For DASH schedule information, call 703.746.DASH (3274) or visit dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit wmata.com. For parking information, visit alexandriava.gov/Parking. 

For more information about the event, call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or visit alexandriava.gov/Holidays.