Alexandria is buzzing with activity this weekend, April 25-27, offering residents and visitors a diverse mix of history, community engagement, and entertainment.
Saturday marks a highlight for history enthusiasts with the 92nd annual Historic Garden Week opening doors to some of Old Town’s most exclusive private homes and gardens.
Meanwhile, Sunday morning sees the debut of the rebranded PNC Alexandria Half Marathon, bringing runners and road closures throughout the city.
Civic participation is also key this weekend, with a City Council public hearing on Saturday addressing development and zoning, alongside opportunities for residents to safely dispose of medications during Drug Take Back Day or potentially clear criminal records at a free expungement clinic.
Add in neighborhood staples like the MV Big Flea yard sale, Del Ray’s GardenFest, a unique “Banned Book Speakeasy” running through Sunday, and a packed calendar of live music across numerous venues, and it promises to be an action-filled weekend in Alexandria.
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
Friday, April 25
Things To Do
- 11 a.m.: Book Sale by Burke Branch Friends of the Library at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Film – “Greyhound” at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 3:30 p.m.: Rain Gutter Regatta at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 5 p.m.: Dragon Fest at George Mason Elementary
- 6 p.m.: Lynn Boggess: The Twentieth Year Opening Reception at Principle Gallery
- 6:30 p.m.: Introduction to Rug Tufting – Live Demo Experience at Tuftology Studio
- 6:30 p.m.: Winter Teen Creativity Contest Art Show – Opening Reception at Kyo Gallery
- 8 p.m.: Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary at The Lyceum
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Sprinting Turtles at 9:30 p.m.
- American Legion Post 24: Comedy Night at 8 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Giggle Monster Comedy Showcase at 8 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Too Extra Band at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Franklin Music Duo at 9:30 p.m.
- Flipside Speakeasy: Karaoke at 8 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Round About at 7 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rocky Guttmann & Kenny Kohlhaas at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: 10,000 Maniacs at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Broken Ground at 9:30 p.m.
- The Lyceum: Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 7 p.m.: Dance for All Ages
Saturday, April 26
Things To Do
- 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
- 7:30 a.m.: The MV Big Flea at Mt. Vernon Recreation Center
- 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers’ Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
- 9 a.m.: Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace at Carlyle House
- 9:30 a.m.: Independent Bookstore Day at Old Town Books
- 10 a.m.: Running At The Brewery at Aslin ALX
- 10 a.m.: 92nd Historic Garden Week Old Town Alexandria Tour in Old Town
- 10 a.m.: Alexandria Eco-Transportation Bicycle Ride at Van Dorn Street Metro Station
- 10:30 am: Pedals & Points at Handy Bikes
- 11 a.m.: Incorporating Native Plants for Biodiversity – Part I: Understanding Native and Non-Native Plants at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 11 a.m.: Alexandria Art Show & Craft Spring Fair ~ Mother’s Day Celebration at John Carlyle Square Park
- 11 a.m.: Book Sale by Burke Branch Friends of the Library at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 12 p.m.: Blanket Making Workshop at Lost Boy Cider
- 12 p.m.: Del Ray Garden Fest at Colasanto Baseball Field
- 1 p.m.: Make a Beltane Wreath at Made in ALX
- 1:15 p.m.: Discover WWII Heroism with author Carole Avriett – author of Midnight in Ironbottom Sound at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Coady/Young Closing Reception at Torpedo Factory
- 2 p.m.: Oddball Cinema at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Springfest: Halfway to Oktoberfest at Hops N Shine
- 3 p.m.: French Conversation Club at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Annual Gala & Auction at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
- 6 p.m.: 2025 Alexandria Sister Cities Whisky Tasting at The Lyceum
- 6:30 p.m.: Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop at PlantHouse
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Say What Again at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 9 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Freq Flag/The Crowd Scene/Devin Ocampo & Jerry Busher at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio at 7 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards & Kenny Kohlhaas at 9 p.m.
- Port City Brewing Company: Jokes On Tap: Free Comedy Night at 7 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: SGGL – Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin, & Lille at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Diplomatic Immunity at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 8:30 a.m.: We Are Eco-City Alexandria!
- 9:30 a.m.: City Council Public Hearing Meeting
- 10 a.m.: Drug Take Back Day at Woodbine Rehabilitation
- 10 a.m.: Drug Take Back Day at APD Headquarters
- 10 a.m.: Drug Take Back Day at Neighborhood Pharmacy
- 10 a.m.: Drug Take Back Day at Fire Station 210
- 10 a.m.: Drug Take Back Day at Wegmans
- 10 a.m.: Expungement Clinic
- 10 a.m.: Drug Take Back Day at Walgreens Pharmacy
- 12 p.m.: Air & Land Pop-Up Event
- 2 p.m.: Alexandria Spring Invitational Cheer Competition
- 2 p.m.: Landmark/Van Dorn Community Health Walk and Talk
- 6 p.m.: Whisky Tasting for 4/26/2025
Sunday, April 27
Things To Do
- 7 a.m.: PNC Alexandria Half Marathon, 5k, & Kid’s Dash in Old Town
- 8:30 a.m.: West End Farmers Market at 4800 Brenman Park
- 9 a.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers’ Market at Four Mile Run Park
- 10 a.m.: Old Town Book Fair at Morrison House
- 12 p.m.: Free Give-away of office supplies, furniture, and more at ADC Office
- 12 p.m.: Second Annual Wheeler Ave Derby at Port City Brewing Company
- 1 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
- 1 p.m.: Groovy Cookie Decorating at Lost Boy Cider
- 1 p.m.: Book Sale by Burke Branch Friends of the Library at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Dried Floral Gold Hoop Workshop at PlantHouse
- 2 p.m.: Four Mile Run Kayak Cleanup – All Alexandria Reads at Four Mile Run
- 2 p.m.: Alexandria Oddball Cinema – “Violet & Daisy” at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Jane Austen: Music and Dance at The Lyceum
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Ian Conor at 5 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Fantazma, Zipa, and The Armor at 3 p.m., Open Mic at 7:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Steve Ragsdale at 11:30 a.m., Walt Johnson Trio at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 9 p.m.
- No. 9 Lounge at Evening Star Cafe: Rock Del Ray at 6 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 10 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: WMAL Presents Free Speech Forum at 7 p.m.
- The Lyceum: Jane Austen: Music and Dance at 3 p.m.
City of Alexandria
