Alexandria is gearing up for a bustling first weekend of May, offering residents and visitors a diverse slate of activities from Friday, May 2, through Sunday, May 4. Highlights include spring art festivals, bustling farmers’ markets, unique workshops, a “May the 4th Be With You” run, numerous live music performances across various venues, and the start of in-person early voting.
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
Friday, May 2
Things To Do
- 10 a.m.: Duncan Library Spring Book Sale at James M. Duncan Library
- 3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 5:30 p.m.: Candle Making Workshop at Plant House
- 7 p.m.: Introduction to Bhangra (Free) at Local Motion Project
- 7 p.m.: Del Ray Poetry Reading – Featured Poet: Alexandria Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub
- 7 p.m.: Opening Reception for ACHS Titan Student Art Exhibition at Del Ray Artisans
- 7 p.m. Screening of “To Kill A Tiger” and panel discussion at Alexandria City High School
- 7:30 p.m.: Two Piano Concertos at Westminster Presents
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Charles Wright Trio at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Broken Ground at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Timmie Metz Band at 9 p.m.
- Flipside Speakeasy: Karaoke at 8 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Moondaddies at 7 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Garvey and Practically Einstein at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Stereo Bouncers at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Michael W. Smith at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Climb On at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 8 a.m.: In-Person Early Voting Begins
- 8 a.m.: Health and Safety Coordinating Committee & CCJB
- 8 a.m.: ACPS Governance Committee Meeting
- 11 a.m.: Building Safety Month Kick-Off
Saturday, May 3
City of Alexandria teams up with Congressman Beyer for Federal Worker Job Fair on May 3
Alexandria’s ‘Spring Fling: A Vibrant Block Party’ returns on May 3
Upcoming blood drives in Alexandria seek donors this Thursday and Saturday
CareerCon offers career exploration and $4,000 in scholarships for high school and college attendees
Things To Do
- 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
- 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers’ Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
- 10 a.m.: Alexandria’s Spring Fling in Old Town
- 10 a.m.: Running At The Brewery at Aslin ALX
- 10 a.m.: Duncan Library Spring Book Sale at James M. Duncan Library
- 10 a.m.: Preservation Tours: Lost Buildings of Alexandria-The Waterfront at Carlyle House Historic Park
- 10 a.m.: 4th Annual Alexandria Springtime Art Festival at John Carlyle Square
- 10 a.m.: Pet Re-adoption and Patriotic Fest at George Washington Masonic National Memorial
- 10:30 a.m.: Parenting Professional Development Series – Personal Finance 101 for Parents at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: Spring Refresh: Learn How To Mount Floating Shelves & Use And Love Your Wall Space at Made in ALX
- 12 p.m.: Carlyle House Family Fun Day – Garden Gathering at Carlyle House Historic Park
- 12 p.m.: Spring Maker’s Market at Port City Brewing Co.
- 12 p.m.: Carlyle House Family Fun Day: Garden Gathering at Carlyle House
- 1 p.m.: Bingo for Breast Cancer at Lost Boy Cider
- 1 p.m.: Inova Blood Drive at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
- 2 p.m.: Brixalot Star Wars Lego at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Create a Resin Galaxy Tray at Made in ALX
- 3 p.m.: Macarons & Cider Pairing at Lost Boy Cider
- 3:30 p.m.: YIMBYs of NoVA Spring Picnic at Brenman Park Picnic Shelter
- 6:30 p.m.: Succulent & Sangria Workshop at PlantHouse
- 7 p.m.: Wine & Art Night at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ JD at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Eric Tubbs 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: Pat Garvey & Practically Einstein at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Lady Blackbird at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: The Darts (DMV) at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 8 a.m.: EPC Annual Retreat
- 9:30 a.m.: Common Interest Communities Training Series
- 10 a.m.: Specialty Tour: Peeling Back the Layers
- 10 a.m.: Rec Fest 2025
- 11 a.m.: Mother’s Day Spa
- 12 p.m.: Job Fair for Federal Workers and Contractors
- 2 p.m.: Landmark/Van Dorn Community Health Walk and Talk
Sunday, May 4
Random Harvest closing Alexandria location
Things To Do
- 8:30 a.m.: West End Farmers Market at 4800 Brenman Park
- 8:30 a.m.: “May the 4th Be With You” Star Wars Day Run/Walk at Cameron Run Regional Park
- 9 a.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers’ Market at Four Mile Run Park
- 9:30 a.m.: Book Buddies Adoption Event at Old Town Books
- 10 a.m.: 4th Annual Alexandria Springtime Art Festival at John Carlyle Square
- 11 a.m.: Alexandria community cleanup at King Street Metro Stop
- 11 a.m.: A Walk Down Flavor Lane at Made in ALX
- 12 p.m.: Board Games & Brunch at Lost Boy Cider
- 1 p.m.: Duncan Library Book Sale at James M. Duncan Library
- 1 p.m.: Book Signing with Bob Murray at Nepenthe Gallery
- 1 p.m.: Memorial May Community Event at Alexandria National Cemetery
- 1 p.m.: Writers Group at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Candle Making Workshop at Made in ALX
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: Bobby Reed 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: Antonio James at 11:30 a.m., Walt Johnson Trio at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton at 7:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 11 a.m.: Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary
- 2 p.m.: A Toast to Joe Reeder
