Notes: Fourth of July weekend brings historic tours, live music, and family fun to Alexandria

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Saturday, July 5, the 186th day of 2025. There are 179 days left in the year.

🌦️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming south 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low of around 66 degrees. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

🚨 You need to know

Alexandria residents and visitors have plenty to choose from this Fourth of July weekend, with farmers markets, historic tours, live music, and family-friendly festivities filling the city’s calendar. The holiday weekend brings a mix of traditional Alexandria staples and special summer programming that showcases the city’s blend of historic charm and modern entertainment.

Saturday morning kicks off early with the Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza at 7 a.m., followed by the Del Ray Farmers’ Market an hour later. History enthusiasts can explore the city’s Civil War heritage through specialized tours, including “Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour” at 10 a.m. and a Civil War Hospital Tour at 2 p.m., both at the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden. The Carlyle House Historic Park celebrates the holiday with a July 4th Jamboree Family Fun Day starting at noon, offering period activities for all ages.

The weekend’s entertainment scene reflects Alexandria’s diverse musical tastes, with venues across the city hosting everything from Irish traditional music to comedy. The Birchmere presents comedian Donnell Rawlings on Saturday night, while local favorites like Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub and The Light Horse feature live bands. For those seeking a more intimate setting, The Study at Morrison House offers live piano music starting at 6 p.m., and multiple venues provide karaoke opportunities for amateur performers.

Sunday continues the weekend’s momentum with three farmers markets spread across the city, ensuring fresh local produce is accessible to residents in Old Town, Del Ray, and West End neighborhoods. The Lyceum hosts “Summer Sundays Chamber Music” at 3 p.m., presented by the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association, providing a cultural counterpoint to the weekend’s more casual offerings. The Birchmere caps off the weekend with The Milk Carton Kids, bringing their folk harmonies to Alexandria’s premier music venue.

Scroll down for the full calendar of events and additional details.

📈 Friday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for July 4, 2025.

1. Notes: New Virginia laws take effect this week, impacting Alexandria residents
2. Alexandria daycare employee fired after months of alleged child abuse
3. Man found in Holmes Run with duct tape around mouth died of ‘self-inflicted’ gunshot, APD says
4. Governor Youngkin taps four more Alexandria residents for state board positions
5. Alexandria wants your Opinion: Should the 200 block of King Street stay car-free?

📅 Upcoming events

Here’s what’s happening today and this weekend in Alexandria, courtesy of our event calendar.

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.