Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Friday, Aug. 1, the 213th day of 2025. There are 152 days left in the year.
⛈️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77 degrees. North wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
Isolated showers tonight between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 65 degrees. North wind 6 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
🚨 You need to know
More than 20 Old Town Alexandria boutiques are participating in a tax-free shopping weekend Friday and Saturday, covering sales tax for customers on clothing, gifts, home decor and other items.
The Old Town Boutique Community event runs Aug. 1-2 at participating shops throughout the historic district. Store owners are absorbing the tax costs to encourage back-to-school shopping and support for local businesses during the summer sales period.
“It’s the perfect time to shop summer sales, grab fresh arrivals, and get your closet fall-ready,” according to the Old Town Boutique Community website. The initiative aims to draw shoppers to locally owned stores while offering savings typically found only during Virginia’s official tax-free weekend.
Participating retailers include children’s stores like 529 Kids Consign and Pippin Toy Co., fashion boutiques such as Bishop Boutique and Era, and home goods shops including Boxwood and Red Barn Mercantile. Most stores will operate extended hours, with some locations open until 8 p.m.
The complete list of participating stores and updated information is available at oldtownboutiquecommunity.com. Store hours vary, with most opening at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. both days.
Here’s what else you need to know
🗓️ The City of Alexandria has extended the deadline for its Duke Street Corridor community poll until Aug. 18, officials announced Thursday.
🚒 Alexandria firefighters responded to an apartment fire Thursday evening in the 5400 block of Sheffield Court, according to Alexandria Firefighters Inc. IAFF Local 2141.
🎥 The Real Housewives of Potomac just wrapped its 10th season, and the Alexandria-based production crew will soon send all its footage for editing in New York City.
👉 Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced legislation Thursday requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to identify themselves and remove masks during routine immigration enforcement activities, citing concerns about unidentified officers conducting operations across Virginia communities.
🇮🇪 The Alexandria A Cappella Collective will travel to Ireland Aug. 4-12 for a concert tour featuring performances in Galway, Cork and Dublin alongside Irish choruses.
📈 Thursday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for July 31, 2025.
- Smoking Kow BBQ claims victory in Alexandria’s Readers’ Choice barbecue battle
- Flood Watch issued for Alexandria area as heavy thunderstorms expected Thursday
- Notes: Alexandria City High School student wins statewide essay contest
- Road closures disrupt Alexandria commutes for railroad repairs
- Senator Warner introduces bill requiring ICE agents to identify themselves, remove masks during routine operations
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- 10:30 am Saturday: The Sky Tonight: Live Planetarium Show
- 12:00 pm Saturday: Carlyle House Family Fun Day – Pet Fête
Things To Do
- All Day: Tax Free Weekend at Select Old Town Boutiques
- 10:30 a.m.: Ventriloquism with Ty-Rone Travis at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Friday Night O’Connell’s Run at Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant
- 6:30 p.m.: Ride & Sip with Zweet Sport & Port City Brewing Company at Zweet Sport Total Fitness Studio
- 6:30 p.m.: Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop at PlantHouse
- 7 p.m.: Lovely as a Tree Art Exhibit Opening Reception at Del Ray Artisans
- 219 Restaurant: Live music at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ Mike Rodriguez at 9:30 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Comedy Showcase at 8 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Timmie Metz Band at 9 p.m.
- Cafe du Soleil: Skinnier Wallace and Bahama Tommy Jam at 6 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.
- Epicure on King: Digikat, Mister Riflley, and Sable Drive at 7 p.m.
- Flipside Speakeasy: Karaoke at 8 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Little Low, Be Safe, Wandering Years at 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Live music at 6 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Moondaddies at 6:30 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Tyler Goldstein & Pat Gravey at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Lyfe Jennings at 7:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
- No events or meetings scheduled.
