Alexandria residents and visitors have a packed weekend ahead with the city’s annual Sidewalk Sale taking center stage Saturday, transforming Old Town into a shopper’s paradise while farmers markets, live music venues, and cultural attractions offer something for every taste.
Thursday kicks off the festivities with National IPA Day at Port City Brewing and the Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Market Square, while Friday brings the return of Derecho Lager and trivia nights at historic sites. Saturday’s highlights include the all-day sidewalk sale, multiple farmers markets from Old Town to Del Ray, and evening entertainment ranging from improv comedy at The Lyceum to tribute bands at The Birchmere.
Sunday rounds out the weekend with chamber music, family-friendly activities, and the specialty “Magical Apothecary” tour at the Stabler-Leadbeater Museum, ensuring there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy Alexandria’s vibrant summer scene.
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
Thursday, August 7
Things To Do
- 11 a.m.: National IPA Day at Port City Brewing Company
- 12 p.m.: Line Dancing at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion – “Intermezzo” – by Sally Rooney at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers’ Market at Montgomery Park
- 5:30 p.m.: Sit & Stitch at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Del Ray First Thursday “Surf’s Up!” in Del Ray
- 6 p.m.: Nepenthe Gallery Fundraising Event to benefit “We Will Survive Cancer”
- 6 p.m.: Happy Hour Concert Series at Carlyle Crossing: Hand Painted Swinger
- 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night – ages 6-12 – at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 7 p.m.: Meet & Greet with Miklo, Blood In Blood Out at Lost Toltecos
- 7 p.m.: World Short Story Discussion Group – “The Master Mourner” and “Porcelain” virtually with Alexandria Library
- 7:45 p.m.: Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Market Square
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Catboat Pizza: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Rap Is Poetry Open Mic Night at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Pub: Justina Beth-El at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Atzlan | Context at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- Rosemont Cellar: Sleeper Car at 6:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Kinky Boots at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
- All Day: ACPS Teacher Work Day
- 9 a.m.: Industrial Development Authority Meeting
- 6 p.m.: ACPS Special Called School Board Meeting
- 7:45 p.m.: Alexandria Pipes and Drums Summer Concert at Market Square
Friday, August 8
Things To Do
- 11 a.m.: Derecho Lager returns at Port City Brewing Company
- 3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Friday Night O’Connell’s Run at Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant
- 7 p.m.: Trivia Nights at Historic Sites – Baseball at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ Mike Rodriguez at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Angie Miller at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Kenny Kohlhaas at 9:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Suburbanabuse with Syd’s Lunch 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: Caitlyn Margaret at 6:30 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Gravey at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience at 7:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Kinky Boots at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools
- 6:30 p.m.: ACRP Benjamin Thomas Remembrance Program at Shiloh Baptist Church
Saturday, August 9
Things To Do
- All Day: Alexandria Sidewalk Sale throughout Old Town and Alexandria
- 8 a.m.: Hypergoat One Year Celebration at Hypergoat Cafe
- 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
- 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers’ Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
- 8:30 a.m.: Murphy’s Saturday Run at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
- 9 a.m.: Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace at Carlyle House
- 9 a.m.: Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market in Del Ray
- 10 a.m.: METWC 2025 Annual Community Back-2-School Slam Jam Events at Patrick Henry School
- 10 a.m.: Trash Trekkers – Burke Branch Walking and Litter Pickup Club at Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10 a.m.: Fitness At The Brewery at Aslin ALX
- 10 a.m.: Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
- 10:30 a.m.: Pedals & Pints at Handy Bikes
- 2 p.m.: Civil War Hospital Tour at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
- 2 p.m.: Good Pet, Great Life! – Behavior 101 for Cats, Dogs, and Their Humans at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: 3rd Annual Project Backpack Giveaway at Blaszkow Legal Injury Lawyers
- 3:30 p.m.: DIY Teens: Galaxy Jars at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 8 p.m.: Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary at The Lyceum
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Rich Russman at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Comedy Night at 8 p.m., DJ & Karaoke Night at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Juniper Lights at 9:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Two Least Likely 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: Tyler Goldstein & Pat Gravey at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: 1964: The Tribute at 7:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Kinky Boots at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools
- 10 a.m.: Storytime for Little Historians at Alexandria Black History Museum
- 12 p.m.: Commission for Women Retreat at Department of Community and Human Services
Sunday, August 10
Things To Do
- 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
- 1 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
- 1:30 p.m.: Board Game Bliss at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2:30 p.m.: Preschool STEAM Sundays at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 3 p.m.: Summer Sundays Chamber Music at the Lyceum by WMPA
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 Art Gallery: Lud Roes, Gardenia, and No One Sphere 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: O’McPub Band at 4 p.m., Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Switch at 7:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Kinky Boots at 2 p.m.
City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools
- 11 a.m.: Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
