Alexandria residents have plenty of options to choose from this weekend, with sunny skies and temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities. The 23rd Annual Alexandria Art Festival serves as the marquee event alongside multiple farmers markets and live entertainment venues.
The Alexandria Art Festival runs both Saturday and Sunday at John Carlyle Square Park starting at 10 a.m., offering visitors a chance to browse local artwork while enjoying perfect fall weather with highs near 83 degrees Saturday and 86 Sunday. Art enthusiasts can also check out the Fall Arts & Crafts Fair at Made in ALX and Art in the Alley on Fort Hunt Road, both beginning Saturday morning.
The sunny forecast makes it an ideal weekend for the five different farmers markets scheduled across Saturday and Sunday. Saturday morning options include the Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza starting at 7 a.m. and the Del Ray Farmers’ Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at 8 a.m. Sunday brings three additional markets: West End Farmers Market, Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market, and Old Town North Sunday Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market.
Live music venues throughout Alexandria will host performances both nights, with The Birchmere featuring Kim Waters on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 10cc’s Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour on Sunday. Local establishments including Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, O’Shaughnessy’s Pub, and multiple restaurants will offer musical entertainment throughout the weekend.
For families, highlights include a kitten adoption event on King Street Saturday afternoon and various library programming, including storytime and board game activities at multiple Alexandria Public Library branches.
Saturday, Sept. 13
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
- 8:30 a.m.: Tone and Toast at Hotel Heron
- 9 a.m.: Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market at 1900 Mount Vernon Avenue
- 10 a.m.: Fitness At The Brewery at Aslin ALX
- 10 a.m.: 23rd Annual Alexandria Art Festival at John Carlyle Square Park
- 10 a.m.: Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour at Carlyle House
- 10 a.m.: Fall Arts & Crafts Fair at Made in ALX
- 10 a.m.: Art in the Alley at 7918 Fort Hunt Road
- 10:30 a.m.: Pedals & Pints at Handy Bikes
- 12 p.m.: Meowdy Partner – A Kitten Adoption Event at 705 King Street
- 1 p.m.: Sampling Saturday at Hops N Shine
- 2 p.m.: Community Volunteer Fair at 2810 King Street
- 3 p.m.: Labubu Acrylic Paint Pours – A Fluid Art Experience at Shop Made in VA
- 4 p.m.: Sweet Paws & Cider Sips at Lost Boy Cider
- 7 p.m.: Washington Bach Consort presents Nina Bernat: Double Bass at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Rich Russman at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Just Alone and DDRB at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Karaoke Night 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: The Wavos and Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: The Unstoppables at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Nina Bernat: Double Bass at 7 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Kim Waters at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Tunnels End at 9 p.m.
- The Sevareid House: The Rough & Tumble at 7:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City & School District Meetings & Events
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility
- 8 a.m.: Old Town Pool Open at Old Town Pool
- 9:30 a.m.: City Council Public Hearing Meeting at City Hall
- 10 a.m.: Storytime for Little Historians at Alexandria History Museum
- 3 p.m.: Colored Rosemont Marker Dedication at the corner of Wythe and West Streets
Alexandria Public Library
- 10 a.m.: Trash Trekkers – Burke Branch Walking and Litter Pickup Club at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Nature’s Medicine Chest & Mental Health at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Good Pet, Great Life! – Behavior 101 for Cats, Dogs, and Their Humans! at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Board Game Cafe at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Sunday, Sept. 14
Things To Do
- 8:30 a.m.: West End Farmers Market at 4800 Brenman Park
- 9 a.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market at Four Mile Run Park
- 9 a.m.: Old Town North Sunday Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market at 901 North Royal Street
- 10 a.m.: 23rd Annual Alexandria Art Festival at John Carlyle Square Park
- 12 p.m.: Make Your Own Colorful Resin Dangle Earrings at Made in ALX
- 12 p.m.: Super Smash Bros Tournament at Aslin ALX
- 1 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
- 3 p.m.: Truck-A-Palooza! Driver Safety Training at 801 South Payne Street
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Jazz Brunch with Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: ESP’s InterGalactic Open Mic at 8 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 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: 10cc – The Ultimate Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour 2025 w/ Cole Larravide at 7:30 p.m.
City & School District Meetings & Events
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility
- 8 a.m.: Old Town Pool Open at Old Town Pool
Alexandria Public Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Board Game Bliss at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 3:30 p.m.: Sunday Baby Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
