There’s much to do in Alexandria on this last weekend of April.
Here’s a guide to what’s going on this weekend around the city:
Friends of Duncan Library Spring Book Sale
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, April 26
Browse thousands of bargain-priced books in a variety of genres. Books are priced at $4 for hardcover and $2 for paperback, unless otherwise marked. Proceeds benefit Duncan Library’s purchases of books, programming, materials, community events, equipment and more.
2501 Commonwealth Avenue
MV Big Flea
When: 7:30-1 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Sunday, April 26
This large flea market will be held over two days in a new location this year. On Sunday, everything is half off from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and everything is free starting at 12:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit Mount Vernon Community School.
2525 Mount Vernon Avenue
Old Town Alexandria Art Show and Craft Spring Fair
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 25
This returning festival will feature vendors showcasing handmade art, crafts, and gifts, including jewelry, fine art, home decor and more. Food and drink vendors will also be stationed at the event.
300 John Carlyle Street
Discover Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour
When: 10-11:30 Saturday, April 25
This one-and-a-half-hour tour examines the various architectural styles in Alexandria as it transformed from an 18th century town to a bustling small city today. Reservations are required due to limited space. The cost is $20 per person. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The tour is rain or shine, except in severe weather.
121 N. Fairfax Street
PNC Alexandria Half
When: 7 a.m. Sunday, April 26
The PNC Alexandria Half Marathon will return, bringing runners through Old Town and along the George Washington Memorial Parkway for a half marathon, 5K run and kids dash. This race will extend beyond city limits along the George Washington Memorial Parkway before returning to the city.
Alexandria Police say there will be various road closures in place:
Saturday, April 25
7:30 a.m. through about 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26
- 500 block of N. Union St.
- 100–200 block of Pendleton St.
Sunday, April 26
2:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- 600–800 blocks of N. Fairfax Street
- 100–300 blocks of Madison Street (100 block reopening may be delayed)
5:30 a.m.
- Southbound traffic on Washington St. will be diverted northbound at Alfred St.
6:00 a.m.
- All intersections along the race route will be closed to cross traffic
- Roads will reopen as runners pass, beginning around 8:30 a.m.
- All roadways are expected to reopen by approximately 11:40 a.m.
More traffic impacts:
- Southbound Washington St. will close at Gibbon Street (Gibbon remains open for detours).
- Officers will assist with traffic flow during breaks in runners.
- Flagging operations will assist residents in the 1200 block of S. Washington Street.
- Officers will direct ramp traffic from Church St. to northbound Columbus Street.
Old Town Alexandria and George Washington Memorial Parkway
Del Ray GardenFest
When: 12-4 p.m. Sunday, April 26
The annual GardenFest at Nicholas A. Colasanto Baseball Field is a free festival hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association. Organizers will distribute 400 native tree seedlings and hundreds of vegetable and herb seed packets to all attendees for free. There will also be booths, kids activities, and interactive gardening demonstrations. The event will include the City of Alexandria’s presentation of the Ellen Pickering Award in Environmental Excellence and Compost Awareness Week Proclamation.
Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenue
