Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognized on the federal Columbus Day holiday, will bring an array of closures and schedule changes to Alexandria.
The holiday falls on Monday, Oct. 12, which will mean a three-day weekend for some employees and students. The City of Alexandria has recognized the holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day since 2019 and has shared the history of Indigenous peoples in the city on its website.
City government offices will be closed on Oct. 12, while Alexandria City Public Schools will have a student holiday and professional learning day for staff. Additional holiday closures include Alexandria General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Court Service Unit, Circuit Court, the Clerk of Circuit Court, Alexandria Library locations, the Alexandria Health Department, Flora Krause Casey Health Center, Teen Wellness Center clinics and the Virginia DMV.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with adoptions starting at noon. Animal emergencies and wildlife concerns can be directed to 703-746-4444.
Charles Houston Recreation Center, Chinquapin Recreation Center and Patrick Henry Recreation Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 12, but all other city recreation and nature centers will be closed. The Torpedo Factory Art Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will be open from 1-5 p.m., while all other Historic Alexandria museums will be closed on Oct. 12.
DASH bus service will run on a Saturday-Sunday schedule on Oct. 12. That means Lines 102, 103 and 104 will not run. The King Street Trolley continues to operate daily every 15 minutes between the King Street Metro and City Hall/Market Square, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. DASH Administrative Offices will be closed for the holiday.
Metrorail service will run on a weekend schedule from 5 a.m. to midnight, and Metrobus will run on a Saturday and supplemental schedule. Regular fares apply on holidays. Metro Access subscription trips are cancelled on the holiday, but riders may make reservation requests. Parking is free on federal holidays at Metro-owned lots and garages.
Virginia Railway Express, which includes a stop at Alexandria Union Station, does not run on Oct. 12.
The Alexandria Police Department will not enforce parking restrictions at meters and residential parking permit districts on Oct. 12, although temporary no-parking signs will be enforced. The city’s impound lot is closed on weekends and the Oct. 12 holiday and will accrue fees on weekends but not holidays.
Trash, recycling, curbside food waste and yard waste collections will be delayed by one day during the week of Oct. 12. Monday collections will fall on Tuesday, Tuesday collections will be moved to Wednesday, and so on. The Household Hazardous Waste Electronic Collection Drop-off Center will be closed on Oct. 12.
Emergency hotlines continue to be available 24/7 — the Child Protective Services Hotline at 703-746-5800; the Domestic Violence Hotline at 703-746-4911; the Emergency Mental Health Services or substance use crisis hotline at 703-746-3401; the Adult Protective Services hotline at 703-746-5778 or 988; and the Sexual Assault Hotline at 703-683-7273.
