Alexandria will be buzzing with activity this weekend as the city’s popular Restaurant Week kicks off, with over 90 local eateries participating. At the same time, the George Washington Cherry Challenge is in full swing, with restaurants across town serving up cherry-inspired dishes.
If shopping is more up to your speed, the Alexandria Warehouse Sale returns on Saturday and Sunday, where bargain hunters can snag deals from over 40 local boutiques.
Dive into the complete list of events below, and don’t forget to submit your own happenings to ALXnow! Reminder – If you go to an event or show you read about here, be sure to tell the venue you read about it on ALXnow!
Friday, January 31
Things To Do
- Alexandria Restaurant Week at 90+ participating restaurants
- George Washington Cherry Challenge at participating restaurants
- 11 a.m.: 14th Anniversary Kick-Off at Port City Brewing Co.
- 12 p.m.: Visual Humor Art Exhibit at Del Ray Artisans
- 3 p.m.: City Council Retreat – Day 1 at American Physical Therapy Association
- 3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 4 p.m.: alt.buzz at the Lighthouse Lounge at Port City Brewing Co.
- 5 p.m.: Twist It: Bar Spoon Making & Mixology at Wear Ever Jewelry
- 5:30 p.m.: Candle Making Workshop at PlantHouse
- 7 p.m.: Tavern Games Night at Lloyd House
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Chris Timbers at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Crossfire at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Too Extra Band at 9 p.m.
- Clyde’s at Mark Center: Shartel & Hume at 9 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: We Ain’t Famous But We’re FAF: New Year Brand New Funny at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Music Bingo at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Lloyd House: Tavern Games Night at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Practically Einstein & Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Jay Nixon at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere Music Hall: Will Downing at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse Restaurant: Broken Ground at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 1
Things To Do
- Alexandria Restaurant Week at 90+ participating restaurants
- Alexandria Warehouse Sale at 40+ participating boutiques
- George Washington Cherry Challenge at participating restaurants
- 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.: Saturday Run at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
- 9 a.m.: Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance at Redella S. “Del” Pepper Community Resource Center
- 9 a.m.: City Council Retreat – Day 2 at American Physical Therapy Association
- 9:45 a.m.: Hoppy Hour: Meditation with bunnies at Lost Boy Cider
- 10 a.m.: Fitness At The Brewery at Aslin Alexandria
- 10 a.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Exhibition at City Hall
- 10 a.m.: Boomerang Bags at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 10:30 a.m.: VETOGA Yoga Series – hosted by Adam Shaw, of Spiro Spero Yoga at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: The African American Cowboy at Lyceum
- 11 a.m.: 14th Anniversary Celebration at Port City Brewing Co.
- 11 a.m.: Crafternoon: Make a Coquette-Inspired Picture Frame at Made in ALX
- 1 p.m.: Face Painting plus Arts & Crafts for Kids at Hops N Shine
- 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.: In Wonderland at George Washington Masonic National Memorial Theater
- 1:30 p.m.: Community Listening Session with ICRPB Members at Alfred Street Baptist Church
- 2 p.m.: Handcraft Tuesday – Weekend Edition at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 2 p.m.: The National African American Read-In at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Oddball Cinema – Lost in America at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Board Game Cafe at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Knitting: Cast On (Beginning) Workshop at Made in ALX
- 5:30 p.m.: An Intimate Reception with General Washington at Historic Duvall House
- 6:30 p.m.: Boozy Bonsai Workshop at PlantHouse
- 7 p.m.: BANDing TOGETHER – the Annual CAC Gala at Durant Memorial Center
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ Mike Rodriquez at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Ryan Forrester at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: BNHLS Album Release 2025 Showcase at 7 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Alexandria Alternative – A Food Not Bombs Benefit at 6:30 p.m.
- George Washington Masonic National Memorial Theater: In Wonderland at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio at 7 p.m.
- Lyceum: The African American Cowboy at 11 a.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Practically Einstein & Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere Music Hall: Will Downing at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse Restaurant: Lloyd Braun Band at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
Sunday, February 2
Things To Do
- Alexandria Restaurant Week at 90+ participating restaurants
- Alexandria Warehouse Sale at 40+ participating boutiques
- George Washington Cherry Challenge at participating restaurants
- 8 a.m.: Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
- 8:30 a.m: West End Farmers Market at 4800 Brenman Park
- 9 a.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market at 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave.
- 9 a.m.: Old Town North Farmers Market at Montgomery Park
- 12 p.m.: Dog and cat adoption event at PetSmart Alexandria
- 1 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
- 1 p.m.: Writers Group at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Sunday Baby Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: George Washington’s Alexandria Walking Tour in Old Town Alexandria
- 2 p.m.: Learn Iris Paper Folding at Made in ALX
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Live music at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Jazz Brunch with Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Brian Gaffney at 5 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Open Mic at 7:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 11:30 a.m., Walt Johnson Trio at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
Ryan Belmore is an award-winning news publisher, editor, and journalist. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he relocated to Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife in 2021. He serves on the City of Alexandria’s Board of Zoning Appeals and previously served on the City’s Commission For The Arts. Contact Ryan at [email protected].
Photo via Port City Brewing Company/Facebook
