As residents prepare to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, cookouts and beach getaways, the City of Alexandria and other agencies serving the city have announced closures and other schedule changes for the holiday weekend.
Because July 4 falls on a Saturday, the observed holiday for city government and other agencies is Friday, July 3. All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed for the Independence Day observance (Friday, July 3).
Alexandrians looking for fireworks events on July 4 will have to travel outside the city, but the long-running Rosemont Fourth of July provides an alternative without fireworks. This year’s Alexandria 277th and USA 250th Birthday Celebration with fireworks will happen on Saturday, July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street).
The Alexandria Fire Department reminded residents that firework use is prohibited, including sparklers and novelty items. Residents can report fireworks concerns to 703-746-4444 or call 911 for emergencies.
Additional holiday closures include Alexandria City Public Schools, Alexandria General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Court Service Unit, Circuit Court, the Clerk of Circuit Court, the Alexandria Health Department, Flora Krause Casey Health Center, the Teen Wellness Center clinics, recreation centers, nature centers, and the Virginia DMV. Alexandria Library locations will be closed on July 3 and 4.
On July 3, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, Freedom House Museum, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most museums will be open for regular hours on July 4, but the Alexandria Archaeology Museum will be closed, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will be open until 7 p.m. The Torpedo Factory Art Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 3 and be closed on July 4.
While recreation centers will be closed, Memorial Pool, Old Town Pool, and Warwick Pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on July 3 and 4. Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 4. Great Waves Waterpark at Cameron Run Regional Park is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 3 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4. The free Potomac Yard Park Interactive Fountain is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Parking enforcement will be suspended in metered spaces and residential permit parking districts on July 3. The city’s impound lot will be closed July 3 and 4, and fees will accrue on Saturday and Sunday but not July 3.
DASH Bus will run on a Saturday-Sunday schedule on July 3, and Lines 102, 103, and 104 will not operate. The free King Street Trolley operates between the King Street Metro and City Hall/Market Square every 15 minutes, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, including holidays. DASH Administrative Offices will be closed for the holiday observance.
Metro will run on a weekend schedule on July 3 and will make Metrorail and Metrobus free after 5 p.m. on July 4.
Alexandrians should also be aware of regional travel restrictions in place for July 4 festivities.
Reagan National Airport will not run flights for several afternoon hours on July 3 and after noon on July 4. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said terminal services will be reduced until DCA flights resume on July 5.
The U.S. Coast Guard will close all waters of the Potomac River for recreational boaters from the Francis Scott Key Bridge to just south of the 14th Street Bridge between 8 a.m. on July 2 and 6 a.m. on July 5.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will lift most highway work zones and temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Thursday, July 2 until noon on Monday, July 6. Holiday travelers can use VDOT’s travel trends map to see historic data on when highways and interstates become the busiest over Memorial Day weekend.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be open for adoptions from 12-7 p.m. July 3 and be closed on July 3. Animal and wildlife emergencies can be directed to 703-746-4444.
City trash and recycling pickups will not be affected by the July 4 holiday. The Household Hazardous Waste Electronic Collection Drop-off Center will be closed July 3 and 4.
Emergency hotlines remain operational 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.
