Registration for Alexandria’s winter recreation program, with activities ranging from dog obedience training to cooking, opens soon.
On Wednesday, December 18, registration will open online and in person for city residents at the Registration and Reservation Office at Lee Center (1108 Jefferson Street). Registration for nonresidents starts Dec. 20.
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will perform its holiday concert series “Nutcracker Potpourri” next month.
On Saturday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m., ASO Music Director Maestro James Ross will lead the orchestra in a hybrid version of The Nutcracker, with excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s ballet suite and a Duke Ellington swing series.
Four historical sites around Old Town and beyond will participate in this year’s Yuletide by Candlelight event.
The holiday event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, from 5-9 p.m.
The Cora Kelly School for Math, Science, and Technology has received a donation of 16 new musical instruments.
The magnet elementary school was chosen as this year’s beneficiary from Karaoke in the Capital, an annual charity event hosted by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) in partnership with the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation — a non-profit that donates musical instruments to under-funded music programs.
A restaurant in Del Ray has announced that its 100-seat outdoor beer garden will stay open year-round.
The Garden (1503 Mt. Vernon Avenue) has winterized their beer garden, adding blankets, festive lights, heaters, fire pits, and yes, private igloos.
An Alexandria boutique gym has moved to a new location in the West End.
Sand and Steel Fitness opened in a larger, “state-of-the-art” space at 5418 Eisenhower Avenue on November 1. Previously, the gym was located along Alfred Street in Old Town.
A new mixed-use apartment complex scheduled to open in the West End in early December has debuted three new pieces of public art.
At the front of the $200 million complex, Array at West Alex, artist Harry McDaniel has built a kinetic sculpture garden titled “En Pointe.” The artwork, which took three years to sculpt, involves large, abstract sculptures of people moving slowly in circles.
Alexandria’s latest cupcake bakery will celebrate its successful opening with a party this weekend.
On Saturday, November 16 from 12-2:30 p.m., guests are invited to Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery (1506 Mount Vernon Avenue) for free mini cupcakes, face painting, and more.
In celebration of Cider Week Virginia, Alexandria will host a cider festival next week.
Hosted by Historic Alexandria, the hard cider tasting event is set for Saturday, November 23 from 1-5 p.m. at the Lloyd House in Old Town (220 N. Washington Street).
Over 22 local artisans are participating in the first Alexandria Makers Market next week.
The holiday event is set for Sunday, November 24 from 12-6 p.m. at Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Avenue).
Alexandria’s historic Torpedo Factory Art Center will honor two big anniversaries this weekend as the building turns 100 and the Art Center turns 45.
A celebratory Anniversary Ball will take place this Saturday, November 16 from 7-11 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory (105 N. Union Street). Guests are invited to “dress to impress and celebrate like it’s 1919 or 1974,” per the event website, and tickets are still available for $75.
