Around Town | ALXnow

PHOTOS: Alexandria’s 277th birthday fireworks proceed on the waterfront despite rain

Published July 13, 2026 at 11:45AM

The grand finale fireworks display at Alexandria’s 277th birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 11, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s 277th birthday ended with a bang and a fizzle on Saturday (July 11), as the evening of entertainment at Oronoco Bay Park was capped with a dazzling fireworks show and a brief rainstorm.

Raindrops started to fall just before 9:30 p.m. as the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra started to play Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, sending hundreds of people under cover of tents and umbrellas at the very start of the fireworks. The evening was otherwise overcast and cool, and city leaders, the town crier and poet laureate rang in the annual celebration onstage and handed out birthday cupcakes from Wegmans.

Alexandria birthday fireworks show leads July 10-12 weekend events

By Emily Leayman

Published July 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

Alexandria’s birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A fireworks show tops the list of events happening around Alexandria for the city’s birthday weekend.

While many communities around the D.C. region held their fireworks last week, Alexandria’s event falls on the weekend after July 4. This year, Alexandria celebrates its 277th birthday and America’s 250th birthday. Alexandrians have the option to attend the full event with performances and vendors at Oronoco Bay Park or catch the fireworks in a less crowded spot.

Adoptable pet of the week: Mac the fun-loving sidekick

By Emily Leayman

Published July 9, 2026 at 3:45PM

Adoptable Mac (via AWLA)

Meet Mac, a fun companion who hasn’t met a person he didn’t like.

Mac will enthusiastically greet you with doggie kisses and loves to play games like tug-of-war. He also likes to show off his smarts with tricks like “sit” and “down.” But he’s ready to learn more with the bribery of treats.

French restaurants in Alexandria line up special menus, events for Bastille Day

By Emily Leayman

Published July 9, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated July 10, 2026 at 10:45AM

French flag at Bastille (via Bastille/Facebook)

Several Alexandria restaurants will celebrate the spirit of the French Revolution with special Bastille Day events.

Bastille Brasserie & Bar (606 N. Fayette Street) never passes up the chance to have a big celebration for its namesake holiday.

Alexandria entrepreneur launches app to help men beat the ‘friendship recession’

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Choros users hanging out at a local indoor beerfest (courtesy of Alex Vans)

Alex Vans wants guys to have more friends.

With American men in the midst of a nationwide friendship recession, the Alexandria resident recently launched the newest version of Choros, an application dedicated to helping men in the D.C. area make real connections. The app sifts through more than 100 events for groups of three to six guys based on their preferences, from ax throwing to playing pool and watching the World Cup,

Adoptable pet of the week: Mocha will tag along on your outdoor adventures

By Emily Leayman

Published July 2, 2026 at 3:15PM

Adoptable Mocha (via AWLA)

Meet Mocha, a former stray who will melt the heart of her next owner.

Mocha came to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria as a stray and is looking for a home of her own. She prefers the company of people over toys and would love to accompany her owner wherever they venture to.

Del Ray getting second record store, replacing play café this August

By James Cullum

Published July 2, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated July 2, 2026 at 2:53PM

Crooked Beat Records at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del Ray is seeing a vinyl boom as another record store is coming to Del Ray this August, one block from the new location of Crooked Beat Records on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Michael Babin, principal at the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, confirmed to ALXnow that the company is closing Mulberry Lane Play Café at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue and replacing it with a record store. The news comes as Crooked Beat Records recently announced that it is also aiming for an August opening at 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue.

Crooked Beat Records aims for August reopening at new home in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 1, 2026 at 1:45PM

Crooked Beat Records is moving to 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Crooked Beat Records is staying in Del Ray.

Store owner Bill Daly announced on Tuesday (June 30) that the record store is expected to open at its new 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue location in August. Daly and his staff were forced to close their previous basement location up the street at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue after significant flooding in January.

Alexandria’s Bastille, Andy’s Pizza collect awards at regional RAMMYS

By Emily Leayman

Published June 30, 2026 at 3:15PM

Bastille Brasserie & Bar's Juan Ramirez won the Manager of the Year award at the 2026 RAMMYS (via Bastille/Facebook)

Two restaurants with Alexandria ties have earned RAMMY awards from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

Winners of the 44th Annual RAMMYs Awards were announced yesterday (Monday) at a gala at The Wharf’s Arena Stage in D.C. The 20 categories of the RAMMYS recognize the D.C. region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.

CSX train celebrating America’s 250th makes stop at Alexandria Union Station

By James Cullum

Published June 30, 2026 at 2:45PM

Commemorative CSX train at Alexandria’s Union Station, June 30, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A CSX train commemorating America’s 250th birthday traveled through Alexandria to Washington, D.C. today (June 30).

The train features two America 250 locomotives, two heritage units in original 1827 Baltimore & Ohio colors, and 10 historic executive business cars used for presidential movements, according to CSX. It left Alexandria’s Union Station shortly after 11 a.m., crossing the CSX Long Bridge over the Potomac River and arriving at Union Station in D.C.

Mayor Gaskins launches Art In Every Space initiative to display art in more businesses

By Emily Leayman

Published June 30, 2026 at 9:15AM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks before City Councilwoman Sandy Marks is sworn into office on May 12, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced her new initiative Art In Every Space, piloted yesterday (Monday), to bring art to more businesses in Alexandria.

The initiative places original artwork by Alexandria-area artists in local businesses at no cost to either the artists or businesses. According to the mayor, the initiative supports the work of Alexandria’s art organizations by providing additional locations for artists to display their work.