It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Rocket Fizz, the soda pop and candy store in Fairlington Plaza.
Owner Tanya Kemp’s store at 1721 Centre Plaza is full of stocking stuffers, from vintage soda and candy, to tchotchkes and gag gifts like wind-up chattering teeth, Pez dispensers and bobbleheads. She told ALXnow that her shop does more business during the Christmas season than any other time of the year.
What did you read this past fall?
The Alexandria Library system shared its most-checked out books from mid-September through last week with ALXnow, with over a dozen fiction reads topping the charts. The library recorded a grand total of 1,811 check-outs of its top 20 titles during that period.
Fourteen Alexandria artists and groups have received nominations in a program recognizing musical talent across the D.C. area.
Alexandria’s nominees for the 37th Annual Wammie Music Awards represent several genres, from funk and folk and hip-hop and pop. The voting period for the 2026 awards is now open and will run through Jan. 15, ahead of the March 28 awards show in D.C.
Meet Diesel, a sweet, wrinkly-faced pup at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who is ready to go home for the holidays with fur-ever humans.
The three-year-old cutie patootie is about 89 pounds, “with a heart to match his impressive physical presence,” according to an AWLA volunteer. The social pup is “full of love and curiosity.”
How are you ringing in the new year in Alexandria?
A number of local bars and restaurants are doing it up in style on Dec. 31. From Old Town to Del Ray, Arlandria and the West End, here’s a roundup of shindigs that will send you into the early morning hours of 2026.
If you visited Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library recently, you might have noticed a colorful collection of pom-poms planted in the grounds outside.
The whimsical pom-pom garden encouraged donations to the Alexandria Library’s annual Yarn Storm drive, which collected some 400 hats, mittens and scarves for donation to an Alexandria shelter.
One of five winning $50,000 Powerball tickets announced yesterday (Wednesday) was purchased at an Alexandria convenience store.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Tiger Market and Bakery at 3903 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, according to the Virginia Lottery.
Alexandria is calling on artists, makers and small businesses to apply for vendor spots at PatCon 2026, the city’s grassroots anime festival.
Vendor registration is open now through Jan. 23 for the festival, which is happening from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 4653 Taney Avenue. The annual celebration is hosted by the recreation center’s Anime Society and is free to attend.
Finn & Fire, a new international restaurant specializing in seafood and steaks, hopes to debut in Old Town in late winter.
The new eatery is preparing to replace Indian restaurant Kismet at 111 N. Pitt Street sometime in March, owner Ghazal Amir told ALXnow. The business previously hoped for a January opening but is still securing its permits.
In a room packed with toys and books, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office gathered more than 50 gift bags for kids today (Tuesday), hoping to spread cheer to children of inmates this holiday season.
Since last month, the office has collected gifts for the families of 55 inmates, with kids receiving five gifts each. It’s all part of Operation Elf, the office’s annual holiday toy drive.
A popular Indian and Chinese restaurant at Cameron Station is preparing to close for good.
Indochen, located at 4906 Brenman Park Drive, is shuttering permanently at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, multiple staff members confirmed to ALXnow.
