Two local businesses in Del Ray plan to cut the ribbon on their spaces later this month, celebrating new spots that have opened over the past few months.
The Del Ray Business Association will host ribbon cuttings at Lifestyle & Performance Fitness (202 E. Custis Avenue) and the Department of Beer and Wine (2805 Mount Vernon Avenue) on Saturday, May 16.
Well Ray, Del Ray’s annual wellness festival, has been canceled this year as its organizers go back to the drawing board.
Previous festivals, which were held in June, closed down a large section of Mount Vernon Avenue and featured dozens of vendors practicing outdoor yoga, boxing, meditation, chiropractic assessments, nutrition counseling and more. This year would have marked the event’s 10-year anniversary.
The 19th annual Alexandria Community Cookout series launches today (Thursday), bringing weekly events with free food, activities and giveaways across the city.
More than 50 city agencies and nonprofits are participating in the weekly cookouts, which are expected to reach thousands of Alexandria residents this spring and summer. The first cookout, delayed by yesterday’s weather, will take place on its rain date today at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center from 6-7:30 p.m.
There are a variety of activities and events to take part in with loved ones this Mother’s Day weekend.
From themed bouquet making and painting to historical tours and live music, there’s something in store for all kinds of interests. Here’s the latest going on in the Port City from Friday, May 8, through Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 10.
Alexandria and the D.C. region are gearing up for an annual celebration of bike commuting next week.
On Friday, May 15, Alexandria will host six citywide “pit stops” for national Bike to Work Day, where cyclists can partake in special events and giveaways. The free event “encourages the public to consider bicycle commuting as an affordable, fun, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation to get to work,” according to a city announcement.
Rare Croatian stamps will be on display at the Torpedo Factory Art Center this week as part of a cultural exchange with Croatia, as Alexandria is expected to host the country’s national soccer team base camp during the 2026 World Cup.
The exhibit marks the first time that the stamp collection, “Discover Croatia: A Journey Through Tiny Windows of History,” has been moved outside of its home country. The exhibit by the Croatian Post and the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs was unveiled yesterday (Monday) at a ceremony with Croatian Ambassador to the U.S. Pjer Šimunović and Mayor Alyia Gaskins.
Several regional breweries will come together later this month for the annual ALX Craft Beer Festival, offering a taste of their signature brews.
The festival will feature a variety of ale, lager, pilsner and other beers from local makers, including host Atlas Brew Works. The festival is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Atlas Alexandria Brewery & Tap Room at 2429 Mandeville Lane.
Taco Tuesday this week promises to be something special in Alexandria as it coincides with Cinco de Mayo.
At Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street), the celebration of Mexico’s defeat over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 begins with 5-cent frozen margaritas from 9-10 a.m. The restaurant will also give out hundreds of straw sombreros and allow outdoor patio drinking until 10 p.m.
An Italian takeout and delivery spot in Old Town with customizable pastas is preparing to celebrate the launch of its new dine-in service.
Hank’s Pasta Bar, located above Hank’s Oyster Bar at 600 Montgomery Street, is officially launching dine-in service this Thursday, May 7, with a grand opening celebration scheduled next Thursday, May 14. The restaurant, an “elevated casual eatery,” has a full bar and offers a menu of “traditional Italian fare with contemporary touches,” according to a press release.
There’s much to do in Alexandria on this first weekend of May.
If you haven’t gotten Mother’s Day gifts yet, there are several shopping events to pick something out for Mom. There’s also an America250 concert and Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser at Lee-Fendall House.
After spending months recovering from flooding, Crooked Beat Records is closing its Del Ray basement location for the last time this Sunday (May 3).
Store owner Bill Daly and his staff were forced to close the store after catastrophic flooding in the building at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue on Jan. 11. The business closed briefly after losing an estimated $60,000 of merchandise, of which $23,500 was recovered through a GoFundMe campaign. The store reopened at the end of February.
