Del Ray Business Association

Published September 29, 2026 at 9:15AM

As seen at Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

From music to dance to all sorts of arts and crafts, Del Ray’s biggest arts festival will have plenty to draw visitors to the neighborhood on Saturday (Oct. 3).

The 31st annual Art on the Avenue, which closes Mount Vernon Avenue from Hume to Bellefonte Avenues the first Saturday of every October, will host more than 300 artists and dozens of activities for all ages from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival has become one of Del Ray’s most important events. The Del Ray Business Association estimates attendance could reach 50,000.

Around Town

Restaurant Week, Bands & Brews, Sidewalk Sale top busy weekend of Alexandria events

By Emily Leayman

Published August 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

Food at Elaine’s (via Cynthia Higgins for Visit Alexandria)

If you’re staying in town this weekend, there’s plenty to look forward to from Alexandria’s lineup of events.

Between the Summer Sidewalk Sale in Old Town, Bands & Brews in Del Ray and the ongoing Alexandria Restaurant Week across the city, there’s no shortage of event options.

Around Town

Bands & Brews returns to Del Ray with live music and specials at 20+ restaurants

By Emily Leayman

Published August 12, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated August 12, 2026 at 3:23PM

Bands & Brews art at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (via Del Ray Business Association/Facebook)

Thousands will flock to Del Ray this weekend for drinks and live music at the returning Bands & Brews Bar Crawl.

The sixth annual event will take place from 12:30-6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15. Hosted by the Del Ray Business Association, the event will provide a portion of proceeds to The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, which provides scholarships and personalized college advising to students seeking college, career and technical education.

News

The Dog Store extends lease in Del Ray until January 2027 as search for new home continues

By James Cullum

Published July 29, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 31, 2026 at 4:12PM

The Dog Store at 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue was originally set to close on June 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After announcing its impending closure last month, The Dog Store on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray has had its lease extended to January.

Owner Paul Haire confirmed to ALXnow that Ray Mahmood, the new owner of 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue, extended the pet shop’s lease to Jan. 6, 2027. Even though his rent is going up significantly, Haire credited former Mayor Bill Euille and locals Gayle Reuter and Bill Blackburn with convincing Mahmood to extend the lease.

Around Town

Del Ray’s newest restaurant Little Birdie takes flight on Mount Vernon Avenue

By James Cullum

Published June 23, 2026 at 11:55AM

The ribbon cutting at Little Birdie at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, June 23, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders were on hand Tuesday morning to cut the ribbon at Del Ray’s newest restaurant, Little Birdie.

After months of interior renovations, Matt Sloan and Eric Brannon opened the doors to their newest venture at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue. Brannon and Sloan also own Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar (1501 Mount Vernon Avenue), which opened in 2022 across the street and is a finalist for a regional RAMMY Award. Sloan is a former managing partner of Alexandria Restaurant Partners, which owns The Majestic, Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Ada’s on the River and numerous other Alexandria restaurants.

Around Town

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro dominates with top awards at Taste of Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Spice Kraft won the top awards at the Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro‘s butter chicken pot pie and avocado bhel chaat won both the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray on Sunday (June 7).

Under a hot sun, 17 local restaurants competed at the sold-out event in the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields. This year’s celebrity judge was Todd O’Leary, CEO of Visit Alexandria.

Around Town

Del Ray Business Association celebrates ribbon cuttings for two new storefronts

By James Cullum

Published May 18, 2026 at 2:45PM

Council Members John Taylor Chapman and Sandy Marks join the ribbon cutting at Lifestyle & Performance Fitness in Del Ray (via Lifestyle & Performance Fitness)

Two local businesses in Del Ray held ribbon cuttings at their new storefronts Saturday (May 16).

The Del Ray Business Association hosted the ribbon cuttings for Lifestyle & Performance Fitness (202 E. Custis Avenue) and the Department of Beer and Wine (2805 Mount Vernon Avenue). The events were attended by City Council Members John Taylor Chapman and Sandy Marks, along with DRBA president Lauren Fisher and board member Gayle Reuter.

Around Town

Tickets on sale for annual Taste of Del Ray festival next month

By Katie Taranto

Published May 18, 2026 at 12:30PM

Taste of Del Ray vendors in 2024 (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Tickets are now on sale for the Taste of Del Ray food festival, a yearly event spotlighting the neighborhood’s food scene.

Now in its 17th year, the event put on by the Del Ray Business Association is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). The event will feature samples and live music by Mars Rodeo as attendees vote on their favorite bites.

Around Town

Ribbon cuttings planned at fitness studio, beer and wine shop in Del Ray this month

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Department of Beer and Wine has moved to 2805 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Instagram)

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.

Around Town

Del Ray’s First Thursday dates reduced as citizens association takes over event

By Emily Leayman

Published April 29, 2026 at 8:30AM

First Thursday in Del Ray (via Del Ray Business Association/Facebook)

This will be the first year the Del Ray Business Association is not hosting First Thursday block parties since it founded the event nearly 30 years ago.

Del Ray’s First Thursdays have been turned over to the Del Ray Citizens Association, which runs other neighborhood events such as last weekend’s Del Ray GardenFest and the upcoming Del Ray House and Garden Tour on Saturday, May 9.

Around Town

Women’s Bar Crawl and fundraiser coming to Del Ray this Saturday

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2026 at 11:15AM

Participants of the Bands & Brews Summer Bar Crawl on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Saturday, August 22, 2021. (Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

A women’s bar crawl and fundraiser is coming to Del Ray this Saturday as Women’s History Month is now underway.

The bar crawl is scheduled from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, featuring all woman-owned spots like Rosemarino D’Italia and Piece Out Del Ray. The crawl is being hosted by Del Ray Psych and Wellness (1900 Mount Vernon Avenue).