festival | ALXnow

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.

News

AWLA’s Paws in the Park returns in October with largest adoptable animal section to date

By Emily Leayman

Published September 17, 2026 at 3:45PM

Paws in the Park (via Duane Rogers for AWLA)

As the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, its fall festival will be bigger than ever.

Paws in the Park will return to Oronoco Bay Park, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The annual event celebrates all things animals, with vendors, adoptable animals, live music, and entertainment for kids and adults. The first 1,000 attendees will get a swag bag.

Around Town

Around the World Cultural Food Festival returning to Old Town Aug. 29

By James Cullum

Published August 19, 2026 at 3:45PM

Around the World Cultural Food Festival (Ethan Yuan Photography via Visit Alexandria)

A popular multicultural food festival is returning to Old Town at the end of the month.

The 10th annual Around the World Cultural Food Festival will bring the flavors of 20 countries, live performances representing 12 countries and more than 100 artisan and craft vendors to Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) on Saturday, Aug. 29. The festival is free to attend and will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Around Town

Port City Brewing hosting third annual Port to Port Beer Festival this Saturday

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2026 at 11:45AM

The third annual Port to Port Beer Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 (via Port City Brewing Company)

For those pursuing hoppiness this weekend, look no further than the Port City Brewing Company’s third annual Port to Port Beer Festival on Saturday (Aug. 8).

From noon to 4 p.m., more than 20 breweries from across the country are bringing their best brews for the festival at Port City (3950 Wheeler Avenue). Tickets cost $60 and get you a bottomless five-ounce glass for unlimited pours, access to outdoor yard games and music from a DJ.

News

Mayor Gaskins urges self-care after her dehydration scare during Sails on the Potomac

By Emily Leayman

Published June 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins (staff photo by James Cullum)

After a health scare and visit to the emergency room, Mayor Alyia Gaskins shared some advice for residents: “take care of yourself.”

Gaskins ended up in the emergency room due to severe dehydration during Sails on the Potomac‘s opening ceremony on Friday (June 12). City leaders were giving remarks to kick off the weekend-long festival.

Around Town

VA250 Mobile Museum to bring American Revolution history to Alexandria’s Sails on the Potomac

By Emily Leayman

Published June 11, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated June 12, 2026 at 11:19AM

VA250 Mobile Museum (via Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission)

VA250 Mobile Museum has provided an update to ALXnow on the museum’s opening hours.

A traveling museum led by Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission will make a stop at Alexandria’s waterfront for the Sails on the Potomac festival this weekend.

Around Town

West End Business Association brings expanded ‘Best of the West’ festival to Ben Brenman Park

By Emily Leayman

Published June 2, 2026 at 3:45PM

Beeliner Diner at Best of the West in 2023 (via West End Business Association/Facebook)

The West End Business Association continues to look for ways to raise the visibility of West End businesses with its returning festival in a larger-than-ever format.

Best of the West will return for a third year from 12-6 p.m. Saturday, June 6 in Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) in the Cameron Station neighborhood. The free event will have restaurants and other business vendors, community organization booths, a Port City Brewing Company beer garden, arts and crafts and a live music stage. Ben Brenman Drive will be closed for booths leading up to the park’s gazebo.

Around Town

Volunteers needed to help run four tall ship tours at festival next month in Old Town

By Emily Leayman

Published May 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

As Alexandria prepares for a major waterfront festival next month, the Office of Historic Alexandria is seeking hundreds of volunteers to assist with four tall ship tours.

The city put out a call for volunteers to take shifts at the Sails on the Potomac waterfront festival from June 12-14, one of the city’s America250 events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A highlight of the three-day festival will be free timed tours of four tall ships — Swedish Navy warship replica Kalmar Nyckel, Royal Navy schooner replica Sultana, historic fishing vessel Gazela and Alexandria’s own Continental Navy ship replica Providence.

Around Town

Del Ray Business Association cancels yearly ‘Well Ray’ festival

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2026 at 11:55AM

Yoga at a previous Well Ray festival (photo courtesy Del Ray Business Association)

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.

Around Town

Annual ALX Craft Beer Festival coming to Atlas Brew Works this month

By Katie Taranto

Published May 5, 2026 at 11:50AM | Updated May 5, 2026 at 1:04PM

Atlas Brew Works beer (courtesy of Atlas Brew Works)

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.

Around Town

Free timed tours of four tall ships lined up at Old Town’s Sails on the Potomac festival

By Emily Leayman

Published April 6, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tickets are being released for timed tours of four tall ships at Sails on the Potomac, one of Alexandria’s events celebrating America250.

The festival will coincide with the ALX Jazz Fest from June 12-14 at Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street). The city is planning numerous events for America250, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.