festival

Around Town

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

By Emily Leayman
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.

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

Del Ray Business Association cancels yearly ‘Well Ray’ festival

By James Cullum
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.

Go to Del Ray Business Association cancels yearly ‘Well Ray’ festival Read more
Around Town

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

By Katie Taranto
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.

Go to Annual ALX Craft Beer Festival coming to Atlas Brew Works this month Read more
Around Town

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

By Emily Leayman
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.

Go to Free timed tours of four tall ships lined up at Old Town’s Sails on the Potomac festival Read more
News

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style cruises back into Alexandria in May

By James Cullum
The Old Town Festival of Speed and Style, May 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Attention exotic car lovers: the seventh annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style is right around the corner.

The festival returns from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, showcasing rare vehicles along the 400–600 blocks of King Street and the 100 blocks of North and South St. Asaph Street and North and South Pitt Street. Organizers expect attendance to top 40,000 people.

Go to The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style cruises back into Alexandria in May Read more
Around Town

Annual ‘Raclette Fest’ returns this month, celebrating melted tableside cheese in Del Ray

By Emily Leayman
Raclette, a type of Alpine cheese served at Cheesetique's Raclette Fest (courtesy of Cheesetique)

Cheese lovers can flock to Cheesetique in Del Ray this month for the returning “Raclette Fest,” a ski lodge-inspired event centered around the tableside cheese wheel and other specials.

Raclette Fest will run from Monday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, March 15, following a kickoff Après-Ski Party from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2411 Mount Vernon Avenue. The festival name references a type of Alpine cheese melted from a wheel and served tableside onto bread, seasonal vegetables and sausage.

Go to Annual ‘Raclette Fest’ returns this month, celebrating melted tableside cheese in Del Ray Read more
Around Town

Winter Book Festival will draw more than 20 authors to Alexandria library

By Emily Leayman
The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

Bookworms of all ages can gather for author discussions and book signings during the Alexandria Library’s Winter Book Festival next month.

The festival is expected to draw more than 20 authors for discussions on their journeys to publishing, as well as to sell and sign copies of their books. The free event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen Street). Registration is not required.

Go to Winter Book Festival will draw more than 20 authors to Alexandria library Read more
Around Town

Alexandria Cider Festival brings tastings, food trucks to Old Town this weekend

By James Cullum
Assorted ciders, beer and mead (image via Meritt Thomas/Unsplash)

An appealing annual cider festival is right around the corner in Old Town.

The Alexandria Cider Festival will return to Lloyd House at 220 N. Washington Street this Saturday, Nov. 22, with cider tastings from Lost Boy Cider and Ciders from Mars, live music, food, games and a souvenir glass for ticket holders.

Go to Alexandria Cider Festival brings tastings, food trucks to Old Town this weekend Read more
News

PHOTOS: Thousands attend the 30th annual Art on the Avenue in Del Ray

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

Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood was packed with art lovers for the 30th annual Art on the Avenue festival in Del Ray on Saturday (Oct. 4).

Hundreds of juried artists sold their work, live music was performed on four stages and the event and its founder Pat Miller were recognized by Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th), Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5th) and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley.

Go to PHOTOS: Thousands attend the 30th annual Art on the Avenue in Del Ray Read more
News

Art on the Avenue festival needs volunteers, donations for 30th year

By James Cullum
Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Want to judge a pie-eating contest? A popular art festival coming to Del Ray next month is seeking volunteers and donations.

The 30th annual Art on the Avenue is coming to Mount Vernon Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 4, and the event brings thousands to the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The event features sellable art from hundreds of artists, live music, family-friendly events, and more. The Del Ray Business Association hosts it.

Go to Art on the Avenue festival needs volunteers, donations for 30th year Read more
News

Housing Alexandria hosts Fall Festival fundraiser Oct. 9

By James Cullum
Housing Alexandria staff will celebrate their annual Fall Festival fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 (courtesy image)

Housing Alexandria is hosting a “laid-back gala” next month with music, games and food.

This year, the annual fundraising event will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Garden Alexandria (5380 Eisenhower Avenue) and will celebrate the nonprofit’s completion of the Cardinal Path Homes project. The project provides 36 townhomes and condos to first-time homebuyers, available via lottery.

Go to Housing Alexandria hosts Fall Festival fundraiser Oct. 9 Read more
View More Stories