holiday | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published December 23, 2020 at 9:00AM

What’s Open and What’s Closed Over Holidays — “All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed on Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, in observance of Christmas; and on Friday, January 1, 2021, in observance of New Year’s Day.” [Zebra]

City Releases Guide to Safely Celebrating Holidays — “This year, the best gift for friends and family is continued good health. With COVID-19 cases surging, it is more important than ever to stay home, wear a mask, maintain 6 feet of distance, and wash your hands frequently.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Alexandria Shopping Center to Host Free Holiday Ornament Pop-Up This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published December 17, 2020 at 3:30PM

Christmas tree looking a little sparse? The Alexandria Commons Shopping Center at 3233 Duke Street is hosting a pop-up on Saturday (Dec. 19) that will include a free ornament decorating kit.

“Celebrate the holidays by decorating your own holiday ornament!” the center said on its Facebook page.

News

As The Table Turns: New Hobbyists Boost Sales for Old Town Record Shop

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated December 17, 2020 at 10:38AM

Crooked Beat Records is now closed at 802 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town. (Photo via Crooked Beat Records/Facebook)

Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Annie Lennox… It’s been sounding a lot like Christmas inside Crooked Beat Records for the last month. Even though the record shop missed a few beats when it closed in April and May, sales have increased due to a new generation of hobbyists.

The hobbyists have turned sales back on the right track, according to Crooked Beats’ Paloma Alcala.

News

The Show Must Go On: Two Holiday Favorites Still Happening in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 14, 2020 at 4:30PM

The Metropolitan School of the Arts is presenting a virtual performance of The Nutcracker on Dec. 26 and 27 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. (Photo via Metropolitan School of the Arts)

Alexandria is famous for celebrating the holiday season, and there are still a couple of in-person and virtual performances to help get into the spirit of things.

Tickets are still available for the Little Theatre of Alexandria‘s in-person rendition of A Christmas Carol, which runs until Dec. 19. The theatre has limited capacity to 46 guests, and seating is spaced out so that only up to groups of three people from the same group can watch the show together.

News

BPAC Plans Christmas Bike Rides Through Del Ray This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published December 8, 2020 at 4:30PM

While holiday festivities like the Scottish Christmas Parade are being cancelled around town due to coronavirus concerns, the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is still planning to go forward with the organization’s 10th annual Alexandria Holiday Lights Ride and Walk.

The annual ride takes cyclists and pedestrians on a tour of the best of Del Ray’s lights. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, from 5:30-7 p.m.

News

New Holiday Art Coming to Old Town Street Lamps

By Vernon Miles

Published December 4, 2020 at 11:40AM

This weekend, the Old Town Business Association is planning to install a holiday update to Alexandria’s street lamps.

“Starting today, the art is being installed on the selected lamp posts in Old Town,” the Old Town Business Association said in a press release. “The arts are alive in Old Town this holiday season with the debut of its first-holiday art walk.”

News

New Dog-Bar Hosts First Ugly Sweater Party

By Vernon Miles

Published December 1, 2020 at 2:30PM

A new local dog-themed bar and restaurant wants to help you and your pooch get in the spirit of Christmas.

Brewski’s Barkhaus, a restaurant near Potomac Yard that features an off-leash dog-park, opened in October and is planning to host an Ugly Sweater Party to celebrate the holidays.

News

Alexandria Living Legend to Host Upcoming Kwanzaa Workshop

By Vernon Miles

Published November 30, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 2:33PM

Alexandria Living Legend Lillian Patterson, a fourth-generation Alexandrian and former curator of the Alexandria Black History Museum (ABHM), is planning to host an annual workshop with the museum this weekend to discuss the holiday Kwanzaa.

News

Visit Alexandria Announces Virtual ‘Shop Small Week’ to Boost Holiday Shopping

By James Cullum

Published November 9, 2020 at 3:45PM

With parades, festivals and even the Christmas tree lighting in Old Town all impacted by COVID-19, the holiday season will be dramatically different for Alexandria business owners.

Bearing that in mind, Visit Alexandria just announced Alexandria Shop Small Week, a new virtual promotional series from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6 with deals and giveaways to help make up for losses to this year’s post-Thanksgiving period of holiday shopping.

News

Did You Know: Hundreds of Alexandria Families Benefit from this Annual Holiday Sharing Program

By James Cullum

Published October 22, 2020 at 5:00PM

Alexandria has identified hundreds of families, older adults and kids with disabilities who are eligible to receive gifts in the Fund for Alexandria’s Child Holiday Sharing Program.

The deadline to send in gift cards and donations is November 13, and all contributions are tax-deductible.

News

Visit Alexandria to Discuss Holiday Marketing Strategy

By James Cullum

Published October 20, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated October 21, 2020 at 10:32AM

With events canceled throughout the region this year due to the pandemic, Visit Alexandria will conduct a virtual conversation on Wednesday (October 21) on its marketing strategy for this holiday season.

The holidays are traditionally a busy time in Alexandria, but this year’s Scottish Christmas Walk is among the events that has been canceled. In fact, the city’s holiday events page has no listings.