Around Town

This December weekend in Alexandria brings a hefty helping of holiday cheer with festive concerts and markets, bar crawls and opportunities for holiday light viewing.

Locals can get into the spirit with the Alexandria Citizens Band’s holiday sing-along tonight, or try their hand at cookie decorating at the Made in VA store. Folk rock legend Don McLean will make a special appearance at The Birchmere on Sunday night, where he’ll perform a mix of classics and holiday tunes.


Around Town

Three local businesses along King Street in Old Town will be open late tonight (Friday) for a holiday-themed celebration.

Red Barn Mercantile (1117 King Street), Pippin Toy Co. (1310 King Street) and Penny Post (1201 King Street) will remain open from 8 p.m. to midnight for “Midnight Merriment” festivities. The shops plan to offer refreshments and activities throughout the night as shoppers enjoy “the magic of Old Town Alexandria after dark,” according to a release.


Around Town

An Alexandria nonprofit is requesting donations of women’s pajamas for its residents who are transitioning back into the community after incarceration.

Friends of Guest House, located at 1 E. Luray Avenue, is collecting women’s pajama sets to provide for its residential program participants during the holiday season. Realtor Maureen Clyne has collected hundreds of sets since starting the annual effort seven years ago.


Around Town

Alexandria’s 25th annual Holiday Boat Parade brought gleaming, spirited displays of holiday cheer to Old Town’s waterfront on Saturday night.

Visit Alexandria has announced the winners of the parade today (Monday), with exhibits ranging from a hot pink Chappell Roan theme that captured “Most Spirited Crew” to a playful “Hanukkah Octopus” named Happy that won “Hardiest Soul.” Here’s a look at this year’s winners and categories.


News

The Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site’s annual Christmas in Camp program returns this Saturday, offering a glimpse into Civil War-era holiday celebrations.

The event includes historical reenactors interacting across the museum’s decorated winter camp settings, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria. The educational program lasts from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum — one of the Union Army’s best-preserved forts in the Defenses of Washington — located at 4301 W. Braddock Road.


Around Town

Science kits, race cars, Legos and sport balls.

Those are just some of the donation ideas Volunteer Alexandria is calling on the community to contribute to its annual holiday drive, Toys4ALX, which closes next Thursday, Dec. 11. Volunteers are aiming to collect more than 3,500 new, unwrapped toys for 700 kids and counting across the city.


News

It’s a marshmallow world in Alexandria this morning (Friday) as the snowy regional forecast is expected to continue into the afternoon.

The National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Advisory will remain in effect until 4 p.m. today, with total snow accumulation estimated around one inch. As a result, residents should “plan on slippery road conditions.”


Around Town

Two of Alexandria’s iconic holiday season parades will lead to some road closures throughout Old Town this weekend.

The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights both take place this Saturday, prompting the closures as well as reserved parking and no-parking zone enforcement.


News

Several roads in Del Ray will close tomorrow (Thursday) to accommodate the neighborhood’s 50th annual Turkey Trot.

Closures will be in effect from approximately 6-11:30 a.m., starting at Mount Vernon Avenue between Braddock Road and Glendale Avenue, according to an announcement from the Alexandria Police Department.


News

Looking to get out on Thanksgiving and Plaid Friday?

Alexandria has lifted parking restrictions at metered spaces and residential permit parking districts throughout the city tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday.


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