New Year's | ALXnow

Published January 22, 2026 at 2:45PM

Sutton Bullard (bottom left) with a friend and family at Washington Capitals game on New Year's Eve (courtesy of Jolie Berman)

A young Caps fan and cancer survivor from Alexandria rang in the new year with surprise tickets to see the team and reunite with her favorite player earlier this month.

Sutton Bullard, 7, spent New Year’s Eve with her family watching the Caps defeat the New York Rangers, and later reuniting with goaltender Logan Thompson. It was the end of an eventful year for Sutton, who in November celebrated the end of her chemotherapy with a bell-ringing ceremony, in which Thompson had paid a surprise visit.

Around Town

Winning $1M lottery ticket sold at Del Ray convenience store

By Katie Taranto

Published January 2, 2026 at 9:15AM

7-Eleven at 2108 Mount Vernon Avenue (via Google Maps)

One Virginia Lottery player is starting off the new year with a winning $1 million ticket purchased in Del Ray.

The ticket was one of five $1 million winners in the lottery’s New Year’s Millionaire Raffle, announced yesterday (Thursday). It was purchased at the 7-Eleven at 2108 Mount Vernon Avenue and beat one in 125,000 odds to win.

Around Town

The top 30 stories of 2025 in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published December 31, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

At ALXnow, we’re looking back at this year one last time before turning the page to 2026.

This New Year’s Eve, we’ve prepared a roundup of our most-read stories of the year. In 2025, readers stayed up-to-date on breaking news and public safety, city government and schools, the local business scene and more.

News

SoberRide offering free Lyft rides in Alexandria for New Year’s Eve

By Katie Taranto

Published December 31, 2025 at 10:00AM

SoberRide vehicle (via Washington Regional Alcohol Program/Facebook)

SoberRide, the initiative that has been offering free Lyft rides home in the D.C. area this holiday season, will continue to operate for New Year’s Eve.

Rides will become available starting at 10 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) and lasting until 4 a.m. tomorrow. During that period, residents 21 and older can enter a promotional code into Lyft’s “Payment” tab to receive a ride home. Tonight’s promotional code will be posted at 9 p.m. on www.SoberRide.com.

News

Alexandria trash collection pushed back for New Year’s Day

By Katie Taranto

Published December 30, 2025 at 10:30AM

Taking out the trash in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The city of Alexandria will not collect waste on New Year’s Day, and the remainder of the week’s collection will follow a modified schedule.

After Thursday, waste collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week, according to the city.

Around Town

Annual New Year’s Eve music, fireworks and performances returning to Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published December 23, 2025 at 3:45PM

First Night Alexandria fireworks (via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

First Night Alexandria will bring hours of live music and performances, family-friendly fun and fireworks to Old Town and Carlyle for New Year’s Eve next week.

In its 31st year, the annual holiday festival includes a packed schedule of activities and arts, culminating in a countdown to midnight at the Old Town waterfront.

News

Alexandria government offices closing for Christmas, New Year’s Day

By Katie Taranto

Published December 22, 2025 at 11:45AM

Holiday wreath in Old Town (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Government offices in Alexandria will close on Wednesday and Thursday to observe Christmas.

Closures this week will affect Alexandria courts, the Alexandria Library, the Department of Motor Vehicles, health facilities, the city’s impound lot and more. Metered parking restrictions and residential permit parking will not be enforced during this period.

Around Town

New Year’s Eve parties planned at over a dozen Alexandria restaurants and bars

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2025 at 3:45PM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

How are you ringing in the new year in Alexandria?

A number of local bars and restaurants are doing it up in style on Dec. 31. From Old Town to Del Ray, Arlandria and the West End, here’s a roundup of shindigs that will send you into the early morning hours of 2026.

News

There’s plenty of free transportation options this New Year’s in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 31, 2024 at 1:30PM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

Put the car keys away, because there’s a number of free transportation options for partiers this New Year’s Eve in Alexandria.

Metro trains and buses throughout the region are operating fare-free from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

News

Here’s your guide to First Night Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 20, 2023 at 2:45PM

First Night Alexandria (via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria’s 29th annual First Night celebration is just around the corner. Here’s what you need to know before the family-friendly event.

First Night runs from 2 p.m. until the fireworks show at midnight at the waterfront on Sunday, Dec. 31.

News

New Year’s celebrations shifting trash collection in Alexandria next week

By Vernon Miles

Published December 29, 2022 at 3:00PM

Taking out the trash in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

If you typically leave your trash out on Monday, you might want to leave it inside another day.

While New Year’s Day is on Sunday, the holiday is also observed on Monday. As such, recycling, trash, and yard collection next week will “slide” back one day.