Alexandria Events Calendar: Parades, Festivals and Farmers Markets
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The Del Ray Halloween Parade, the Scottish Christmas Walk, Birthday Fireworks, Art on the Avenue and Every City Farmers’ Market
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Quick Answer: What’s Coming Up in Alexandria?
Updated November 2026.
Quick answer: next up is the 20th Alexandria Film Festival on Nov. 13 to 15, 2026. Then comes the city’s biggest holiday day, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026: the 55th Scottish Christmas Walk Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. in Old Town, and the 26th Holiday Boat Parade of Lights starts at 5:30 p.m. on the waterfront, with dockside festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. Five city farmers’ markets run year-round, including the Old Town market, which has temporarily moved to N. Royal St. during the Market Square renovation.
Dates change, so confirm with each organizer before you go. Back to the Alexandria VA realtor and local guide.
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2026 and 2027 Event Calendar
| When | Event | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 13 to 15, 2026 | 20th Alexandria Film Festival | Various venues | Upcoming |
| Sat., Dec. 5, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | 55th Scottish Christmas Walk Parade; the City of Alexandria became lead producer in 2026 | Old Town | Upcoming; free to watch |
| Sat., Dec. 5, 2026, 5:30 p.m. | 26th Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, with dockside festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. | Old Town waterfront | Upcoming; free to watch |
| 2027 | George Washington Birthday Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, birthday fireworks, Art on the Avenue and the Halloween parade (2026 editions were Feb. 14, March 7, July 11, Oct. 3 and Oct. 25) | Old Town and Del Ray | TBA until organizers publish dates |
The Del Ray Halloween Parade
The 30th annual parade was held Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 at 2 p.m. It starts at Mount Vernon and E. Bellefonte Avenues, runs along Mount Vernon Avenue and ends with live music and awards at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields, with contests for groups, strollers and pets. The parade is traditionally held on the Sunday before Halloween; check visitdelray.com for entry details and road closures.
Holiday Season in Old Town
The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade celebrates Alexandria’s Scottish heritage with pipe bands and clans marching through Old Town; the City lists the 55th parade for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, stepping off at 10:30 a.m. (in 2025 it started at S. St. Asaph and Wolfe Streets and ended near Market Square). The Holiday Boat Parade of Lights follows about a mile of shoreline from Old Town North to Ford’s Landing Park. The 26th boat parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., with dockside festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. The City says more details will be announced closer to the day, and Market Square is under renovation, so routes and gathering spots may change; check the City’s holiday parades page before you go.
Farmers’ Markets
| Market | Where | Day and hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town Farmers’ Market | 100 block of N. Royal St. and the Tavern Square courtyard (temporary, during the Market Square renovation) | Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon | Year-round |
| Del Ray Farmers’ Market | East Oxford and Mount Vernon Avenues | Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon | Year-round |
| Old Town North Farmers’ Market | Montgomery Park, 901 N. Royal St. | Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m. | Sundays year-round; Thursdays spring through fall |
| West End Farmers’ Market | Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. | Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Year-round |
| The Market at Southern Towers | 4901 Seminary Rd. | Saturdays and Sundays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Check the city’s market page |
| Four Mile Run Farmers’ & Artisans Market | 4109 Mount Vernon Ave. | Seasonal | Closed for the season as of October 2026 |
The Old Town market has been held at Market Square since 1753, and the city calls it the oldest farmers’ market in the country held continuously at the same site. It will move back when the renovation ends. Free parking during market hours is offered at nearby city garages; the Market Square garage is closed during the work. Source: the city’s Farmers’ Markets page.
Things to Do Any Weekend
- Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.): free, open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with occasional early closings for private events.
- Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.): closed Wednesdays year-round, and also Mondays and Tuesdays in fall and winter.
- Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.): park open daily, 9 a.m. to sunset.
- King Street Trolley: free, about every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. between the King Street Metro and the waterfront.
More Alexandria Guides
- Alexandria VA realtor: the full Alexandria guide
- City of Alexandria vs. an Alexandria address (Kingstowne, Fort Hunt and more)
- Alexandria neighborhoods compared
- Buying in Old Town: BAR rules and waterfront flooding
- Alexandria development tracker
Nearby area pages: Arlington, Burke, Fairfax and Woodbridge, or see all areas served. Nikki’s results are on the Rankings & Data page, and you can contact Nikki any time.
Alexandria Events FAQ
When is the Del Ray Halloween Parade in 2026?
The 30th Del Ray Halloween Parade was held Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 at 2 p.m., starting at Mount Vernon and E. Bellefonte Avenues in Del Ray. The 2027 date is TBA.
When is the Scottish Christmas Walk in 2026?
The City of Alexandria lists the 55th Scottish Christmas Walk Parade for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, stepping off at 10:30 a.m. in Old Town and running until about 12:30 p.m. The Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is the same evening at 5:30 p.m.
Where is the Old Town Farmers’ Market now?
While City Hall and Market Square are renovated, the Old Town Farmers’ Market runs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon on the 100 block of N. Royal St. and in the Tavern Square courtyard.
When are Alexandria’s birthday fireworks?
The city’s 277th birthday celebration and fireworks were on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Oronoco Bay Park. The 2027 date is TBA.
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Sources
Sources checked November 8, 2026.
- City of Alexandria: Farmers’ Markets (updated Sept. 18, 2026); Alexandria Birthday Celebration; Gadsby’s Tavern Museum; Fort Ward Museum; Holiday Parades 2026
- Visit Alexandria: Scottish Christmas Walk; Holiday Boat Parade of Lights; City Hall and Market Square renovations
- The Zebra: Halloween in Del Ray 2026 (Oct. 5, 2026); 2026 George Washington Birthday Parade; Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2026; Old Town Farmers’ Market relocation (Nov. 25, 2025)
- ALXnow: 277th birthday fireworks (July 13, 2026); 2025 holiday parades press release
- Del Ray Artisans: Art on the Avenue 2026; Alexandria Film Festival: 2026 dates; Torpedo Factory Art Center; DASH: King Street Trolley
- Photo: Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, Old Town Alexandria (2017), by Rob Shenk, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
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