Alexandria holiday parade day is here: What you need to know
Road closures in effect; Scottish Walk steps off at 11 a.m., boat parade at 5:30 p.m.
Alexandria’s two signature holiday parades take place today, bringing tens of thousands to Old Town, along with significant road closures already underway.
Patchy fog is possible between 10 and 11 a.m., but skies turn partly sunny with a high near 43. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low of around 28 degrees. Both parades proceed rain or shine. Text ALXEVENTS to 888777 for real-time updates.
“There’s no better day to experience all of Alexandria’s holiday magic,” according to Visit Alexandria’s parade day guide.
Today’s schedule
7 a.m.–noon: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square — a good grab-and-go breakfast option before the parade.
10 a.m.: Scottish Walk Parade Open House at Carlyle House.
11 a.m.–1 p.m.: 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, from South St. Asaph and Wolfe streets to Market Square. Mayor Alyia Gaskins, the city’s first Black woman to hold the office, serves as grand marshal. NBC4 Northern Virginia bureau chief Julie Carey and Heather Haddock, president of the Scottish American Women’s Society of Washington, D.C., will emcee. The lineup includes dozens of Scottish clans, pipe and drum bands, the Lord and Lady Provost of Dundee (Alexandria’s Scottish sister city), and terriers, corgis, and hounds — with Santa bringing up the rear.
After the parade (approximately 1 p.m.): Massed band concert at Market Square, featuring City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums, St. Andrew’s Society’s Washington Scottish Pipe Band, and Kiltie Band of York.
2–6 p.m.: Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.).
2–8 p.m.: Dockside festivities at Waterfront Park, including food from Port City Brewing, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, and Tequila & Taco, plus a pop-up beer garden and children’s activities. Activities wrap at 5:30 p.m.; food and drinks continue until 8 p.m.
3:30 p.m.: Santa arrives by fireboat at Alexandria City Marina.
5:30 p.m.: 25th annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Dozens of decorated boats cruise southward from City Marina for 45 to 60 minutes. Start time varies by viewing location — earlier to the north, later to the south. Note: Viewers north of Founders Park may see boats staging rather than in single-file formation.
Parade lineup
More than 150 groups will march in the Scottish Walk, including Scottish clans, community organizations, local businesses, schools and dog clubs. Here’s the full order of march:
Road closures
Closures are in effect throughout the day:
Now closed: Parade assembly area near Wilkes, Wolfe, South Pitt, South Royal and South St. Asaph streets (until 2 p.m.). Parade route closes at 7 a.m.
Starting at 3 p.m.:
Union Street (Duke to Queen): One-way northbound
King Street (unit to 300 blocks): Pedestrian only
Lee Street (Duke to Queen): Local traffic only; King and Lee intersection fully closed
Prince Street (100 block): Local traffic only
Getting there
Leave the car at home. Options include:
Metro: Blue/Yellow lines to King Street-Old Town.
Free trolley: Modified route from Metro to the Lyceum every 15 minutes (11 a.m.–3 p.m.), then regular route to City Hall until 11 p.m.
DASH bus: Free, running 6 a.m. to midnight.
Where to watch
Scottish Walk: Anywhere along the mile-long route. Reviewing stand at Market Square. Bring a chair, but keep sidewalks and home entrances clear. Don’t climb trees, planters or walls around Market Square.
Boat parade: Ten waterfront parks from Rivergate City Park to Ford’s Landing. The parade starts at City Marina around 5:30 p.m., reaching southern viewing spots later. Waterfront Park will be crowded — consider parks farther from King Street for a more comfortable experience.
Between the parades
There is plenty to do between the Scottish Walk and the boat parade:
Shopping: The Art League’s Holiday Ceramics Sale at Slaters Lane Annex (10 a.m.), Shop Made in VA Holiday Market Extravaganza at Evening Star Cafe (11 a.m.), Hotel AKA Alexandria Holiday Market (1 p.m.).
Activities: Decorate Your Own Wreath at Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ (2 p.m.), Design Your Own Winter Trinket Tray at Shop Made in VA (3 p.m.).
Quick tips
Pets: Leave dogs at home, given the crowds and dogs participating in the parade. Service animals welcome.
Restrooms: Portable toilets on North Royal Street near Market Square; public restrooms at the Visitor Center (King and Fairfax).
Food: Farmers market until noon; waterfront vendors open at 2 p.m.
After the boat parade
Keep the night going with live music across the city: DeadEye Stare at Blackwall Hitch (9 p.m.), Broken Ground at Alexandria Bier Garden (8:30 p.m.), or Chris Botti at The Birchmere (7:30 p.m.). The Alexandria Singers present “Unwrapped” at George Washington Masonic National Memorial at 7:30 p.m., and a free Youth Orchestra Concert takes place at Bishop Ireton High School at 7 p.m.
For more weekend events, read The Weekend Brief.
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