The Alexandria Brief: Friday, January 2
Tall ships, fireworks, and a 250th birthday party | Your daily guide to what's happening, new, and to do in Alexandria.
Good morning, Alexandria. It’s Friday, January 2, 2026—the first Friday of what’s shaping up to be a pretty remarkable year. Tall ships are coming to the Potomac. Fireworks will light up the river. Our country turns 250, and this old town of ours will be right at the heart of it.
For now, though? Take it slow. It’s the Mondayist Friday ever, and we’re all still finding our footing after the holidays. I’ll have the full weekend roundup published by noon.
Here’s to a great year ahead.
~ Ryan Belmore
Founder and Publisher, The Alexandria Brief
1️⃣ What’s happening today in Alexandria
It will be cloudy through mid-morning, then gradually clearing, with a high near 41 degrees. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 27 degrees. Light north wind.
The sun will rise at 7:26 a.m., and the sun will set at 4:58 p.m. There will be 9 hours and 31 minutes of sun.
Events
11 a.m. il Palio is back at Port City Brewing Company
12 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Daytime Ice Skating at Cameron Run
1:30 p.m. Film Screening (in tribute to director Rob Reiner) - “Princess Bride” at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Lego Competition at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
5 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Village & Skating at Cameron Run
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Sol Roots at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Karaoke at 8:30 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Brandt Dunn at 9 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Evening Star: Lacklustre at 7 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Moonlight Booking presents 2026 Kick Off Party at 6 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Live music at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: David Guy at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Kingpin at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Last Train Home at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Rebel Rose at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
City Government: Open
Flag Status: Full Staff
Trash Collection: 1-Day Slide
Recycling Collection: 1-Day Slide
Yard Waste Collection: 1-Day Slide
ACPS: Winter Break
2️⃣ From tall ships to fireworks: How Alexandria will celebrate America’s 250th in 2026
Alexandria will welcome tall ships to its Potomac River waterfront, host the nation’s oldest George Washington birthday parade, and cap off the summer with fireworks over the river as the city commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Celebrations kick off Feb. 14 with the George Washington Birthday Parade, the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets of Old Town as drum corps, color guards, bands, community organizations, and city dignitaries march along King Street. General Washington and Martha Washington will make an appearance.
The centerpiece of summer celebrations will be Sails on the Potomac from June 12-14, when Alexandria serves as a Sail Virginia 2026 Affiliate Harbor. The event will host the tall ships Gazela, Kalmar Nyckel, Providence, and Sultana and feature music, family activities, exhibits, tours, and educational programs.
3️⃣ Alexandria seeking residents to fill 78 openings on city boards and commissions
Alexandria City Council is seeking applicants to fill 78 vacancies across 32 of the city’s more than 70 boards and commissions, with applications due today.
The volunteer positions advise Council on topics ranging from housing affordability to gang prevention to historic preservation. Time commitments are typically about two hours per month, and terms range from two to five years depending on the board.
4️⃣ How to dispose of a Christmas tree in Alexandria
Residents who receive city collection may place natural Christmas trees at their regular yard waste collection point on their regularly scheduled collection day between today and Friday, Jan. 16. The trees will be composted.
The shorter collection window this year is intended to improve overall collection efficiency. Residents who miss the Jan. 16 deadline can still place trees out for collection after that period.
5️⃣ Amtrak Virginia service changes begin Jan. 12
Rail commuters traveling through Alexandria are facing schedule changes as construction ramps up on the Long Bridge Project, the largest rail investment in the region in generations.
Virginia Railway Express schedule adjustments took effect Dec. 1, with additional changes to Amtrak Virginia service beginning Jan. 12 when construction work windows start. The changes will last through 2030. Here’s what riders need to know.
Starting Jan. 12, construction crews will work during a five-hour window from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, with no scheduled through-traffic on Long Bridge during that time. Work will occur six days a week through 2030, with no Sunday construction. D.C. noise and vibration regulations prohibit construction between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., requiring the daytime work windows.
Extra Extra!
As the United States officially enters 2026, the long-awaited “America250” (Semiquincentennial) celebrations have begun in full force, transitioning from years of planning into a year-long national festival. (Travel and Tour World)
Like most years, 2025 marked a bittersweet year for the dining scene in Northern Virginia, as some beloved restaurants closed their doors. (Patch)
Stephen C. Dwyer assumed his new role as the chief executive officer of the Alexandria-based American Staffing Association effective on Thursday. Dwyer is the fifth CEO in the association's history. (Morning Star)
A Virginia law governing who qualifies for in-state tuition and certain forms of state financial aid is now the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. (Inside NOVA)