The Alexandria Brief: Monday, November 24
Thousands gather as Alexandria lights up for the holidays | Local musician named grand marshal of 2026 Alexandria St. Patrick's Day parade | and more.
Good morning, Alexandria. I’m Ryan Belmore, founder and publisher of The Alexandria Brief.
Here’s what you need to know for Monday, November 24.
Essentials
Weather: Sunny today, with a high near 57 degrees. Light and variable wind. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 41 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
The sun will rise at 7 a.m. and set at 4:49 p.m. High tides at 10:42 a.m. and 10:42 p.m. Low tides at 5:04 a.m. and 4:42 p.m. There will be 9 hours and 48 minutes of sun.
Happening Today: Here’s a look at all that’s happening today in Alexandria.
1️⃣ Holiday season arrives in Alexandria
Thousands of residents and visitors packed Market Square on Saturday night for the city of Alexandria’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, a beloved tradition that brought families together to usher in the season.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins, joined by her family, took the stage alongside Councilwoman Jacinta Greene, Councilman Kirk McPike, and City Manager Jim Parajon to welcome the crowd. The event carried special significance as it marked the last tree lighting at the current Market Square before renovations begin in January 2026.
2️⃣ Ballyshaner’s names grand marshal
Organizers announced Sunday that Mike “Rook” Richards will serve as grand marshal of the Ballyshaners’ 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, honoring the Alexandria native and musician as a “hometown hero.”
The parade is scheduled for March 7, 2026.
3️⃣ We all get old: Let’s get ready
Agenda Alexandria will host a panel discussion this evening on the challenges of aging in the city, bringing together experts in senior services, caregiving, estate planning and fraud prevention.
The program, titled “We All Get Old: Let’s Get Ready,” will examine caregiving planning, legal planning and digital safety issues facing older residents and their families.
4️⃣ APD holiday safety initiative
The Alexandria Police Department unveiled its annual holiday crime prevention plan Friday, deploying a comprehensive strategy combining increased patrols, targeted enforcement, and community partnerships to combat seasonal crime spikes through year’s end.
The initiative, which launched Nov. 21, comes as the city experiences a 27% decrease in overall Part 1 offenses in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to APD’s crime dashboard, which tracks data through Oct. 30.
5️⃣ Sheriff’s office resources to know about
After learning about the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office’s Away from Home Check program through a neighborhood listserv on Friday, I reached out to the office to ask what other resources residents might not know about.
The Sheriff’s Office offers several free community safety programs beyond its core duties of operating the jail and providing courthouse security, according to Public Information Officer Amy Bertsch.
Extra Extra!
The Old Town Farmers’ Market will temporarily relocate to the 100 block of North Royal Street and Tavern Square courtyard beginning in January 2026 as City Hall and Market Square undergo significant renovations. (The Alexandria Brief)
The familiar roar of gas-powered leaf blowers will echo through Alexandria’s neighborhoods for one last fall season, as the city approaches a historic ban that takes effect in just less than a year. (The Alexandria Brief)
The City of Alexandria released a draft strategic plan on Friday to guide economic development over the next five years and beyond — the first comprehensive planning effort since 2007. (The Alexandria Brief)
The Alexandria City Council will hold its regular legislative meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m., following an executive session at 6 p.m. (The Alexandria Brief)
Alexandria Fire’s Engine 208 and Tower 203 arrived first due with smoke showing from a 10th-floor apartment on Quantrell Avenue on Sunday. Crews located and extinguished a kitchen fire in an apartment. (Alexandria Firefighters, Inc. IAFF)
“Tati King says he wants to set an example for his grandchildren that it’s important to make sure their voices are heard. It’s why King, a 54-year-old living in Alexandria, Va., is suing Virginia election officials in federal court to get his voting rights restored”. (NPR)
The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery today at approximately 1:15 p.m. (AlertDC)