The Alexandria Brief: Wednesday, Dec. 31
Your daily guide to what's happening, new, and to do in Alexandria.
Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Wednesday, December 31, the 365th day of the year. There are 0 days left in 2025!
Alexandria offers a full slate of ways to ring in 2026 today, from a sprawling family-friendly festival to live music, craft beer, and fine dining, all capped by twin fireworks shows over the Potomac River. I’ve included all the details below.
Thanks for reading and supporting The Alexandria Brief in 2025. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy 2026.
Happy New Year,
Ryan Belmore | Founder and Publisher, The Alexandria Brief
1️⃣ What’s happening today in Alexandria
A chance of light snow or flurries between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 40 degrees. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight, there will be a chance of flurries between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of flurries with a slight chance of snow after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
The sun will rise at 7:26 a.m. and set at 4:56 p.m. High tides at 4:55 a.m. and 5:12 p.m. Low tide at 10:58 a.m. There will be 9 hours and 30 minutes of sun.
Events
11 a.m.: Noon Year’s Eve! - Featuring “The Magic of Drew Blue Shoes” at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
12 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Daytime Ice Skating at Cameron Run
12 p.m.: First Night Alexandria
12 p.m.: Kids Noon Years Eve at Hops N Shine
5 p.m.: Ice & Lights - Village & Skating at Cameron Run
7 p.m.: Murphy’s Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
7:30 p.m.: New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by the City of Alexandria
12 a.m.: New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by the City of Alexandria
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Holly Montgomery at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: New Year’s Eve Midnight Haus Party at 8 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 9:30 p.m.
Clyde’s at Mark Center: Shartel & Hume at 9:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Rap is Poetry Open Mic Night from 8 to 11 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Pete Chauvette at 6 p.m.
Mason Social: New Year’s Eve Bash with DJ Konquer at 9 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Poehemia and Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: New Year’s Eve party at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: The Seldom Scene and Shelby Means perform at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Trivia at 7 p.m.
City of Alexandria
City Government: Open
Holiday Schedule: Christmas/New Year
Flag Status: Full Staff
Trash Collection: On Time
Recycling Collection: On Time
Yard Waste Collection: On Time
ACPS: Winter Break
2️⃣ Wonder food hall to open
Wonder, the multi-restaurant food hall concept, will celebrate the grand opening of its Potomac Yard location on Friday, Jan. 9, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and giveaways.
The celebration at 3615 Richmond Highway begins at 2 p.m. The first 100 guests to arrive at 5 p.m. will receive an exclusive Wonder gift. The event is free and open to the public.
3️⃣ In photos: Waterskiing Santa celebrates 40 years
Santa Claus made his annual pre-flight appearance on the Potomac River on Christmas Eve, delighting thousands of spectators who lined the Alexandria waterfront for the 40th edition of the Waterskiing Santa show.
The volunteer-run tradition, which began with a simple bet among friends in 1986, has grown from a single skier braving the chilly December waters into a full holiday production featuring costumed characters on water skis, jet skis, and wakeboards.
4️⃣ How Alexandria will celebrate America’s 250th
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.
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.
5️⃣ Alexandria to benefit from $1.3 million in state economic development grants
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday that Alexandria will share in more than $1.3 million in state grants through two regional economic development projects funded by the Growth and Opportunity for Virginia program.
Extra Extra!
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Planning Committee will host “Dawn of Justice & Hope,” the 53rd anniversary community celebration of King’s birthday, on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. (The Alexandria Brief)
The Alexandria Health Department announced its 2025 Public Health Heroes on Monday, continuing what the department called its “favorite tradition” of honoring staff members each December. (The Alexandria Brief)
A Virginia State Police trooper is recovering at home after a driver in a stolen vehicle rammed their cruiser during a pursuit late Monday night. The pursuit, which started in Alexandria, eventually ended in Maryland and the driver was taken into custody by Maryland State Police and U.S. Park Police. (WUSA9)
The City is sharing new updates on the Duke Street Land Use Plan — and residents are invited to weigh in. (City of Alexandria)
Sheriff Sean Casey has announced that Andrea Hancock has been promoted to Inmate Classification Manager. (Alexandria Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)