The week ahead in Alexandria (February 9–15)
Election Day Tuesday; City Council certifies McPike vacancy; George Washington Birthday Parade Saturday
Here’s your weekly guide to what’s happening in Alexandria — what to know, what to watch, and how to participate.
What to Watch
Election Day is Tuesday
Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for the special elections that will fill two seats in the Virginia General Assembly.
All Alexandria voters will cast a ballot in the Senate District 39 race between Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and Republican Julie Robben Lineberry. The race carries major implications — Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Virginia Senate. The seat is being vacated by Sen. Adam Ebbin, who is resigning Feb. 18 to join Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Voters in House District 5 will also choose between Democrat Kirk McPike and Republican Mason Butler. The race will fill Bennett-Parker’s current seat. House District 5 covers only part of the city — check which district you live in at alexandriava.gov/Elections.
Schools will be in session, so plan for crowds and traffic during drop-off and pick-up times at polling places. The City Hall precinct has temporarily moved to Lyles-Crouch School, 530 S. Saint Asaph St.
Bring a valid ID, or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the polls. Same-day registration is available if you missed the deadline, but you’ll cast a provisional ballot.
More than 2,300 Alexandrians voted early. Unofficial results will be posted on the Virginia Department of Elections website after polls close.
City Council meets on Election Day
City Council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. with a full docket — on what will be a busy night for Alexandria politics.
Council will formally certify the vacancy on City Council created by Kirk McPike’s resignation, which took effect Monday, and authorize a writ of election to fill his seat. Five Democrats have filed for the Feb. 21 firehouse primary: Sandy Marks, Tim Laderach, Roberto Gomez, Charles Sumpter, and Cesar Madison Tapia.
The docket also includes:
Duke Street Land Use Plan update — Council will receive an update on draft principles and themes for the long-anticipated corridor plan
Torpedo Factory Arts Center — An ordinance to initiate the process for a lease, management, and operation agreement with an outside operator
State of Economy report
Resolution affirming the local emergency declaration for the January snowstorm
Potomac Yard Landbay G-G — Designation as a revitalization area, plus a $450,000 Housing Trust Fund grant to Wesley Housing for rental subsidies
Street rededications — Calhoun Avenue, Stevens Street, and Frost Street
EV charging — Ordinances allowing electric vehicle charging encroachments in public rights-of-way
George Washington Birthday Celebration Month proclamation
The meeting will be held at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.) and broadcast on cable channel 70.
America250 kickoff tonight at The Lyceum
Historic Alexandria officially launches its yearlong America250 commemoration tonight at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum.
The program begins at 7:05 p.m. and will feature remarks from Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary, and Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker, along with an overview of signature 2026 events — including the George Washington Birthday Parade this Saturday, Sails on the Potomac in June, and the Juneteenth Festival. A reception will follow.
The event, originally scheduled for Jan. 26, was postponed due to the winter storm.
The Lyceum is located at 201 S. Washington St. The event is free and open to the public.
George Washington Birthday Parade Saturday
The George Washington Birthday Parade returns to Old Town on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.
This year’s theme is “Virginia’s Son ~ America’s Founding Father,” honoring Washington’s leading role in the founding of the country during its 250th anniversary year.
The parade route runs through the heart of Old Town. Expect road closures and plan accordingly.
Following the parade, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum hosts the George Washington Birthnight Dinner at 6:30 p.m. — a four-course period-inspired dinner with wine, featuring General Washington (portrayed by Brian Hilton) and a keynote by Washington historian Ed Lengel. Tickets are $150 at alexandriava.gov/Shop.
ACPS budget forum rescheduled to tonight
The Alexandria PTA Council and ACPS budget forum, originally scheduled for Feb. 3 but postponed due to the snow closures, takes place tonight at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.
The forum runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at 1101 Janney’s Lane. Participants will rotate through small-group conversations with ACPS staff on instructional excellence, recruitment and retention, and mental health support. Interpretation will be available in Amharic, Arabic, Dari, and Spanish.
The forum comes as board members finalize their add/delete proposals ahead of a Feb. 17 work session. The School Board is expected to approve its budget on Feb. 19.
The Full Calendar
Monday, February 9
America250 Commemoration Kickoff — 7:05 p.m., The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.). Free and open to the public.
ACPS Budget Forum (Rescheduled) — 6:30 p.m., Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (1101 Janney’s Lane).
Commission on Aging Housing Committee — 1 p.m., virtual.
Strategy & Accountability Committee — 5 p.m., School Board Meeting Room.
Advanced Academic Services Advisory Committee — 6 p.m., ACHS College and Career Center.
Athletic Hall of Fame Advisory Committee — 6:30 p.m.
DCHS Meeting with Boards and Commissions Chairs — 6:30 p.m.
Social Services Advisory Board — 7 p.m.
Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee — 7 p.m., in person.
Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing — 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 10
Election Day — Polls open 6 a.m.–7 p.m. Senate District 39 (all of Alexandria) and House District 5 (part of the city). Find your polling place at alexandriava.gov/Elections.
Fire and Police Officers Pension Plan Board — 8:45 a.m.
City Council Legislative Meeting — 5:30 p.m. executive session, 7 p.m. regular meeting, Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.). Agenda includes McPike vacancy certification, Duke Street Land Use Plan, Torpedo Factory, State of Economy report.
Commission for Women Meeting — 7 p.m., Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.).
Personal Finance and Career Building Workshops — 7 p.m., Zoom. Register at 703.746.5700.
Wednesday, February 11
Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission — 8 a.m., in person.
Walk-In Wednesday Hiring Event — 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Drop in on the hour, bring two forms of ID, and dress professionally to start your path to becoming an Alexandria Police Officer.
Alexandria Electoral Board — 9:30 a.m. Canvass of the Feb. 10 special election, including provisional ballot hearing.
Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” Watch Party — 2 p.m., Duncan Library. Episode 2 of the documentary series.
Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) Board of Directors — 5:30 p.m.
Tax Time is Here! File for Free! — 6 p.m. Free tax preparation for eligible Alexandria residents.
Children, Youth and Families Collaborative Commission — 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 12
A Guide to Artist Open Calls Part 1 — 12 p.m. Learn how to put your best foot forward in applications for residencies and exhibitions.
Commission on Aging — 4:30 p.m., virtual.
School Board Development Session — 6 p.m., School Board Meeting Room (1340 Braddock Pl.).
Friday, February 13
School Board Governance Committee — 8 a.m., School Board Meeting Room.
Alexandria Electoral Board — 1 p.m. Completion of the canvass for the Feb. 10 special election.
Legislative Subcommittee Meeting — 5:30 p.m., virtual via Zoom. City Council subcommittee and staff review General Assembly bills with possible impact to the city.
Saturday, February 14
Tax Time is Here! File for Free! — 9 a.m. Free tax preparation for eligible Alexandria residents.
George Washington Birthday Parade — 2–4 p.m., Old Town Alexandria. Theme: “Virginia’s Son ~ America’s Founding Father.”
Youth Ambassadors Present Zootopia 2 — 6:30 p.m. Free movie for high school students celebrating Valentine’s Day. Register by emailing jasmine.coombs@alexandriava.gov.
George Washington Birthnight Dinner — 6:30 p.m., Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Four-course dinner with wine, General Washington in attendance. $150 per person at alexandriava.gov/Shop.
Sunday, February 15
Madeira Tasting — 5 p.m. Learn about early American seaports through Alexandria’s archaeological excavations while sampling the Rare Wine Company’s “Historic Madeira Series.” All proceeds benefit the Office of Historic Alexandria museums. Ages 21+.
All meetings are open to the public unless noted. City Council and commission meetings are held at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, during City Hall renovations. The building is a five-minute walk from the Mark Center Transit Station and accessible by MetroBus and DASH. Free parking is available in the adjacent garage. ACPS meetings are at 1340 Braddock Place. Check alexandriava.gov/Calendar and acps.k12.va.us for updates.