The Weekend Brief: December 5-7
Two iconic parades headline Alexandria's biggest holiday weekend
Good afternoon, Alexandria. Welcome to The Weekend Brief. I’m Ryan Belmore, and here’s your guide to everything happening in Alexandria this weekend, Dec. 5-7, 2025.
It’s Alexandria’s biggest holiday weekend of the year, and there’s no better time to celebrate in a city Good Housekeeping named one of the best holiday towns in America.
Saturday brings two signature events to Old Town. The 54th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade honors Alexandria’s roots — the city was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and named after Scotsman John Alexander. Dozens of Scottish clans in colorful tartans will march through the streets, joined by pipe and drum bands, terriers, hounds, and community groups.
As night falls, the 25th Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights illuminates the Potomac as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise one mile of shoreline. Dockside festivities at Waterfront Park include local food, live music, and family-friendly activities.
Beyond the parades, the weekend offers farmers' markets, live music across the city, library programs for all ages, and plenty of holiday shopping.
Here’s how to make the most of your weekend.
Friday, December 5
Things To Do
8 a.m.: WEBA Coffee & Collaboration at Beeliner Diner
10 a.m.: Scottish North American Community Conference at The Lyceum
5 p.m.: Ice & Lights - The Winter Village at Cameron Run
5 p.m.: The Art League’s Holiday Ceramics Sale at Slaters Lane Annex
7 p.m.: JMU Watch Party at Port City Brewing
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Sol Roots at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: UnderCover at 8:30 p.m.
Aslin Alexandria: Comedy Show at 8 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Timmie Metz Band at 9 p.m.
Clyde’s Mark Center: Jonathan Quigley Music at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Kenny Kohlhaas Duo at 9:30 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 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: Andrew Young at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Carroll and Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Celtic Underground at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
St. Elmo’s Del Ray: Del Ray Poetry Reading at 7 p.m.
The Birchmere: Chris Botti at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Noise In The Basement at 9:30 p.m.
The Little Theater of Alexandria: A Christmas Carol at 8 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
City Events & Public Meetings
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park
4 p.m.: Shopping Late Night at The Lyceum
For more details on all these events, please visit here.
Alexandria Library
All day: Upcycled Wrapping - Gift Decorating Kits at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
10:15 a.m.: Baby Storytime at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
2 p.m.: Musical Movement at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday! at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
For more details on these events, please visit here.
Alexandria City Public Schools
No events are scheduled.
ACPS Sports
6 p.m.: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Fairmont Heights at Largo High School
7 p.m.: JV Basketball vs. TBA at Alexandria City High School
7:15 p.m.: JV Basketball vs. Woodbridge High School at Alexandria City High School
For more details on these events, please visit here.
Saturday, December 6
Things To Do
7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmer’s Market
9 a.m.: Maker’s Market at Sportrock Alexandria
9:30 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa at Blackwall Hitch
10 a.m.: Scottish Walk Parade Open House at Carlyle House
10 a.m.: The Art League’s Holiday Ceramics Sale at Slaters Lane Annex
10 a.m.: Book Sale at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: Pedals & Pints at Handy Bikes
11 a.m.: 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town
11 a.m.: Shop Made in VA Holiday Market Extravaganza at Evening Star Cafe
11 a.m.: A Very Merry Candle Workshop at Shop Made in VA
12 p.m.: Dogs & Eggnog at Greenstreet Gardens
1 p.m.: Annual Small Works Invitational at Principle Gallery
1 p.m.: Hotel AKA Alexandria Holiday Market at Hotel AKA Alexandria
2 p.m.: Decorate Your Own Wreath at Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ
3 p.m.: Design Your Own Winter Trinket Tray at Shop Made in VA
5 p.m.: Ice & Lights - The Winter Village at Cameron Run
5:30 p.m.: 25th Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights along Old Town waterfront
7 p.m.: Free Youth Orchestra Concert at Bishop Ireton High School
7:30 p.m.: The Alexandria Singers present Unwrapped at The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Broken Ground at 8:30 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: DeadEye Stare at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Brendan’s Voyage at 1 p.m., Kenny Kohlhaas at 6 p.m., Rook Richards Band at 9:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Punk Show at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Joe Coleman at 6 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Powers & McLaughlin, Pat Carroll at 10 a.m., Pat Garvey at 5 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Leela & The Late Night Superstars at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
Sevareid House: Jesse Terry at 7:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Chris Botti at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Collective at 9:30 p.m.
The Little Theater of Alexandria: A Christmas Carol at 5 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
City Events & Public Meetings
7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
8 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park
11 a.m.: 54th Scottish Walk Parade in Old Town
2 p.m.: Ship Biscuit Ornaments at Alexandria Archaeology
2 p.m.: Holiday Boat Parade Dockside Activities at Waterfront Park
5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights along waterfront
For more details on all these events, please visit here.
Alexandria Library
All day: Upcycled Wrapping - Gift Decorating Kits at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
10 a.m.: Borrow a Board Game at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
10 a.m.: Book Sale at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
11 a.m.: 2nd Annual Toy Swap! at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
11:30 a.m.: Kids’ Winter Movie Mornings! at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
2 p.m.: Your Library Card: A Tour at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
3 p.m.: Spanish Conversation Club at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
For more details on these events, please visit here.
Alexandria City Public Schools
No events are scheduled.
ACPS Sports
8 a.m.: Boys Varsity Indoor Track Invitational at Episcopal High School
8 a.m.: Girls Varsity Indoor Track at Episcopal High School
8 a.m.: JV Indoor Track Invitational at Episcopal High School
11 a.m.: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Dominion High School at Justice High School
6:45 p.m.: JV Basketball vs. Takoma Academy at Alexandria City High School
For more details on these events, please visit here.
Sunday, December 7
Things To Do
8:30 a.m.: West End Farmers Market at 4800 Brenman Park
9 a.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers’ Market at Four Mile Run Park
9:30 a.m.: Old Town Run Club Jingle Bell 5k at Atlas Alexandria
10 a.m.: The Art League’s Holiday Ceramics Sale at Slaters Lane Annex
10:30 a.m.: St. Nicholas Market at Saint Rita Catholic Church
3 p.m.: Sparkle & Shine: Mosaic Ornament Holiday Workshop at Shop Made in VA
3 p.m.: TubaChristmas at Market Square
4 p.m.: The Alexandria Singers present Unwrapped at The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
5 p.m.: Ice & Lights - The Winter Village at Cameron Run
6 p.m.: Del Ray Holiday Season Kickoff at Pat Miller Square
Live Music & Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Bobby Reed at 5 p.m.
Galactic Panther: ESP’s InterGalactic Open Mic at 8 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 11:30 a.m., Steve Ragsdale at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: A Peter White Christmas at 7:30 p.m.
The Little Theater of Alexandria: A Christmas Carol at 2 p.m. & 5 p.m.
City Events & Public Meetings
7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
8 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin Park
Noon: Old Town Gingerbread Decorating at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
For more details on all these events, please visit here.
Alexandria Library
All day: Upcycled Wrapping - Gift Decorating Kits at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
1 p.m.: Writers Group at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
For more details on these events, please visit here.
Alexandria City Public Schools
No events are scheduled.
ACPS Sports
No events are scheduled.
For more details on these events, please visit here.