Two parades, one day: Your guide to Alexandria's holiday weekend
Scottish Walk, boat parade bring road closures, traffic changes to Old Town
Alexandria’s biggest holiday weekend arrives Saturday with back-to-back parades, waterfront festivities and significant traffic impacts throughout Old Town.
“There’s no better day to experience all of Alexandria’s holiday magic,” according to Visit Alexandria’s parade day guide.
Here’s everything you need to know.
The events
The 54th annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade steps off at 11 a.m. at South St. Asaph and Wolfe streets, winding through Old Town before concluding at Market Square around 1 p.m. Mayor Alyia Gaskins serves as grand marshal. NBC4 Northern Virginia bureau chief Julie Carey and Heather Haddock, past president of the Scottish American Women’s Society of Washington, D.C., will emcee. Pipe bands will reassemble at Market Square for a massed band performance after the parade.
Dockside festivities run from 2 to 8 p.m. at Waterfront Park, featuring local vendors, children’s activities, and food from Port City Brewing, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Tequila & Taco, and others. The Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts a holiday festival from 2 to 6 p.m., with Santa arriving by fireboat at 3:30 p.m.
The 25th annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights launches at 5:30 p.m., with dozens of decorated boats cruising the Potomac for 45 to 60 minutes. Last year’s winners included themes like “Country Christmas,” “Greased Lightning,” and “Santa’s Floating UFO.”
Both parades proceed rain or shine.
Getting there
Organizers strongly encourage public transit. Options include:
Metro: Blue and Yellow lines to King Street-Old Town station.
Trolley: Free service runs a modified route from the Metro station to the Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then resumes regular service to City Hall until 11 p.m.
Bus: DASH bus service is free, running from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Bike/scooter: Capital Bikeshare docks are available throughout Old Town—no riding on sidewalks or King Street’s pedestrian zone.
Water taxi: City Cruises offers viewing from the Potomac River.
Road closures
Plan to avoid driving in Old Town if possible. Key restrictions:
Morning (parade assembly): Road closures and no parking begin as early as 5 a.m. in the parade assembly area near Gibbon and Wolfe streets. The parade route closes at 7 a.m.
Afternoon/evening (boat parade): Starting around 3 p.m., Union Street between Duke and Queen streets shifts to one-way northbound traffic. The King Street and Lee Street intersection closes to all vehicles. Local-traffic-only restrictions take effect near the waterfront through 10 p.m.
Pedestrian zone: King Street’s car-free zone now extends through the 0, 100 and 200 blocks. Lee Street from Duke to Cameron is open to local traffic only.
Alexandria police will be on-site managing intersections. The Waze app can help navigate closures.
Parking
Areas along the parade route and near Waterfront Park will have no-parking and reserved-parking zones. Read the posted signs carefully. Garages near the waterfront fill early.
Where to watch
Scottish Walk: Anywhere along the mile-long route. A reviewing stand is located near Market Square. Bring a chair, but keep sidewalks, crosswalks, and home entrances clear. Don’t climb trees, planters, or walls around Market Square.
Boat parade: Ten viewing areas span one mile of waterfront, from Rivergate City Park in the north to Ford’s Landing City Park in the south. The parade begins around 5:30 p.m. at City Marina but passes northern viewing points earlier and southern points later. Organizers note that Waterfront Park and City Marina may be crowded; parks farther from the center may offer a more comfortable experience. Viewers north of Founders Park may see boats staging rather than in single-file formation.
Other tips
Pets: Leave dogs at home, given the crowds and participating dogs in the Scottish Walk. Service animals are welcome.
Restrooms: Portable toilets, including an ADA unit, will be on North Royal Street near Market Square. Public restrooms are available at the Alexandria Visitor Center at King and Fairfax streets.
Food: The Old Town Farmers Market (7 a.m. to noon) offers grab-and-go options near Market Square. Waterfront vendors open at 2 p.m.
Updates: Text ALXEVENTS to 888777 or visit ALXScottishWalk.com and ALXBoatParade.com.
