Table of Contents
Old Town Alexandria closes its streets and opens its arms today for the Ballyshaners 43rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, with Irish dancers, pipe bands and local groups set to fill King Street beginning at 12:30 p.m. All events are free to the public.
Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day parade holds the distinction of being the first in the Washington area, traditionally held the first Saturday in March.
The Alexandria Police Department has issued a road closure advisory ahead of the event. Closures begin at 7:15 a.m. and roads are expected to reopen when it is safe to do so, around 3:30 p.m.
Here is what to know before you head out.
Weather
Expect patchy fog through about 11 a.m., clearing to mostly sunny skies by midday with a high near 70. South winds of 5 to 8 mph are possible, with gusts up to 20 mph. Showers move in tonight, likely after 7 p.m., so plan accordingly if you are heading out for post-parade festivities.
Parade route
The parade begins at Wolfe and St. Asaph streets. Festivities kick off at noon, led by local dignitaries, with the main parade stepping off at 12:30 p.m. The route heads north on St. Asaph to King Street, turns east past the grandstand near Royal Street, then south on Pitt Street, finishing at Pitt and Duke.
Road closures
Starting at 7:15 a.m.: The 400 and 500 blocks of King Street and the 100 blocks of S. Pitt Street and N. Pitt Street close first.
Starting at 10:15 a.m.: S. Royal Street, S. Pitt Street and S. St. Asaph Street from Wolfe to Gibbon streets close, along with the 300 to 600 blocks of Wilkes Street. Gibbon Street remains open during the parade.
Starting at 11:30 a.m.: The 400 to 600 blocks of Queen, Cameron, King, Prince, Duke, Wilkes and Wolfe streets close, along with St. Asaph Street and Pitt Street from Princess Street to Gibbon Street.
Note: Due to the Old Town Farmers Market, the 100 block of N. Royal Street will be closed from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Getting there
Parade goers are encouraged to use public transportation. The closest Metro stop is King Street/Old Town on the Blue and Yellow lines. A free trolley runs from the station, or it is a 10-minute walk east down King Street.
About the Ballyshaners
The Ballyshaners — whose name derives from the Gaelic word for "Old Towners" — are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1980 with a mission to promote and preserve Irish heritage. Members receive no compensation. The group meets monthly from mid-March through December and weekly from January through parade day. There is no fee to join.
This year's parade sponsors include AmeriCans, Wegmans, ALVA 871, Daniel O'Connell's, Kearney & Company, Brown-Forman, Murphy's Irish Pub, Burke & Herbert Bank, The Alexandrian, Guinness, Chadwick's, Shannon & Wright, Foley Irish Dance, Rock It Grill, Yates and United Bank.
The grand marshal
Alexandria musician Mike "Rook" Richards — known around Old Town simply as Rook — leads this year's parade as grand marshal. A West Potomac High School graduate who spent his teenage years busking on these same streets, Richards has also spent the past several years running sound for the Ballyshaners at the parade. Today, someone else is handling the board.
Ryan Belmore
After the parade
Richards performs at the Green Eggs and Beer fundraiser at Fish Market Restaurant, 105 King St., at 2 p.m., and then joins Kenny Kohlhaas for a late set at Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar, 112 King St., from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. — capping a full day at a venue celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Things to do today
- 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers Market at Tavern Square
- 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers Market at Pat Miller Square
- 10 a.m.: Running at the Brewery at Aslin ALX
- 10 a.m.: Borrow a Board Game at Beatley Central Library
- 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.: Ivy Hill Tour at Ivy Hill Cemetery
- 10:30 a.m.: VETOGA Weekly Community Yoga at Duncan Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Pedals & Pints Short Ride at Port City Brewing Company
- 11 a.m.: Women of Lee-Fendall at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
- 11 a.m.: Run Club Meet Up at Evening Star Cafe
- 12:15 p.m.: 2026 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town
- 12:30 p.m.: Teen Calligraphy Workshop at Burke Branch Library
- 1 p.m.: St. Patrick's Parade After Party with Port City Brewing Company at King & Rye
- 2 p.m.: The Women's Bar Crawl in Del Ray
- 2 p.m.: Green Eggs and Beer Fundraiser at Fish Market Restaurant
- 4 p.m.: Preservation of Carlyle House: What if we could do it over? at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
- 7 p.m.: Metal and Gut: Two Violas of Love at St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Just For Fun, 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ Rubins, 4 p.m.; The Sprinting Turtles, 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Grayson Moon, 9 p.m.
- Clyde's at Mark Center: Jonathan Quigley, 9 p.m.
- Daniel O'Connell's (20th anniversary): Six Nations Scotland v. France, 9:10 a.m.; Six Nations Italy v. England, 11:40 a.m.; Brendan's Voyage, 1:30-5:30 p.m.; Legacy Irish Dancers, 2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.; Boyle School Irish Dancers, 3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.; Kenny Kohlhaas, 6-9 p.m.; Rook Richards & Kenny Kohlhaas, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
- Galactic Panther: The Duskwhales, Sur Cosmico and Spark Isle, 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Karaoke, 9 p.m.
- Laporta's Restaurant: Live music, 7 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Comedy Night with Next Stop Comedy, 8:30 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani, 10 p.m.
- Murphy's Irish Pub: Pat Garvey, 10 a.m.; Powers & McLaughlin, 11 a.m.; Practically Einstein and Pat Carroll, 6 p.m.
- O'Shaughnessy's Pub: Shovel A.D., No Input and Skin Testament, 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: The High Kings, 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Broken Ground, 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music, 6:30 p.m.
City & schools
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
- 8 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
- 9 a.m.: Tax Time is Here! File for Free
