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It's a big weekend in Alexandria — and the weather is perfect for it. Expect sunny skies and highs in the low to mid-70s all weekend.
The Majestic relaunches on Friday under new ownership, featuring a reimagined menu from chef Santiago Lopez. Freedom House Museum marks the 177th anniversary of the Pearl escape attempt — one of the largest in U.S. history — with free events Saturday and Sunday. Dog lovers can head to Del Ray Dog Fest on Sunday at George Washington Middle School, benefiting retired Alexandria police K9s. Also Saturday: test drive EVs and e-bikes at Chinquapin Park, catch BunnyFest at the Torpedo Factory or check out the world premiere of "Becoming Wild" at The Lyceum.
Here's everything on the calendar this weekend.
Looking for something to do on Thursday? I've got you covered here.
Friday, April 10
The Majestic relaunches under new ownership April 10
Chef Santiago Lopez purchases Old Town Alexandria landmark, debuts reimagined menu and refreshed interior
Ryan Belmore
Two programs remain in adult field trip series exploring Alexandria’s African American history
Evening sessions at Alexandria Archaeology Museum and Archives and Records Center offer hands-on access to artifacts and primary sources
Ryan Belmore
Things To Do
- 6:30 p.m.: Grown-Up Field Trip: Archaeology Museum
Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Tony Gatlin at 5 p.m., Skyler & Cooper at 9 p.m.
- Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10:15 p.m.
- Daniel O'Connell's: Kenny Kohlhaas at 9:30 p.m.
- Del Ray Public House: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Epicure on King: Trotters Spring at 6:30 p.m.
- Evening Star Cafe: Vince Borrelli at 8:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Censored Image EP Release at 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Chris DeSantis at 6 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: DC Ambiance Swing Ensemble at 7 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Pub: Powers & McLaughlin & Pat Garvey at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Bitter Luck at 9 p.m.
- Port City Brewing: Chris Rote at 6 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- St. Elmo's Del Ray: Poetry Open Mic Night at 7 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Who's Bad at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Hot Cactus at 9:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
City & Schools
- 6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
- 8 a.m.: Deadline to Request a Ballot by Mail
- 6:30 p.m.: Grown-Up Field Trip: Archaeology Museum
Alexandria Library
- All Day: Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art at Barrett Branch Library
- All Day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
- All Day: Exhibit: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka - The Struggle and Beyond at Local History/Special Collections
- All Day: The Great American PoeTREEs at Beatley Central Library
- All Day: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
- All Day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge — Virtual
- All Day: Tiny Art Show: Tiny Chair Edition at Beatley Central Library
- 10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library — Accepting plush donations through April 20
- 10:15 a.m.: Baby Storytime at Burke Branch Library
- 1 p.m.: Low Vision Resource Group - Accessing News and Podcasts at Beatley Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Musical Movement at Burke Branch Library
Saturday, April 11
Freedom House Museum to mark 177th anniversary of historic slave escape attempt with free weekend events
Freedom House Museum will offer docent-led discussions and a public conversation on social resistance April 11-12 in honor of 77 enslaved people who sought freedom aboard the schooner Pearl in 1848
Ryan Belmore
Things To Do
- 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Tavern Square
- 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmer’s Market at Pat Miller Square
- 9 a.m.: Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market along Mt. Vernon Ave.
- 9 a.m.: Gustave Art & Craft Market at Gustave Jardin
- 10 a.m.: Women of Alexandria: Leadership Across Public and Private Life at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
- 10 a.m.: Last Chance: Fill The MV Big Flea-Donation Drive on Mt. Vernon Ave.
- 10:30 a.m.: Pedals & Pints at Handy Bikes
- 12 p.m. Spring Break 2026 at Aslin ALX
- 12 p.m.: Family Fun Day at Carlyle House
- 12 p.m.: BunnyFest 2026 at Torpedo Factory Art Center
- 12 p.m.: Girl Scout Day: The French and Indian War in Alexandria at Carlyle House
- 2 p.m.: Alexandria Film Festival presents “Becoming Wild” World Premiere at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
- 2 p.m.: The Grandest Congress: The French and Indian War in Alexandria at Carlyle House
- 2 p.m.: League of Women Voters hosting virtual Alexandria city council candidate forum
- 3 p.m.: Music Through The Decades at Del Ray United Methodist Church
- 3 p.m.: Sweet Fire Donna's 12th Anniversary Pig Roast and Tap Takeover at Sweet Fire Donna's
- 5:30 p.m.: The Music of Words at Athenaeum
- 6 p.m.: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show at Sheraton Suites Old Town
- 7 p.m.: Toccatas & Suites: Bach at the Summit at St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Myles Deep at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: SugarCoat at 9 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Grayson Moon at 9 p.m.
- Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10:15 p.m.
- Daniel O'Connell's: Practically Einstein at 9:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: Weed Coughlin, Magog, Engineered Extinction 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 Garvey at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Austin Miller & The Old Townkillers at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: SGGLat 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse: Lights Out By 8 at 9:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner at 8 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.
- Valetta Port: Jim Sheats at 7 p.m.
City & Schools
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
- 8 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
- 9 a.m.: Historic Holmes Run Stream Cleanup
- 9 a.m.: Tax Time is Here! File for Free
- 9 a.m.: ACPS VSBA Board Member Training
- 10 a.m.: Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive and Showcase at Chinquapin Park
- 11 a.m.: Remember the Pearl Weekend at Freedom House Museum
- 5:30 p.m.: Specialty Tour: Poisons at the Apothecary Museum
Alexandria Library
- All Day: Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art at Barrett Branch Library
- All Day: The Great American PoeTREEs at Beatley Central Library
- All Day: Tiny Art Show: Tiny Chair Edition at Beatley Central Library
- All Day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge — Virtual
- All Day: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
- All Day: A Commonwealth of Cultures Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
- All Day: Exhibit: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka - The Struggle and Beyond at Local History/Special Collections
- 10 a.m.: Alexandria Film Festival - "High Society" (1956) at Barrett Branch Library
- 10 a.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library
- 10 a.m.: Borrow a Board Game at Beatley Central Library
- 10:30 a.m.: Teen Advisory Group - Monthly Meeting at Beatley Central Library
- 11 a.m.: Games of the States at Barrett Branch Library — Ages 6-12
- 1 p.m.: Alexandria Black History Walking Tour - Manumission Tours at Barrett Branch Library
- 1 p.m.: Free Verse Poetry Workshop — Virtual, for National Poetry Month
- 2 p.m.: Building Better Bonds! at Barrett Branch Library
- 2:30 p.m.: Oddball Cinema - A Taste of Honey at Duncan Branch Library
Sunday, April 12
Del Ray Dog Fest returns April 12 to benefit retired Alexandria police K9s
The 4th annual outdoor festival hosted by the Del Ray Business Association will feature a dog fashion show, yoga with pups, live music and more.
Ryan Belmore
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
- 11 a.m.: Del Ray Dog Fest at George Washington Middle School
- 11 a.m.: Cat Yoga at Mt. Purrnon Cat Cafe + Wine Bar
- 1 p.m.: Spring Pop Up Market at Hotel AKA Alexandria
- 3 p.m.: Chamber Music Concert at The Lyceum
Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.
- Atlas Brew Works: Dungeons N' Drafts at 1 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
- Epicure on King: Sing-Along/Open Mic at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Mason Social: DJ Konquer at 10 a.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: Mike Doughty at 7:30 p.m.
- The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner at 2 p.m.
City & Schools
- 7 a.m.: Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard
- 8 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
- 11 a.m.: Specialty Tour: Outlandish Apothecary at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
- 1 p.m.: Remember the Pearl Weekend at Freedom House Museum
Alexandria Library
- All Day: Footsteps of History - Virtual Walking Challenge — Virtual
- All Day: Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art at Barrett Branch Library
- All Day: The Great American PoeTREEs at Beatley Central Library
- All Day: Tiny Art Show: Tiny Chair Edition at Beatley Central Library
- All Day: America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up at Burke Branch Library
- 1 p.m.: Twice Loved Plushies at Beatley Central Library
- 1:30 p.m.: Board Game Bliss at Burke Branch Library
- 3:30 p.m.: Sunday Story Time at Duncan Branch Library
