What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: March 6-8

Break out the green — the 43rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Old Town, led by grand marshal Mike "Rook" Richards.

The weather looks cooperative for the parade, with partly sunny skies and a temperature near 77 degrees, though showers are possible in the afternoon. The parade starts at the corner of King and Alfred streets and proceeds east on King Street, featuring pipe bands, Irish dance schools, and community groups.

With thousands of spectators expected, parade goers are encouraged to take the Metro to King Street/Old Town Station. Stick around for the after-party at King & Rye with Port City Brewing, or join the Women's Bar Crawl in Del Ray.

Sunday stays mild with highs near 70 and a chance of showers.

Also of note: Early voting begins Friday for Alexandria's April 21 special election at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections on North Royal Street.

Here's everything on the calendar this weekend.

Friday, March 6

Things To Do

11 a.m.: Maniacal DIPA returns at Port City Brewing Company
1 p.m.: Film Screening - "Song Sung Blue" at Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión at Burke Branch Library
3:30 p.m.: Lego Competition at Duncan Branch Library
5 p.m.: Rooftop Season Kickoff Party with live DJ and German beer at Alexandria Bier Garden
7 p.m.: A Night Celebrating Middle Grade Readers at Old Town Books Junior

Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Brandt Dunn at 9 p.m.
Clyde’s at Mark Center: Jonathan Quigley at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Mike Rook Richards at 9:30 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Mantis at 8:30 p.m.
Galactic Panther: Live Indie Rock and Pop Music Night at 8 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Will Barkley at 6 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7:30 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Sara Delaney at 7 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Bitter Luck at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
St. Elmo's Del Ray: Poetry Reading at 7 p.m.
The Birchmere: The High Kings at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Practically Einstein at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.

City & Schools

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open at Chinquapin
8:30 a.m.: Health and Safety Coordinating Committee
3:30 p.m.: CYFCC Advocacy Committee Meeting at Gustave's Bakery
5:30 p.m.: Legislative Subcommittee Meeting (virtual)

Saturday, March 7

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
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.: Teen Advisory Group - Monthly Meeting at Beatley Central Library
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 and Run 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.: GED Tutoring at Barrett 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.: Handcraft Tuesday - Weekend Edition at Beatley Central Library
2 p.m.: English Conversation Club at Barrett Branch Library
3 p.m.: Spanish Conversation Club at Barrett Branch Library
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 at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: DJ Rubins at 4 p.m., The Sprinting Turtles at 9 p.m.
Blackwall Hitch: Grayson Moon at 9 p.m.
Clyde’s at Mark Center: Jonathan Quigley at 9 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s: Brendan's Voyage at 1:30 p.m., Kenny Kohlhaas at 6 p.m.
Galactic Panther: The Duskwhales, Sur Cosmico, and Spark Isle at 7 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Live music at 7 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Comedy Night with Next Stop Comedy at 8:30 p.m.
Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub: Pat Garvey at 10 a.m., Powers & McLaughlin at 11 a.m., Practically Einstein and Pat Carroll at 6 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Shovel A.D., No Imput, Skin Testament at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: The High Kings at 7:30 p.m.
The Light Horse: Broken Ground at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6:30 p.m.