Arts and Entertainment

The Alexandria Ballet 703-548-0035 Admission Charged Known for its dance school and special performance for young audiences. The 45-minute version of "The Nutcracker" is a community favorite.

Call for schedule

Alexandria Citizen Band Concerts Market Square, 301 King St.,

703-883-4686

Admission Free Fridays, June – August, 7:30 p.m.

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra 703-845-8005 Admission Charged For the past decade, Maestro Kim Allen Kluge's charismatic virtuosity has guided the ASO through critically-acclaimed performances full of passion, power and emotion.

Call for schedule

Lunch Bunch Concerts Market Square, 301 King St.,

703-883-4686

Admission Free Every Wednesday, June - August at 12:15 p.m.

Montgomery Park Concerts Montgomery Park (Montgomery & Royal sts.),

703-883-4686

Admission Free Wednesdays. June – July, 7:30 p.m., grass seating.

Music At Twilight Concerts Fort Ward Park amphitheater,

4301 W. Braddock Rd.,

703-/883-4686

Admission Free

A variety of musical performances Thursdays, June - August. A. Time varies: 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., call for details

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center On the Northern Virginia Community College campus at 3001 N. Beauregard St.

703-/845-6156

Admission Charged Brand-new, 1000-seat hall with wonderful acoustics is year-round site for performances, including the acclaimed Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

Call for schedule

The Birchmere 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.,

703-549-7500

Admission charged Featuring the biggest names in country, folk and other musical varieties.

Call for schedule and list of performances

Theater

Old Town Theater 815 1/2 King St.,

703-683-8888

Admission Charged Historic theatre that will feature live entertainment and movies for the family and community.

Call for performance times

West End Dinner Theatre 4615 Duke Street,

703-/370-2500 Admission Charged

Offers fine dining and the best of Broadway on the largest dinner theatre stage in the area.

Call for list of performances and times

Parks and Recreation

Mount Vernon Forest Trail 703-780-2000

Admission Free This nature walk through George Washington's wilderness leads past mature Oak and Hickory trees, past Holly and Laurel shrubs and features attractions such as Washington's cobble quarry and a wooden footbridge over a 100-foot wide ravine. Interpretive signs throughout the trail list fascinating facts about the woods and wildlife.

Call for hours of operation.

Mount Vernon Trail

Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King St.

Admission Free

With the river as your companion, walk, bike, or jog the 18.5-mile trail from George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens to Theodore Roosevelt Island. Along the way enjoy a view of the Potomac at Riverside Park, take a side trip to the Dyke Marsh wildlife habitat or visit Jones Point Park, which features a 19th-century lighthouse. Beyond Alexandria, you can view the Washington skyline from Gravelly Point and the Navy-Marine Memorial depicting gulls in flight over a wave.

Potomac Heritage Trail

Pick up a brochure at the Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King St.

Admission Free Explore Northern Virginia's heritage by following the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The trail includes historic sites such as Mount Vernon, Civil War sites, waterways, scenic vistas and more.

Virginia Civil War Trails

Stop by the Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King St., for a free brochure.  The Virginia Civil War Trails is a state-wide system of over 200 authentic Civil War sites divided into five regions, and linked by a combination of driving, biking and walking trails. Alexandria is the first city to become an official site and is part of the Northern Virginia Trail.

Cameron Run Regional Park 4001 Eisenhower Ave.,

703-960-0767

Family fun! This park offers something for everyone - waterslide, wave pool, lap pool, batting cages and miniature golf.

Call for hours and dates of operation as they vary per venue and season.

Events

January

The Holidays at Mount Vernon

703-780-2000

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens The Washington’s' seasonal entertaining is authentically interpreted daily, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day; the rarely seen third floor is open, and ginger cookies and hot cider are served around the bonfire near a replica of a Valley Forge military encampment.

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Call for exact dates 

Lee Birthday Celebration

703-548-1789

Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronoco Celebrate the birthdays of Revolutionary War hero Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and his son, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Meet the guests of honor, tour the home and enjoy live period music and refreshments.

2-4 p.m.

Call for exact dates

February

George Washington Birthday Celebration

703-991-4474 A city-wide celebration for Alexandria's favorite son.

Call for exact date and schedule

Ceremony Honoring the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution

703-549-6670

Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 S. Fairfax St. 11 a.m.

Admission Free Ceremony held at the grave of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War.

Call for exact date and schedule  

George Washington’s Farewell Address

703-991-4474

201 South Washington Street

Admission Free A reenactment that has become an Alexandria tradition.

11 a.m. and 12 noon

Call for exact dates

George Washington Birthday Parade

703-991-4474

Admission Free The largest parade honoring the first president and Alexandria's hometown hero features marching bands, floats, military and reenactment units, Masonic groups, equestrian entries, antique cars, and of course, George and Martha Washington throughout Old Town Alexandria.

1 p.m.

Call for exact dates

March

Annual Needlework Exhibition

703-780-4000

Woodlawn Plantation, 9000 Richmond Hwy., Mount Vernon

Admission Charged The largest and most prestigious needlework exhibit in the country. View amateur and professional stitchery at the plantation George Washington gave to his granddaughter, Eleanor "Nelly" Custis Lewis.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Call for exact dates

Annual Antiques in Alexandria

703-548-7469

Episcopal High School, Flippin Field House, 3901 W. Braddock Rd.

Admission Charged

Features 60 dealers from around the country and includes early American furniture

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call for exact dates . St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade

703/ 237-2199

The parade starts at 12:30 p.m. at King and West sts and proceeds east on King to N. Fairfax.

Admission Free

Join the festivities throughout Old Town, including the Fun Dog Show at 10:30 a.m. at Market Square, and Classic Car Competition, also at 10:30 a.m. on N. Royal and Pitt streets.

April  

Family Easter Egg Hunt

703-548-1789

Garden of the historic Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco Street.

Admission Charge for children, adults free Children of all ages invited to look for colorful eggs in the garden of the historic Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St.

Hunt begins promptly at 1 p.m. (Canceled in case of inclement weather.)

Call for exact date  

Annual Historic Garden Tour of Alexandria

703-549-2289 This tour features seven privately-owned Old Town homes and gardens, one historic church and four historic properties.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Call for exact date

Mount Vernon’s Annual Gardening Days

703-780-2000

Admission Free The estate's annual garden sale, including plants grown from historic cuttings, plus this is the only time the Orangerie, Washington's greenhouse, is open to the public.

Call for exact dates and hours

Annual Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair

703-836-2176

301 King St.

Admission Free

More than 70 crafters display wares including painted clothing, stained glass, watercolors, jewelry, pottery and more at Market Square.

Open 1-6 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. with live music from 1 to 4.

Call for exact dates

May

Lantern Tours

703-838-4242

Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St.

Admission Charged These popular candlelight tours, offered Friday nights, focus on tavern life in the 18th century.

Call for exact dates and hours

Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival

703-883-4686

Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd

Admission Free

Performers include the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, Yvonne Johnson, Doc Dikeman Big Band, Al Williams and the Village Jazz Band.

1-8 p.m.

Call for exact date

June Civil War Camp Day

703-838-4848

Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road

Admission Charged Living history program featuring Union and Confederate reenactors and civilian interpreters. This late-war event features camp scenes, children's games, period music, vignettes, firing demos and tours of the fort.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call for exact date

Annual Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront

703-549-8300

Oronoco Bay Park, Union and Madison Streets

Admission Charged

Jazz, rock & roll and oldies, visiting tall ships, living history exhibits, children's events, arts & crafts, and concession stands

6-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday Call for exact date

June-October 2005

Doggie Happy Hour

703-549-6080

480 King St.

Admission Free Every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., meet two- and four-legged friends in the courtyard of the Holiday Inn. Select eats, treats and drinks for all.

Call for exact dates

July

USA & Alexandria Birthday Celebration

703-883-4686

Bay Park, Union and Madison Streets

Admission Free Celebration starts at 4 p.m. with a festival saluting Alexandria's ethnic diversity at 4 p.m. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra presents 'Swinging on the Waterfront,' a salute to Big Bands with swing dancers at 9 p.m. Grand finale with "1812 Overture" and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Call for exact date

Annual Virginia Scottish Games

703-912-1943

Episcopal High School, 3901 W. Braddock Rd

Admission Charged Alexandria celebrates its rich Scottish heritage with one of the nation's largest exhibitions of Scottish culture. See the Retreat Parade featuring bagpipe bands, Highland dancing with hundreds of competitors, a British antique auto show, dog events, clan tents, concession stands and the kirkin o' the tartans church service

Call for exact date and times

August

Tavern Day at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

703-838-4242

Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St.

Admission Free

A day of tavern life with displays, activities and programs.

Noon-4:30 p.m.

Call for exact date

Carlyle Housewarming

703-549-2997

Carlyle House Museum and Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St.

Admission Free

Music, refreshments and costumed interpreters bring Carlyle House alive, recalling when John Carlyle and his bride Sarah Fairfax moved into their newly built mansion in 1753.

Noon-4:30 p.m. August 1-15, 2004 Call for exact date

Annual Friendship Firehouse Festival

703-838-4994

107 S. Alfred St.

Admission Free  

See antique fire-fighting equipment, crafts, displays and live music with special treats for children.

Call for exact dates and hours

September  

Alexandria Festival of the Arts

703-838-5005

King Street, "Old Town" Historic District.

Admission Free  Join more than 150 local and nationally known artists for this two day, outdoor art festival featuring paintings, sculpture, jewelry, glassware, photography and more!

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call for exact dates

Annual Tour of Historic Alexandria Homes

703-683-5544

Old Town

Admission Charged

Tour some of the city's most beautifully restored and decorated homes.

10a.m.-3 p.m. Call for exact dates

18th-Century Fair at Mount Vernon

703-780-2000

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

Admission Free

Several juried artisans demonstrate their crafts and sell their wares, with Colonial music, a variety of entertainment, including fire-eaters and grave robbers, and hearty food. George Washington's 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call for exact dates

October

Art on the Avenue

703-683-3100

Mount Vernon Avenue

Admission Free

Multicultural arts festival celebrating diversity through the arts in the Potomac West community. Artists and artisans of all kinds discuss their work and demonstrate. Also features tastings from restaurants and musical performances.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for exact dates

Alexandria Arts Safari

703-838-4565

Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St

Admission Free Art demonstrations, lots of hand-on activities for children and adults as well as architectural and archeological tours. This family event celebrates the diversity and creativity in Alexandria Call for exact dates and hours

Fall Harvest Family Days

703-780-2000

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens

Admission Charged Harvest celebration with dancing, blacksmithing, wagon rides, bake sale and free pumpkin for children under age 11.

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Call for exact dates

Historic Hauntings – “Nights of Lost Souls”

703-838-4242

Admission Charged

The historic sites around Alexandria's Market Square are haunted! From 7-10 p.m. brave these sites, if you dare.

Call for exact dates

November

Historic Alexandria Antiques Show and Sale

703-549-5811

Holiday Inn & Suites, 625 First St.

Admission Charged

Features dealers from around the country with a preview party.

Noon-8 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; noon-5.p.m. Sun

Call for exact dates

Mount Vernon By Candlelight

703-780-2000

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens.

Admission Charged Learn about the Washington's Christmas traditions, meet historic characters and tour the home by candlelight, including the rarely seen third floor.

5-9 pm.

Call for exact dates

December

Holidays at Mount Vernon

703-780-2000

Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens

Admission Charged The Washington’s' seasonal entert