Celebrate the Holidays in Style in Alexandria

The holidays are always an exciting time of year. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, there is just something magical about the holiday season. The city of Alexandria adds to the magic with several holiday events to help get you in the spirit.

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend

The 48th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade will take place on Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1. The parade showcases marching units of Scottish clans playing the bagpipes and Scottish drums along with dancers and re-enactment groups. The parade starts at St. Asaph and Wolfe Streets and ends at Market Square. Make sure to head to the Square for the end of the parade so you can listen to the massed band concert.

Alexandria Boat Parade of Lights

The fun doesn’t stop with the Scottish Christmas parade. Make sure to head to Alexandria’s harbor at 5:30 p.m. on December 1 to see the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. The 2018 event will mark the 18th year of this fun event that USA Today named one of the Top 10 Best Holiday Parades. It features brightly lit boats cruising down the Potomac River along the historic waterfront.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Don’t miss the annual tree lighting ceremony in Market Square. The event starts with a welcome from the Town Crier and some words from Mayor Allision Stilbergerg. You’ll also get to see a performance by Santa’s Frosty Follies from the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center, and the kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. This event is free to attend, and anyone is welcome.

The Santa Train

The annual Santa Train is one of Alexandria’s most popular holiday events. You can buy tickets at Whistle Stop Hobbies for a unique train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The trains depart from King Street Station in Alexandria and go to Old Town Manassas before returning to the station. Santa and Mrs. Claus greet all the passengers and have treats for the kids, and during the 30-minute stop in Manassas, there is time for hot chocolate and a question-and-answer session with Santa.

Alexandria Candlelight Tour

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 8 and enjoy the laid-back pace of the Alexandria Candlelight Tour. This popular event takes you through Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Carlyle House, and the Lee-Fendall House to see the holiday displays. This year, you’ll also get to see the Alexandria Black History Museum and a miniature display that tells the story of African American life in Alexandria. The tours include period-themed food, seasonal spirits, and some entertainment. Tickets cost just $25 for adults and $5 for children.

There are so many ways to get into the holiday spirit in Alexandria. You can also take a walk down historic King Street to see all the holiday lights and displays or check out the different Santa experiences throughout the season. Celebrate in style this season!

Image via Flickr by Lake Mead National Recreation Area/Under use by CC BY-SA 2.0 

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