5 Can't-Miss Christmas Events In Alexandria This Week

ALEXANDRIA, VA—From Old Town to Del Ray, Alexandria makes a name for itself for its packed month of Christmas events in December. In between tree lightings, parades and some of the bigger holiday events, Alexandria has found ways to keep the holiday spirit going until Christmas Day.

Here are some of the notable events coming up this week.

Holiday Bike Parade

The Holiday Boat Parade and Scottish Christmas Walk Parade have come and gone, but Alexandria residents have creative ways to keep the holiday light displays alive. On Saturday, Dec. 16, bicyclists will light up the streets of Del Ray with the annual Holiday Light Bike Parade hosted by Alexandria Spokeswomen and the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Residents are invited to deck their bikes out with holiday lights and decorations for an hour-long ride beginning approximately at 6 p.m. The route is around five miles starting in the George Washington Middle School parking lot. Participants will head to a local eatery afterward. The event will be rescheduled if there's inclement weather.

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon

Join Mount Vernon for fireworks choreographed to holiday music beginning around 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16. Take a stroll through the estate while hearing local choirs sing Christmas tunes, visit re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment in winter encampment, see a chocolate-making demonstration and learn 18th-century dance moves from costumed guides in the Greenhouse. Visitors can also purchase hot cider and chocolate, as well as holiday treats. The Shops at Mount Vernon will stay open late. Plus George and Martha Washington will also be on site to greet guests.

Free Santa Photos with King Street Trolley

Get free photos with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m.-noon courtesy of Jackie Garcia Photography. Visit Santa at Alexandria’s City Hall Market Square in the event held by Alexandria Transit Company (DASH). The King Street Trolley, will magically turn into Santa’s Workshop. The event will kick off with Santa taking a photo with Alexandria’s City Council. At noon, St. Nick will whisk away to the North Pole to finish making toys for the good boys and girls of Alexandria. All children receive a special gift from Santa, and frozen custard, hot cider and other treats will be available. DASH will be collecting unopened toy donations for the Alexandria Community Toy Drive.

Alexandria Citizens Band Holiday Concert

Join the Alexandria Citizens Band for a free holiday concert and sing-along at 7:30 pm on Friday, Dec. 15 at Del Ray United Methodist Church (100 E. Windsor Ave). Expect to hear your musical favorites, including a narrated version of the magical ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Come out decked in your holiday sweaters and Santa hats with family and friends.

Del Ray Artisans' Annual Holiday Market

Don't miss the last weekend of the holiday market to get unique gifts for your loved ones. The market offers
unique handmade products from local artists, including pottery, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts and glass. Artists donate a percentage of their sales back to Del Ray Artisans to help support future exhibits and programs. Hours are Fridays 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Want to post your next neighborhood event on the Patch? We do too! No matter how big or small it may be, if it's local, it has a place on the Patch calendar.

Posting an event is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Here's how to do it:

1. Create a Patch account and sign up to post your own local content on Patch, totally free. It's probably the easiest thing you'll do all day.
2. Make a Calendar Event and fill it with all the awesome info that people need to add it to their list of things to do in their neighborhood. Choose a fun image to upload and most importantly - have fun with it! It's your event, and the possibilities are endless.
3. Post it on Patch! That's it. Get ready for RSVPs.

You can share your event for free to three Patches, or if you really want to get the community's attention, you can pay $20 to feature your event. When an event is featured, it receives priority placement on the local calendar as well as on the homepage, article pages and in the daily newsletter (if available) the week before the event.

Image via R. Kennedy/Visit Alexandria