Alexandria, Virginia—located about eight miles south of Washington, D.C., on the opposite side of the Potomac River—is like the capital’s older, more enchanting sibling. The city is perhaps best known for its Old Town neighborhood, founded in 1749 and packed with historic Southern charm thanks to a plethora of gas lanterns, cobblestone streets, and 18th-century townhouses. And while it’s a must-visit destination any time of year, Alexandria shines the brightest during the holiday season.
There is no shortage of things to do in Old Town during the holidays, but one of the most exciting events to attend is the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (taking place this year on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Alexandria was founded by Scottish merchants and gets its name from John Alexander, the Scotsman who once owned the land that became the city. To honor its heritage, Alexandria celebrates with an annual mile-long parade that features multiple Scottish clans giving bagpipe and drum performances alongside their terriers and hounds.
Evan Michio Cantwell / Courtesy of Visit Alexandria
Then, on the evening of Dec. 6, a different kind of parade takes off—a nautical one. At 5:30 p.m., dozens of vessels aglow with holiday lights set sail down the Potomac for the annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Those watching from dry land can enjoy the pop-up Port City Brewing Company beer garden and food vendors that set up shop for the occasion.
The heart of Old Town is King Street, a pedestrian-only, mile-long avenue packed with independently owned boutiques and restaurants. One of my favorite places to peruse is Old Town Books, which has a great selection of reading materials for both kids and adults. There’s also Crème de la Crème, which sells a curated selection of French and Italian homewares, and The Hour, a petite shop specializing in vintage barware and cocktail accessories.
About nine miles from Old Town at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is one of the area’s most beloved holiday traditions: Christmas Illuminations. During the event, the first president’s former estate is transformed into a recreation of an 18th-century winter encampment, where visitors can watch a blacksmith at work or purchase wares from artisans specializing in historic crafts. It takes place Dec. 20 and 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and both evenings end with an impressive fireworks display. If you can’t make it to Mount Vernon but are still interested in the area’s George Washington history, keep your eyes peeled in Old Town Alexandria for plaques marking the places where he used to eat, worship, sleep, and dance.
Old Town ends its holiday season each year with the First Night Alexandria celebration. Beginning at noon on New Year’s Eve and stretching until midnight, the event is a family-friendly, alcohol-free, and budget-friendly extravaganza involving comedy performances, live music, and fireworks. There’s also an encore fireworks display at the stroke of midnight for those who are still awake—not a bad way to ring in the new year.
