Schedule of Christmas Events in Old Town Alexandria
City of Alexandria's Tree Lighting CeremonyHistoric Market Square in Old Town, 301 King Street. Friday, November 23, 2012, 7-9 p.m. Rain or shine. Enjoy musical entertainment, caroling with a community sing along, and greetings from the Mayor and Santa Claus.
Christmas at Mount Vernon
November 25, 2012 - January 6, 2013, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Themed decorations, a gingerbread Mount Vernon, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, and 18th-century dancing will be offered. Visit Aladdin, George Washington's Christmas Camel, take special Mansion tours, and make a Chocolate Toast to Christmas.
Torpedo Factory Art Center Open House
November 29, 2012, 6-9 p.m. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and celebrate the holiday season with live jazz, an art raffle, door prizes, wine, and refreshments.
Scottish Walk Weekend
November 30-December 1, 2012. The Campagna Center hosts a weekend holiday celebration. Hundreds of Scottish clansmen with their bagpipes gather for the traditional favorite Scottish Walk Parade on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 11 a.m., in Old Town. See photos of the parade. The weekend includes a tour of historic homes and a Christmas Marketplace and Café.
Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
December 1, 2012, 4-8:30 p.m. Dozens of festively decorated pleasure boats light up the sky along the Potomac River. The parade repeats in Georgetown on Dec. 5th.
Old Town Candlelight Tours
December 8-9, 2012. Historic Alexandria will host candlelight tours at four festively decorated historic sites in Old Town. George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, Gunston Hall, and Woodlawn Plantation will also host festive events in historic settings throughout the month.
Christmas in Camp at the Fort Ward Museum
December 8, 2012, noon to 4:00 p.m. Experience the festive sights and sounds of Christmas during the Civil War at this popular family event that features living history, music of the period, decorations, refreshments and tours. Suggested donations are $2/adults and $1/children.
Colonial Ringers Handbell Ensemble at the Lyceum Museum
December 16, 2012, 2 and 4 p.m. Enjoy some holiday merriment with the area’s premier English handbell ensemble, “The Colonial Ringers and the Canterbury Ringers,” as they perform a wide variety of Christmas music. Join in and sing along with your favorite Christmas carols.
Transportation and Parking in Old Town
The City of the Alexandria makes getting to and around Old Town easy with the Dash About free bus shuttle, which runs every 15 minutes, Fridays, 7 p.m.- midnight; Saturdays, 10 a.m.- midnight; Sundays, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. The colorfully-painted Dash About travels from the King Street Metro to the Ramsay House Visitors Center at 221 King Street, returning to the Metro with stops along the way. Passes for free parking at 2-hour meters are also available for out-of-town visitors at the Visitors Center. See a map of AlexandriaFor updated information on holiday events, call the Ramsay House Visitors Center at 703-838-5005.
