19th Annual Alexandria Boat Parade of Lights

On the day of the Campagna Center’s iconic Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, Alexandria's historic waterfront shines as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise the Potomac River for the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, which was named a Top 10 Best Holiday Parade by the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards in 2017.

Tommy McFly of TommyShow.com and NBC4 will serve as the parade announcer. Enjoy festivities at the Alexandria City Marina from 4 to 8 p.m., including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company featuring their popular seasonal Tidings Ale, a pop-up Vola’s Dockside Grill and giveaways from Lyft, which is also offering 20% off your ride to the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights with the code HOLIDAYPARADE18!.

Take part in a Letters to Santa postcard pop-up from paper goods boutique Penny Post, a DIY holiday wood ornament craft activity from AR Workshop Alexandria and a hot chocolate bar from Dolci Gelati. Parade-goers are invited to step into the Torpedo Factory Art Center, located at the Alexandria City Marina, for their annual holiday festivities from 2 to 8 p.m.

Parade viewing areas: Founders Park (351 North Union Street), Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron Street), Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street), Shipyard/Harborside Park (1 Wilkes Street), and Ford’s Landing Park (99 Franklin Street)

Schedule at the Alexandria City Marina: 

2 to 8 p.m. Festivities inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center

4 to 8 p.m. Pop-up Beer Garden from Port City Brewing Company featuring Tidings Ale

4 to 8 p.m. Pop-up Vola’s Dockside Grill4 to 7 p.m. Lyft giveaways

4 to 7 p.m. Penny Post Letters to Santa Postcard Pop-up 

4 to 7 p.m. AR Workshop Alexandria DIY Holiday Wood Ornament Craft Activity

4 to 7 p.m. Dolci Gelati Hot Chocolate Bar

5:30 p.m. Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights begins

The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is part of a Potomac River holiday tradition with The District’s Holiday Boat Parade taking place at The Wharf in Washington, D.C. the same evening at 7 p.m.