R Kennedy for Visit Alexandria
A participant in the Scottish Walk in Old Town Alexandria.
Alexandria is gearing up for what it does best: Celebrating the holidays! During Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend, locals and visitors alike can celebrate the return of top signature events, including the 51st AnnualAlexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in historic Old Town Alexandria at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups and more. Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and was named after Scotsman John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria. Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with the iconic parade.
More than 120 parade units include more than 35 Scottish clans from around the D.C. region and other parts of the U.S. Bagpipers include the Kiltie Band of York and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums plus a bagpiping Santa closing the parade. A pipe band and color guard will be presented by St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, D.C., which is a charitable and social fraternity of Scottish descendants established in Alexandria in 1760, and a founding parade partner along with Campagna Center and the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. Other parade delegates include the Lord and Lady Provost from Dundee, Scotland (Alexandria’s sister city), the Scottish Government's Scottish Affairs Office, and Scottish university alumni groups. This year’s Grand Marshal is Redella “Del” Pepper, the recently retired, longest-serving member of Alexandria City Council with more than 36 years of service to the community.
Parade-goers will be entertained by Scottish country dancers and Tinkus Bolivia USA, featuring Bolivian music and dance. More than 10 dog groups will make their way along the route while antique cars will accent a few groups. Crowd favorite Clan Bell Society will once again march in Star Wars costumes and will escort a mini horse. Groups from the community include local nonprofits, scout groups and youth sports teams, as well as a School of Rock Alexandria student band, and a truck with vintage décor and holiday music from the team behind the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market. Many parade units distribute candy to the crowd.
Several minutes after the last parade unit has finished the parade route, participating pipe bands will reassemble at Market Square to play a few tunes as part of a massed band concert.
Parade-goers should plan ahead to avoid traffic delays resulting from road closures and high event attendance by arriving early, taking alternative transportation and, if driving, parking outside of the immediate parade zone. The parade kicks off on S. St. Asaph Street at the corner of Wolfe Street and progresses north to Queen Street, east to Fairfax Street, south to King Street, and west to terminate in front of City Hall. For the best views, spread out along the one-mile parade route.
The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, paired with the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon, creates the foundation for Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend. Make it a winter weekend getaway with a hotel stay, cozy cafes and pubs for unforgettable meals, holiday shopping at hundreds of independent boutiques and festive happenings all weekend long.
The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade is produced by Visit Alexandria through a new partnership with Campagna Center and the City of Alexandria. Thank you to our sponsors Naborforce and the Scottish Government. The weekend kicks off on Friday, December 2 with the Campagna Center’s Taste of Scotland, a festive cocktail party at the Torpedo Factory Art Center featuring whiskey-tasting stations, hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine bars and a custom art exhibit.
For more details on the parade route, transportation alternatives and weekend happenings, visit ALXScottishWalk.com.
Volunteer opportunities may be found at VolunteerAlexandria.org/Parade.
