Photo by Sam Kittner for Visit Alexandria
Kittner_20190622_8_2672
Portside in Old Town Festival
This summer, enjoy an abundance of festivals, outdoor music, pub crawls and more in Alexandria, recognized by Travel + Leisure among the Best Places to Travel in 2023 and Best Cities in the U.S. 2022 and voted a Condé Nast Traveler Top 5 Best Small City in the U.S. 2022.
The free Portside in Old Town Summer Festival sponsored by Ting returns this year with a two-day soiree featuring an array of live music, local craft beer, hands-on activities and more.
Let the Around the World Cultural Food Festival spirit you away with the sights, sounds and flavors of dozens of nations. Plus, don’t miss summer celebrations in the Carlyle and Del Ray neighborhoods.
For more summer events and activities in Alexandria, see the listings below:
Portside in Old Town Summer Festival sponsored by Ting
Fri. and Sat., June 16 and 17, 2023 Time: 6 to 9 p.m., Fri., June 16; 1 to 9 p.m., Sat., June 17Admission: FreeWaterfront Park, 1A Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Kick off summer with the return of the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival sponsored by Ting. This free festival features an array of live music, local craft beer from Port City Brewing Company and fun for the whole family on the Alexandria waterfront. The event features Friday evening jazz performances and readings by Alexandria poets as part of the ALX Jazz Fest presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts. Saturday, the festival continues with an eclectic musical lineup, local food, hands-on art and history activities and more. The Portside in Old Town Summer Festival sponsored by Ting is produced by Visit Alexandria in partnership with the City of Alexandria's Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
Art Night in Old Town
May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21 and October 19, 2023, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.Admission: FreeVarious locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314 oldtownbusiness.org
On the third Thursday of each month, discover an art gallery and/or cultural arts organization offering an evening of fine art and studio crafts. Come to Old Town for an evening of art and stay for dinner at a nearby restaurants More information on participating art galleries and restaurants can be found at oldtownbusiness.org.
Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair
June 3, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Volunteer Alexandria presents the Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair on June 3, 2023, at Waterfront Park. The fair features local and regional artists and crafters who showcase their pieces across various mediums, including pottery, stationery, fabrics, paintings, jewelry, photography and more.
Taste of Del Ray
June 4, 2023, from 1 to 3 p.m.Admission: $25 per adult and $10 for children under 12; $60 for VIP ticketsMount Vernon Recreation Center fields, 2701 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305visitdelray.comNamed one of Virginia’s top food festivals by Virginia Living Magazine readers, Taste of Del Ray showcases the diversity of cuisine and creativity of chefs in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. Ticket holders will enjoy tastes from top Del Ray restaurants and can cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. The outdoor event will take place at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields. A limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for $60, offering foodies a noon entry into the festival and a wine tasting. Only 500 general admission and 100 VIP tickets will be sold.
Juneteenth African American History Bus Tour with Manumission Tour Company
June 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.Admission: $35 per person
Meets at The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Join Manumission Tour Company for the annual Juneteenth African American History Bus Tour. Ride along on a 90-minute bus tour to visit various historic sites that will tell the story of African Americans in early Alexandria. Some of the sites discussed on the tour include several historic African American churches in the city, including Alfred Street Baptist Church, Barrett Library, site of the 1939 Library Sit-In, Freedom House and many more.
USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration
July 8, 2023, from 6 to 9:45 p.m. (Rain date: July 9, 2023)
Admission: Free
Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St, Alexandria, VA 22314
The City of Alexandria celebrates its 274th birthday and the USA’s 247th birthday on Saturday, July 8, with a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and a grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the big birthday experience including cupcakes, local vendors and live music.
10th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl hosted by Port City Brewing Company
July 15, 2023, 1:30 to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Various locations throughout Old Town, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-797-2739
The Port City Brewing Company team will be at local restaurants and bars near the Alexandria waterfront, stamping pub crawl passes (available at participating locations) and handing out swag from 1:30 to 6 p.m. If you complete your Pub Crawl Pass, you will get a limited-edition pint glass. Participating restaurants include Blackwall Hitch, Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar, Chadwicks, Daniel O'Connell's, The Fish Market, Union Street Public House, Virtue Feed and Grain and Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge.
Beats, Bites and Brews in Old Town AlexandriaJuly 29, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Admission: FreeJohn Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314thecarlylecommunity.com
Head to John Carlyle Square for a full day of outdoor entertainment, featuring food, music, cold beverages, shopping and more. Local bands, food vendors, wineries and breweries, as well as other local small businesses will be on site. Tasting will be provided by the wineries and breweries, and you can purchase the tickets onsite from them directly. Admission is free, and this event is pet friendly and will occur rain or shine.
Best of the West by West End Business Association
August 5, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free (pre-registration recommended)Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304
The West End Business Association (WEBA) invites Alexandrians and neighbors to the inaugural Best of the West event celebrating the neighborhood's restaurants and consumer-facing businesses. Hosted at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, the event will feature tastings from local restaurants, vendor booths, free entertainment and some friendly competition to be named "Best of the West." Pre-registration is recommended for earlier and guaranteed entry.
Del Ray Bands and Brews Summer Bar Crawl
August 19, 2023, from 12:30 to 6 p.m.Admission: $15 Advance Tickets; $25 Day of Event Tickets
Various locations along Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Join the fun and vibrant Del Ray community for a special summer event featuring live music in outdoor restaurant venues along the Avenue. The first 250 registrants will get a swag bag with a 16oz souvenir collector’s cup! Tickets include specials on cocktails, beer and food at each of the 15+ participating restaurants, live music at every venue, trolley transportation, 50/50 raffles, a photo booth and many more fun giveaways. You must be 21+ to participate in the crawl, but children and families are welcome at family-friendly establishments and at the main stage at Pat Miller Square. Please keep in mind that this is likely to be a high-volume event. This event is being brought to you by the Del Ray Business Association and will benefit the non-profit Friends of Duncan Library.
Around the World Cultural Food Festival
August 26, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA 22314
The Around the World Cultural Food Festival takes attendees on a day trip around the world and showcases the cuisine, culture and traditions of dozens of countries. The pet-friendly event will occur rain or shine across the expansive Oronoco Bay Park.
