Image courtesy of organizers
Sails on the Potomac logo
The City of Alexandria invites residents and visitors to experience the Alexandria waterfront after hours during Sails on the Potomac and the 48th Annual ALX Jazz Fest, June 12–14, with exclusive evening receptions aboard the historic tall ship Kalmar Nyckel.
Held from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, the special ticketed receptions offer guests after-hours access to one of the festival’s signature vessels while enjoying panoramic waterfront views, heavy appetizers, wine, beer, and soft drinks. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the ship’s captain and crew and mingle with fellow history enthusiasts.
Saturday evening’s reception will include views of fireworks on the Potomac at 9 p.m., adding to the waterfront celebration during Alexandria’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Tickets are $250 for Friday night and $350 for the Saturday Evening Reception with Fireworks. Proceeds support the ongoing preservation, conservation, and interpretation work of Historic Alexandria. Tickets are available at Historic Alexandria Evening Reception Tickets.
During the day, visitors can also enjoy free ship tours from noon to 6 p.m. aboard four historic tall ships docked along the Alexandria waterfront:
- The Sultana, a reproduction British Royal Navy schooner from 1768–1772
- The Kalmar Nyckel, a reproduction of the colonial Swedish ship that landed in present-day Delaware in 1638
- The Gazela, built in 1883 and now serving as an educational vessel
- Alexandria’s own Providence, a reproduction of one of the first ships in the Continental Navy with a distinguished Revolutionary War record
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy live music, history booths, museum exhibits, and the VA250 Mobile Museum along the waterfront. Historic Alexandria’s 250th Village and Outpost will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Live performances at Waterfront Park will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday as part of the 48th annual ALX Jazz Fest.
Visitors can also stop by Historic Alexandria’s booth for historic chocolate demonstrations, made possible by the Forrest E. Mars Jr. Chocolate History Grant, exploring Alexandria’s connections to chocolate in the 18th century.
For festival details, schedules, and additional visitor information, visit alexandriava.gov/Sails250
About the Office of Historic Alexandria
The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.
