54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Saturday, Dec. 6

The big holiday weekend in Alexandria is almost here. Here's a look at some of the details.

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The big holiday weekend in Alexandria is almost here. Here's a look at some of the details of the 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, taking place Saturday, Dec. 6 in Old Town Alexandria. Here's a look at some of the details, courtesy of Visit Alexandria:

This year’s Grand Marshal is Mayor of Alexandria Alyia Gaskins. 

This year’s Masters of Ceremonies are Julie Carey and Heather Haddock. Carey is the Northern Virginia bureau chief for NBC4. She’s been covering Northern Virginia and Virginia politics, courts, crime, growth, education and government policy since she arrived in Alexandria in 1992. She and her husband, Mike Tackett, live in the Beverley Hills neighborhood, and their adult children are proud graduates of the Alexandria City Public Schools.

Haddock is the past president of the Scottish American Women’s Society of Washington, D.C., an organization dedicated to educating its members and the public about Scottish and Scottish-American history, culture, and traditions—particularly highlighting the contributions of women.

Here's more about the big day:

Admission: The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade is free and open to the public. No tickets are required to attend.

Viewing Areas: Enjoy the parade from anywhere along the mile-long route through Old Town. If watching Scottish Walk by Market Square, please do not climb on trees, planters, or walls.

Seating: While there is no reserved seating areas, attendees are welcome to bring a pop-up chair. However, viewers are asked not to block sidewalks, streets or residences.

Food: Attendees are encouraged to pick up a snack or shop small at one of the many local businesses in Old Town Alexandria.

For a quick grab-and-go option, pick up a fresh pastry and hot drink to-go from the Old Town Farmers’ Market, located steps from the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and open from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Select vendors will stay after the parade ends and into the afternoon.

Participants: The Scottish Walk features elements that celebrate Scottish, holiday and other creative themes in addition to a wide array of organizations and groups representing Alexandria’s community. The content of the parade is curated and selected in advance by parade organizers. Many have participated in this event for decades and others are participating for the first time.

All Scottish Walk participants are required to take part in an official application and registration process in advance of the event. Same-day registration is not permitted. No walk-up or drive-up participation is allowed.

Dogs: A high volume of attendees are expected at this event and dogs that are official participants of the Scottish Walk. While the parade organizers love furry friends, dogs may be more comfortable at home. Service animals are allowed. If you must bring your dog, please no retractable leashes.

Restrooms: Several portable toilets, including 1 ADA unit, will be available near Market Square on N. Royal Street. There are also public restrooms at the Alexandria Visitor Center located at the corner of Fairfax and King Streets. Part of the parade route is close to Old Town’s commercial corridor on King Street.

Photography/Videography: Photographers will be present to capture images to be used in future promotional use. By attending the parade you are granting permission for your photo to be captured. Personal photography is allowed, but please stay out of the way of the parade participants.

Neighborhood Impact/Safety: Please be mindful of people around you and know that a significant portion of the route passes residential areas. Please dispose of trash properly and spread out along the route. Help us ensure that sidewalks remain accessible and passable. Please do not cross the parade route in front of vehicles and keep a close eye on children and dogs.

Here's a look at the schedule for Saturday (Both parades will take place rain or shine. Stay tuned for day-of announcements here. To sign up for text alerts, text “ALXEVENTS” to 888777).

Schedule

54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade: Saturday, Dec 6, 2025, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Historic Old Town Alexandria (King/Royal/Fairfax Streets) 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. 

25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights: Saturday, Dec 6, 2025, Parade at 5:30 p.m. Dockside festivities from 2–8 p.m. at the Waterfront Park / Old Town waterfront. 

The Alexandria Singers “Unwrapped” Holiday Pops Concert: Saturday, Dec 6 — 7:30 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Theater.

  • Public transit (DASH buses, King Street Trolley) will operate: the free King Street Trolley will run a modified route 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on parade day. Expect street closures / heavy pedestrian traffic downtown Old Town, especially along the parade route. Many local businesses, restaurants, and shops along King Street and the waterfront will likely be open — especially during the parades and holiday festivities. If you plan to drive: parking will be limited, and traffic may be congested. Using Metro (King Street – Old Town station), water taxi, bike, DASH bus or walking is recommended.

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 Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. 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.

The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade started as a community event more than 50 years ago to highlight the city’s Scottish heritage and support the mission of the , then known as the Community Y. The Campagna Center partnered with St. Andrew’s Society Washington, DC, Old Presbyterian Meeting House and the City of Alexandria to produce the parade and associated events led by Junior and Supporting Friends of the Campagna Center. 

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