Calendar of Events

July

First Thursdays in Del Ray

Held the first Thursday through September along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood, First Thursday is a series of free outdoor street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting a local nonprofit.

July 6 – Red, White & Brew

Aug. 3 – Del Ray’s Country Music Showdown

Sept. 7 – Star Wars Day in a Neighborhood Far, Far Away

Mount Vernon Avenue, visitdelray.com

An American Celebration

July 4 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate our nation's independence at the home of the father of our country. During this annual, patriotic event:

• Meet George Washington.

• Watch made-for-daytime fireworks.

• Observe a moving ceremony in which people from across the world become U.S. citizens.

• Hear a musical performance by the National Concert Band.

• See 18th-century magic in upper garden with Mr. Peter Gardiner

Tickets are $26 for adults; $13 for youth ages 6-11 and is free for members.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

Trivia Nights at Historic Sites

July 7, 21 and Aug 4, 18 | 7 p.m.

Join Lee-Fendall House this summer to test your knowledge of all things from pop culture to history! Every trivia night will have a different theme.

For more events and updates, visit alexandrialivingmagazine.com's event calendar!

Concerts at The Birchmere

Check out some of the performances scheduled for July and August at The Birchmere. Check The Birchmere’s website for the latest information and a full concert list. The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.

JUL. 6, 7

Michael Franks (SOLD OUT)

JUL. 8

Be'la Dona Band

JUL. 9

Acoustic Academy

JUL. 10

Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets (SOLD OUT)

JUL. 14, 15

Kindred the Family Soul

JUL. 16

Rodney Crowell: The Chicago Sessions Tour with special guests Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley

JUL. 20

Tab Benoit

JUL. 21

Don McLean

JUL. 29

Maysa

JUL. 30

The Stylistics

AUG. 1

Kamasi Washington

AUG. 11

Jon B.

AUG. 16

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with The Guilty Ones, plus special guest Dead Rock West

AUG. 19

Chante' Moore (SOLD OUT)

AUG. 20

Dave Koz & Friends (SOLD OUT)

AUG. 21 War

AUG. 23

Steve Earl

AUG. 27

The Robert Cray Band

SEPT. 1, 2

Raheem Devaughn

The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., birchmere.com

July 7: Alexandria History

July 21: Mythology

Aug. 4: Pets

Aug. 18: 1980s

Tickets are $10 a person which includes one drink. Additional drinks can be bought at a cash bar. Teams may have up to six members each. Ages 21 and over only.

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org

Summer Art Market 2023 at Del Ray Artisans Gallery

July 8-9 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Del Ray Artisans’ Summer Art Market is a two-day, indoor event that gives you the chance to purchase original handmade artwork from talented local artists. The market showcases artwork in a wide range of media including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, paper, photography and more. Shop original work from local artists—perfect for gifts or treat yourself. Different artists are featured each day, so plan to visit the gallery both days.

Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., delrayartisans.org experience, including cupcakes, local vendors and live music.

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., alexandriava.gov

Mason Social Mojito-Making Class

July 11 | 6-7 p.m.

Shake things up and join Mason Social for an unforgettable mojito-making class! An instructor will guide you through the process, showing you the proper technique for each step, from muddling the mint to shaking the drink to perfection. By the end of the class, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to create a perfect mojito every time, impressing your friends and family with your newfound mixology skills. Plus, you’ll have a great time in a fun and relaxed environment, meeting new people and enjoying delicious drinks.

Mason Social, 728 N. Henry St., mason-social.com

Summer Garden Tour and Tea

July 13, Aug. 17 | 1-3 p.m.

Take a gentle walking tour of Green Spring’s vibrant summer demonstration gardens with an Extension Master Gardener docent. View some standout plants and plant combinations of the season and hear all about Green Spring past and present. Afterward, relax over a sumptuous afternoon tea in the 1784 Historic House. $38 for tour and tea.

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

2nd Friday

July 14, Aug. 11 | 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Every second Friday of the month through October, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is open late, holding 2nd Friday. Explore the building full of artists, enjoy music, art activations, try your hand at being creative and more. This event is free.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., torpedofactory.org

USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration

July 8

The City of Alexandria celebrates its 274th birthday and the USA’s 247th birthday the weekend after Independence Day with a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and a grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the big birthday

Archaeology Family Day

July 15 | 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Explore how archeology has shaped what we know about George Washington, Martha Washington, and the lives of the enslaved people who lived at Mount Vernon at Archaeology Family Day! Meet a Mount Vernon Archaeologist and ask

Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale

August 12, 2023 questions about their tools of the trade. Cost is included with admission.

One of the longest running seasonal summer shopping events returns to the D.C. region’s Shop Small destination for independent boutiques, Alexandria, with the annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale happening Saturday, August 12, 2023, throughout Old Town and Del Ray.The event features approximately 60 Alexandria boutiques stepping out of their storefronts and offering deeply discounted summer merchandise.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

10th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl hosted by Port City Brewing Company

July 15 | 1:30-6 p.m.

Port City Brewing Company invites you to the 10th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl! One day, one crawl, eight stops. Participation is as simple as this: Visit one of the participating restaurants, find a Port City pub crawl guide and obtain a pub crawl pass from them. You'll then take that pass and get it stamped at each participating restaurant between 1:30 and 6 p.m.

Once your pass is complete, take it to the information station (across from Mai Thai) beginning at 5 p.m. to get your limited edition pub crawl glass!

Participating locations:

• Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar

• Chadwicks

• Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant and Bar

• The Fish Market

• Union Street Public House

• Virtue Feed & Grain

• Vola's Dockside Grill / The Hi-Tide Lounge

• Blackwall Hitch portcitybrewing.com

'Freaky Friday'

July 22-Aug. 12

When a mom and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again before the big wedding! "Freaky Friday," a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the two hit Disney movies, is a hilarious and heartfelt update of an American classic in which a mother and daughter really see what it takes to be a family when they experience each other’s lives firsthand for just one freaky Friday.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., thelittletheatre.com

Date Night: Margarita-Making Class

July 24 | 6-7 p.m.

Are you looking for a fun and unique experience to share with your significant other, maybe a first date that impresses?

Then check out Urbano’s couples margarita-making class! During this class, you and your partner will learn how to make delicious margaritas from scratch. You can keep it classic or spice it up! Experienced mixologists will guide you through the process, teaching you the proper techniques for measuring, mixing and garnishing your drinks.

Urbano 116, 116 King St., urbano116.com

Beats, Bites and Brews in Old Town Alexandria

July 29 | 11 a.m.

Join Chic Events DC on Saturday, July 29, starting at 11 a.m. at 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 all for your enjoyment. Tasting will be provided by the wineries and breweries, and you can purchase tickets on site from them directly. Admission is free. This event is pet-friendly and will occur rain or shine.

John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St., chiceventsdc.com

Treasures of the DMV Art Exhibit

Aug. 4-26

Celebrate the wonders of the DMV (DC / Maryland / Virginia) from the perspective of local artists in the "Treasures of the DMV" exhibit at Del Ray Artisans. Come explore the famed, overlooked, natural and abstract highlights from the region. Attend the opening reception on Friday, Aug. 4 from 7-9 p.m. to meet the curator and artists.

Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., delrayartisans.org

Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week

August 18-27

Alexandria Restaurant Week showcases the inventiveness of local chefs in neighborhoods throughout the city with special menu items. Alexandria Restaurant Week is held semi-annually in the summer and winter. The event showcases local chefs throughout Alexandria and the diverse collection of restaurants that call the City home.

Price Structure: Restaurants can choose to offer one of the following per person price points: $25, $35, or $45 King Street

Friendship Firehouse Festival

Aug. 5 | 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Head to the 100 block of South Alfred Street to celebrate Friendship’s 249th year. Visit the historic Friendship Firehouse Museum, learn about fire safety today and in centuries past, and see City firefighting equipment up close. There will be displays by community organizations, local vendors and food and beverages available. Children will receive free Friendship fire hats. Admission is $2 per person or free for city residents.

Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S Alfred St., alexandriava.gov/FriendshipFirehouse

Best of the West by West End Business Association

Aug. 5 | 1-5 p.m.

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.

Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave., alexandriaweba.com

Del Ray Bands & Brews Bar Crawl

2023

Aug 19 | 12:30.-6 p.m.

Join the fun and vibrant Del Ray community for a special summer event, featuring live music in outdoor restaurant venues along the Avenue! Bands & Brews: Del Ray’s Summer Bar Crawl takes place Saturday, August 19 from 12:30-6 p.m. This event is being brought to you by the Del Ray Business Association and will benefit the non-profit, Friends of Duncan Library. The first 250 registrants will get a swag bag with a 16-ounce souvenir collectors cup! Advance tickets are $15 ($25 at the door), and include specials on cocktails, beer, and food at each of the 15-plus participating restaurants, live music at every venue, trolley transportation, 50/50 raffles, a photo booth and many more fun giveaways. You must be 21 or older to participate in the crawl, but children and families are welcome at family-friendly establishments and at the main stage at Pat Miller Square. visitdelray.com

2023 Around The World Cultural Food Festival

Aug 26 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Around the World Cultural Food festival is coming back in 2023 to the beautiful waterfront at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town Alexandria Saturday, August 26, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is admissionfree, with plenty of national dishes and beverages available for purchase. A national dish is any country’s culinary, and to a large extent, cultural identity. The event is pet friendly and will occur rain or shine.

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., chiceventsdc. com

Annual Begonia Show

Aug. 26, | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Aug 27 | noon-3:30 p.m.

Feast your eyes on this free show sponsored by the Potomac branch of the American Begonia Society. Be tempted with splashes of color and shapes for homes, terrariums and greenhouses that last long after frosts have put our outdoor gardens to bed. The accompanying sale offers a wide variety of begonias, including tropical and subtropical species.

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

FCPA Summer Entertainment Series

2023

Fairfax County Park Authority is once again hosting its summer entertainment series at parks around Fairfax County. Performances are held outdoors and are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Pack a picnic basket, umbrella, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy music in the parks from local and national touring groups. Mount Vernon Nights will be held Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Grist Mill Park (4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.) and Franconia Nights will be held Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Franconia Park (6601 Telegraph Road). For a full list of locations and shows visit fairfaxcounty.gov/ parks/performances.