Art on the Avenue fills Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray with 300-plus artists. Next: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2027. Trolleys, parking, kids.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the festival’s own site, artontheavenue.org.

Art on the Avenue returns from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2027, on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. The festival is held on the first Saturday in October and celebrated its 31st year on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Dates, the map and the artist list are on artontheavenue.org.

Thousands of visitors walk the avenue each year past more than 300 artists, from jewelers, potters and glass makers to painters and fabric artists, with live music, food vendors and a kids’ corner. The festival calls itself a multicultural arts and music festival, and readers of Virginia Living magazine vote it a “Best Live Event” year after year.

Who to call

  • The festival: Art on the Avenue, artontheavenue@gmail.com
  • City services and parking questions: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311

The 2027 festival at a glance
Date Saturday, Oct. 2, 2027
Time 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where Mount Vernon Avenue between Hume and Bellefonte avenues, Del Ray
Tickets The festival sells none and lists no entry fee
Kids Art Corner 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in 2026
Organizer Art on the Avenue

Road closures

On festival day Mount Vernon Avenue is closed to traffic from Hume Avenue to Bellefonte Avenue, along with the blocks immediately next to it, the festival says. We post the city’s notices on our road closures page.

Getting there and parking

The festival asks visitors to come by bike, public transportation or ride share.

  • Metro and trolley: a free trolley runs from both the Potomac Yard and Braddock Road Metro stations.
  • Bike or scooter: a bike valet operates in the Children’s House Montessori School parking lot, 104 Hume Ave. You can reserve express check-in on the bike valet’s site.
  • Uber, Lyft and taxis: the festival suggests drop-offs near Mount Vernon and Bellefonte avenues (1800 Mount Vernon Ave.) or outside the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave.
  • Car: parking is “extremely limited” and only on side streets. Follow the posted city parking rules, and do not block a driveway or intersection; the festival warns you will be towed.
  • Accessible parking: limited handicapped parking is in the Children’s House Montessori School lot at 104 Hume Ave., entered from Hume Avenue.

What to see

  • Artists: more than 300 booths along the avenue, listed by booth number in the festival program.
  • Music: bands play through the day, including on the Twin Stages block.
  • Food: street food vendors line the festival, and the avenue’s restaurants stay open.
  • Kids Art Corner: free art projects hosted by local nonprofits on the school field near Del Ray Artisans, a fixture for 30 years.
  • Pam’s Pie Competition and Bake Sale: in 2026, its 19th year, home bakers dropped off pies in the morning in front of The Dairy Godmother, 2310 Mount Vernon Ave., judging began at noon, and slices sold for $5 to benefit the Miracle League of Alexandria. Pie contest details.

What to know

  • Always the first Saturday in October. That is the festival’s own rule for setting the date.
  • Artists and volunteers: applications and volunteer sign-ups are linked from the festival’s home page.

More in Alexandria

Frequently asked questions

When is Art on the Avenue 2027?

Saturday, Oct. 2, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, according to the festival. It is always the first Saturday in October.

Where is Art on the Avenue in Alexandria?

On Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood, between Hume and Bellefonte avenues. That stretch and the blocks right off it are closed to traffic during the festival.

Where do I park for Art on the Avenue?

The festival says parking is extremely limited and only on side streets, and cars blocking driveways or intersections will be towed. Free trolleys run from the Potomac Yard and Braddock Road Metro stations, and there is a bike valet at 104 Hume Ave.

Is there anything for kids at Art on the Avenue?

Yes. The Kids Art Corner offers free art projects run by local nonprofits on the school field near Del Ray Artisans. In 2026 it was open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.