Holiday shopping in Alexandria 2026: Plaid Friday Nov. 27, Small Business Saturday Nov. 28, holiday markets Dec. 6 and 12, and how to get to King Street.

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the city’s Celebrating the Holidays and Getting Around pages, Visit Alexandria, DASH and the market organizers. We do not list deals or prices.

Alexandria does Black Friday its own way: the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 27, is Plaid Friday, the city’s push to send shoppers to its independent stores, followed by Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. Most of the shopping is along King Street in Old Town, where Visit Alexandria counts more than 100 independently owned boutiques, and on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.

Updated Nov. 1: the Carlyle Christmas Market now runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12, and the 4MR market has not yet posted its hours.

Before you go

  • Parking and transit: the city’s Getting Around page is updated before each holiday event
  • City services: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311
  • Holiday text alerts: text HOLIDAYSALX to 855-925-2801
  • Police non-emergency: 703-746-4444

Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday

The city’s holiday page calls Plaid Friday “Alexandria’s alternative to Black Friday” and asks residents to shop locally owned stores. Visit Alexandria presents the weekend and points shoppers to its Shop Small pages. In 2023, its Plaid Friday release counted more than 50 independent Old Town shops taking part, more than a dozen of them with early-bird offers from 6 a.m. The 2026 list was not posted when we checked.

Store hours are set by each shop. Check the shop’s own site or its listing on Visit Alexandria before you go; we will add posted hours here as stores and shopping centers publish them.

Where to shop

  • King Street, Old Town. The “King Street Mile” runs from the King Street-Old Town Metro station to the Potomac River waterfront, with independent restaurants, boutiques, galleries and specialty shops in centuries-old buildings, according to Visit Alexandria. Side streets add more stores.
  • Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and free to enter; artists sell work from their studios (art center site).
  • Del Ray. Mount Vernon Avenue has its own run of independent shops and cafes.
  • Old Town Farmers’ Market, Saturdays 7 a.m. to noon, year-round, in the 100 block of North Royal Street and the Tavern Square courtyard while Market Square is renovated. See our farmers markets guide.

Holiday markets

Date Market Where Hours
Sunday, Dec. 6 4MR Holiday Makers Market, handmade gifts from local makers Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (details) Hours not yet posted
Saturday, Dec. 12 Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show John Carlyle Square Park, 300 John Carlyle St. (details) 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free

Visit Alexandria calls Dec. 4-6 the city’s biggest holiday weekend, with the Scottish Walk Holiday Parade and the Boat Parade of Lights both on Saturday, Dec. 5. Expect big crowds and street closures in Old Town that day; see our Christmas parade and tree lighting guide.

Parking and traffic

The city says parking in Old Town is limited while City Hall and Market Square are renovated, and it asks shoppers to leave the car at home when they can:

  • King Street Trolley: free, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year, between the King Street-Old Town Metro station and City Hall, with stops every couple of blocks (DASH trolley page).
  • DASH buses are fare-free across the city.
  • Metrorail: King Street-Old Town station (Blue and Yellow lines) for Old Town; Braddock Road for the north end of Old Town and Del Ray.

More on garages and transit is in our getting around guide.

Shopping safety

The Alexandria Police Department says thefts and robberies rise during the holiday season. Its advice, from the city’s holiday safety page:

  • Park in a well-lit spot close to the entrance, lock the car and take your keys.
  • Put purchases in the trunk, out of sight.
  • Carry only the cards and cash you plan to use, and keep your bag on your shoulder, not in a cart.
  • Meet online buyers and sellers only in busy public places, and bring someone with you.

What this means for you

  • For the shop-local weekend, go Nov. 27 and 28 and take the trolley from the King Street Metro.
  • Avoid driving into Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 5; both parades fill the streets.
  • Holiday lights, Santa visits and markets are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Related guides: Thanksgiving in Alexandria, new businesses and getting around Alexandria.

Frequently asked questions

What is Plaid Friday in Alexandria?

Plaid Friday is Alexandria’s small-business answer to Black Friday, held the day after Thanksgiving, which is Friday, Nov. 27, this year. The city and Visit Alexandria promote it to steer shoppers to the city’s independent stores.

Where are the holiday markets in Alexandria?

The 4MR Holiday Makers Market is Sunday, Dec. 6; the market has not posted its hours yet. The Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at John Carlyle Square Park, 300 John Carlyle St. Admission is free.

Is parking hard in Old Town during the holidays?

Yes. The city says parking in Old Town is limited while City Hall and Market Square are renovated, and asks shoppers to use DASH, the free King Street Trolley, Metrorail, walking or biking.

Is the King Street Trolley free?

Yes. DASH runs the free King Street Trolley every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year, between the King Street-Old Town Metro station and City Hall.