November in Alexandria: Veterans Day Nov. 11, the tree lighting and Cider Festival Nov. 21, the Turkey Trot Nov. 26, then both holiday parades Saturday, Dec. 5.

Last checked Nov. 8, 2026. Rebuilt on the first of each month and refreshed weekly. Every listing links to the organizer; times and prices are as published on the city calendar and by the organizers. For the coming weekend see things to do this weekend; for galleries, concerts and theater see arts and exhibitions this month.

November in Alexandria runs from Veterans Day to the start of the holiday season. The city’s Veterans Day Ceremony is Wednesday, Nov. 11; Saturday, Nov. 21, brings both the Alexandria Cider Festival and the Holiday Tree Lighting, at Waterfront Park for the first time; and the 51st Turkey Trot fills Del Ray on Thanksgiving morning. The Scottish Walk Holiday Parade and Boat Parade of Lights follow on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Before you go

  • Visitor information: Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King St., 703-838-5005
  • City services and events: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311
  • Parking and transit: see our getting around guide

Today, Sunday, Nov. 8

  • Pictures at an Exhibition, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, 3 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive (tickets).
  • Apothecary Museum 20th Anniversary Open House, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Free guided tours (city listing).

This week, Nov. 9-15

  • Veterans Day Ceremony, 1 to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Free. The city and the Friends of Rocky Versace hold an indoor ceremony with patriotic music, recognition of veterans and Gold Star families, and a reading of the names of Alexandria’s 68 Vietnam War dead (city listing). City offices and recreation centers are closed that day, and Wednesday and Thursday trash pickup slides one day; see our trash and recycling guide.
  • The Forces Awaken!, 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. $15, $12 for Historic Alexandria members. Educator Dean Howarth re-creates the science demonstrations once staged at Lyceum Hall in the 1840s and 1850s (city listing).
  • Specialty Tour: Fort Ward and Civil War Music, 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road (city listing).
  • Friendship Firehouse Museum open house, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at 107 S. Alfred St. Free for Alexandria residents, $3 for others (city listing).

Later in November

  • Alexandria Cider Festival, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St., and on Queen Street. $55 through Nov. 20, $25 for designated drivers, $65 at the door if space remains (city listing).
  • Bienvenue Beaujolais, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St. $80, ages 21 and over. The Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee pours the 2026 Beaujolais Nouveau and other French wines with French food (city listing).
  • Holiday Tree Lighting, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Waterfront Park, 1 Prince St. Free, with music and Santa (city listing). More on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
  • Alexandria Holiday Invitational Cheer Competition, 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in the Alexandria City High School gymnasium, 3330 King St. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Tickets at the door: free for ages 4 and under, $5 for ages 5 to 12 and seniors, $10 for ages 13 and up (city listing).
  • 51st Alexandria Turkey Trot, 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, from George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. Five miles through Del Ray; late online fees are $15 to $30 by age (race page). Closings and free meals are on our Thanksgiving page.
  • Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28; see our holiday shopping guide.
  • Specialty Tour: Women in Medicine, 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. $15, $12 for Historic Alexandria members; the tour uses stairs (city listing).
  • Family Holiday Magic Show, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Lyceum. Free; reserve a seat and bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Fund for Alexandria’s Child (city listing).

December, to Dec. 20

When What Where Cost
Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. Scottish Walk Holiday Parade King, Royal and Fairfax streets, Old Town Free
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friendship Firehouse Museum open house 107 S. Alfred St. Free for residents, $3 others
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Family Winter Holiday FUN! Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Ave. $7
Saturday, Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Waterfront, Old Town North to Ford’s Landing Park Free
Sunday, Dec. 6, noon-5 p.m. Old Town Gingerbread Decorating Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. $25 a kit
Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:30-11 a.m. Grinchmas Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. $5
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-noon Breakfast with Santa, ages 1-7 Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. $25
Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show John Carlyle Square Park, 300 John Carlyle St. Free
Saturday, Dec. 12, noon-4 p.m. Christmas in Camp Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road Free
Saturday, Dec. 12, 5-6:30 p.m. Alexandria Celebrates Kwanzaa Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. $5
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2 and 4 p.m. Colonial Handbell Ringers The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Free
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7-9:30 p.m. An Irish Christmas with John Doyle, Cathie Ryan and Mick McAuley The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. $47.56, $16.20 ages 12-17
Friday, Dec. 18, 6:30-8 p.m. Grown-Up Field Trip: Citizen Firefighter Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St. $15, $12 members

More in our holiday lights and Christmas events guide. Two Nutcrackers (Dec. 2-5 and Dec. 12-13) and “A Christmas Carol” at the Little Theatre (Dec. 4-19) are on our Nutcracker and holiday shows page.

Every week

  • 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. Parking is free during market hours in the Tavern Square and Courthouse Square garages (city market page).
  • More markets, days and SNAP details are on our farmers markets guide.

What this means for you

  • Register early for paid city events; recreation center parties and Breakfast with Santa are small.
  • Nov. 21 is a big Old Town evening: the Cider Festival ends at 5 p.m. and the tree lighting starts at 6 p.m. a few blocks away. Take DASH, the King Street Trolley or Metro.

Send us your event

Holding something in Alexandria? Email hello@alexandrialocalnews.com with the date, time, venue, price and a photo. Listings are free, and they go on this page and in our events diary.

Related guides: parks and trails in Alexandria and Alexandria history and landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Alexandria in November 2026?

The Veterans Day Ceremony is 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Mount Vernon Recreation Center. Nov. 21 brings the Alexandria Cider Festival at Lloyd House and the Holiday Tree Lighting at Waterfront Park, and the 51st Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.

Where is the Alexandria Veterans Day ceremony?

At Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. It is free and indoors, held by the city and the Friends of Rocky Versace, and includes a reading of the names of Alexandria’s 68 Vietnam War dead.

When is the Alexandria tree lighting 2026?

6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Waterfront Park, 1 Prince St., a new location this year. It is free, with music and a visit from Santa.

Is the Old Town Farmers’ Market open in November?

Yes, every Saturday year-round from 7 a.m. to noon. While Market Square is renovated it sets up in the 100 block of North Royal Street and the Tavern Square courtyard.