Get Ready for Expanded “Christmas in Alexandria” Events

(CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE)

At Explore Alexandria Tourism we get to hear what people want, both residents and visitors alike. As part of listening to what’s important to them it’s clear we all long for connection and love community celebrations, especially during the holidays. Introducing “Christmas in Alexandria.”

A relatively new collaboration in Alexandria is a group of community members called “The Friends of Christmas.”  Their efforts have been aimed at extending the activities and reach of Alexandria’s community Christmas celebration held the day after Thanksgiving (THIS year, Nov. 24^th). 

For decades, the annual Christmas in the Fort event has been put on by the Runestone Museum and they will host it again this year.  As Alexandria’s official kick-start to the Christmas season it feels like a real-life Hallmark movie. 

This multi-tiered community event continues to grow.  Several years ago the Parade of Trees was added (at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum’s Boathouse).  Incidentally, this year when you pay to cast your vote for your favorite decorated Christmas tree proceeds go to help the Alzheimer’s Association.  

Once again the Alexandria Carolers and the Zion Children’s Choir will sing.  Both choral groups will sing on the Stagecoach Stop in Fort Alexandria and also on the Legacy of the Lakes Gardens stage.  Expect Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate/cider/coffee and cookies.  The downtown Christmas Lights will be turned on ceremoniously at 5:15pm.  Counselor Realty will have a booth welcoming people into the 200 block of Broadway.  The aroma of Doug’s Kettle Korn will fill the air and Copper Trail Brewing Company will have fire pits to help the crowds keep warm.  They will also have violin music starting at 5:00pm. 

For the second year in a row the Friends of Christmas are coordinating a “Lights on Broadway” Holiday Parade.  In its inaugural year, the parade garnered thousands of spectators and more than 40 lighted floats!  This year the parade will start a little earlier (at 5:30pm) and more than 60 floats are expected.  Thanks to funds from Explore Alexandria Tourism, KOOL-TV will broadcast the parade on their TV channels and will have it available the rest of the month of December digitally on their website and through Roku and FireTV.  Mayor Bobbie Osterberg, the ever fun and entertaining Patrick Sieve and Explore’s Joe Korkowski will host the show under the marquee at the Andria Theatre.  (Please don’t park on Broadway from 4^th to 8^th avenues after 4:00pm that night).

CLICK HERE to see KOOL-TV Promo.

A huge thank you goes out to the people and businesses who made donations to the Friends of Christmas for a new Garden of Lights Walking Light Tour in the Legacy of the Lakes Garden.  The free walk-through display will be turned on the night of November 24^th, but will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 4:30-8:00pm until December 31^st.  There will be thousands of twinkly lights and displays for you to walk through in the beautiful gardens throughout the holiday season. 

Lastly, there will be a Saturday Christmas Market Nov. 25^th and Dec. 2^nd from 10a-2p down at Big Ole Park.  You’ll find Christmas trees (sold by Centennial Tree Farm), wreaths and swag sold by Scout Troop 426, hot chocolate and cookies sold by the Alexandria Figure Skating Club, gifts by Kalon Prep students, Deja Bleu coffee, Specialty soaps by Ted Haar and friends, ice skating (weather permitting), photo opportunities galore and more.  

If Norman Rockwell was still alive, I suspect he would be very busy capturing all these picturesque holiday moments. You can find much more information about these great community events online at www.ChristmasInAlex.com.