Construction fencing and pedestrian detours now surround 301 King Street. The plaza in front of City Hall has hosted Alexandria's tree lighting for years. Last November, the city said that ceremony would be the last one at the current Market Square, because renovations would start in January 2026. The renovation started on schedule. The holiday events tied to the square still have dates, but some of them don't have locations yet.
The events with a confirmed date, time, and place are on the Potomac waterfront and along Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. The two biggest civic events of the season are scheduled, but as of mid-October the city hasn't said where one of them happens or which route the other one takes.
The square is a work site until at least 2028
Grunley, the contractor, moved onto the site in late February 2026. Early work included hazardous-material abatement, demolition prep, and temporary supports around the underground garage. The city said removal of the 1960s infill building would start in September. The plan removes that 1960s addition, restores and modernizes historic City Hall, and rebuilds both the two-level garage and the plaza on top of it. The Zebra's guide to the project says the new plaza is designed with better accessibility, seating, shade, and built-in infrastructure for events and the farmers market.
The project has also had a setback. The Alexandria Times reported on Oct. 7 that crews found asbestos in March, hidden in the masonry of the 1960s exterior wall. The cleanup caused a 10-week delay and used $3 million of the $165 million project's contingency funds. The completion target is still fall 2028. The Times also noted that banners on the construction site say summer 2028. Either way, Market Square won't be available for the holidays this year, next year, or probably the year after.
The closed Market Square garage had 180 spaces. Assistant Director of Capital Projects Jenine Kotob told the Times the city is "exploring opportunities to release that sooner perhaps than the overall timeline because we know that's critical." That means an earlier garage opening is under consideration, but no date has been set.
The tree lighting has a date but no location
The city calendar lists the 2026 Holiday Tree Lighting for Saturday, November 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. The listing includes Santa arriving on the King Street Trolley, the tree lighting, and holiday music. Under location, it says "Location to be announced." It's free, and the city has tagged it with "Event Impacts," the label it uses for events that affect streets or parking.
The Scottish Walk parade is in a similar position, plus one bigger change. The parade began more than 50 years ago to celebrate the city's Scottish heritage and support the Campagna Center. This year the City of Alexandria is the lead producer, with the Campagna Center and Visit Alexandria in supporting roles. Visit Alexandria became the parade's lead producer in 2022. The city has only said it took over to make the parade an ongoing source of civic pride. Local news outlets haven't reported anything more about why. The 2026 parade is Saturday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Old Town, and the city's page says "New Route Information Coming Soon!"
So two of the season's main city-run events are now organized differently. One is moving because its usual site is a construction zone. The other is under new management with a route that hasn't been published. If your household's December plans have always started in front of City Hall, check the city's Holiday Parades page and the tree lighting listing again in November.
December 5 is the day with the most going on
The Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is also on Saturday, December 5. The city now hosts it along with the Scottish parade. Unlike the tree lighting, it doesn't depend on Market Square. Waterfront festivities run from 2 to 8 p.m., and the parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Visit Alexandria's boat parade page describes dozens of lit-up boats traveling a mile of Potomac shoreline, with food, activities, and a pop-up Port City Brewing Company beer garden in Waterfront Park. The city says more details on public viewing and boat participation are still coming.
That makes December 5 a full day. The Scottish parade runs late morning into mid-afternoon, and the waterfront events start before it ends. Taste of Scotland is the night before, on December 4, as The Zebra reported. Del Ray Artisans opens its holiday market that same Friday evening on Mount Vernon Avenue. Here's how the season looks with the dates and locations that have actually been announced:
| Date | Event | Where | Status as of Oct. 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., Oct. 25, 2 p.m. | 30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade | Mount Vernon Ave., E. Bellefonte Ave. to Mount Vernon Rec Center field | Confirmed |
| Thu., Oct. 29, 8 p.m. | Poe in Alexandria | The Lyceum | Confirmed |
| Sat., Nov. 21, 6 to 8 p.m. | Holiday Tree Lighting | Not yet announced | Location TBA |
| Wed., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. | Family Holiday Magic Show | The Lyceum | Confirmed |
| Fri., Dec. 4 | Taste of Scotland | Alexandria | Confirmed |
| Sat., Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Scottish Walk Holiday Parade | Old Town | Route TBA |
| Sat., Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. | Holiday Boat Parade of Lights | Old Town waterfront | Confirmed |
| Sun., Dec. 6, noon to 5 p.m. | Old Town Gingerbread Decorating | Gadsby's Tavern Museum | Confirmed |
| Sat., Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show | John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St. | Confirmed |
| Sat., Dec. 12, noon to 4 p.m. | Christmas in Camp | Fort Ward Museum | Confirmed |
| Sun., Dec. 13, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. | Colonial English Handbell Ringers | The Lyceum | Confirmed |
The Lyceum, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, and Fort Ward events all come from the city's holiday events page. The Christmas Market at John Carlyle Square is produced by Chic Events DC. Visit Alexandria's listing includes carolers, a DJ, an ornament station, and photos with Santa.
Mount Vernon Avenue's calendar is already set
While the Old Town events wait on locations, Del Ray has published almost its whole season. The 30th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade is Sunday, October 25, at 2 p.m. This year it adds a group and float contest to the returning stroller, wagon, and pet contests. Group and stroller entrants check in at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Howell Avenue starting at 1 p.m. and must register by 1:30 p.m. Nightmare on the Avenue, the seasonal pop-up at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue, is listed through November 1. The Del Ray Business Association's Trail of Dreadful Delights runs at participating restaurants on October 31.
December on the avenue is mapped out too. Del Ray Artisans' 31st annual Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market runs over three weekends, Dec. 4 to 6, 11 to 13, and 18 to 20, at the gallery at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue. Hours are Fridays 6 to 9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with different artists each weekend. The business association's event calendar lists a Holiday Season Kick-Off at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square on December 6, the Shops of Del Ray Holiday Sip & Shop on December 10, and the 11th Annual Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl on December 12. Times aren't posted yet for those three.
So for the first weekend of December, the schedule looks like this: Friday has Taste of Scotland and the opening night of the artisans' market. Saturday has the Scottish parade and the boat parade. Sunday has gingerbread decorating at Gadsby's and the Del Ray kick-off at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square.
Planning around a closed garage
The Saturday farmers market has moved to make room for construction, and the same nearby blocks are part of December planning. The Old Town Farmers Market is still open during the renovation. It now runs at Tavern Square and on the block of Royal Street between King and Cameron. The Market Square garage is closed. The Tavern Square garage at 418 Cameron Street is free during market hours, and the Courthouse garage at 111 South Pitt Street is another option nearby. Visit Alexandria's renovation visitor tips list North Royal, North Fairfax, King, and Cameron streets as affected by changes to traffic flow, sidewalk access, bus stops, and parking.
Here's a short checklist for the next eight weeks:
- In November, check the tree lighting listing for the venue before planning November 21.
- Look up the Scottish parade route on the city's Holiday Parades page before deciding where to watch on December 5.
- On December 5, leave extra time around the King, Cameron, Royal, and Fairfax blocks near 301 King Street. Those are the blocks where construction has already changed traffic and sidewalks.
- Don't count on the Market Square garage. It's closed for the renovation, and no early reopening date has been announced.
A few events from past years aren't on this list. As of mid-October, none of them have confirmed 2026 dates. That includes Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week. Visit Alexandria's page still lists the August 14 to 23 summer edition and says to "stay tuned" for the next one.
If you own near King and Royal and want to know how the work around Market Square is affecting nearby listings and sales, YAMO Premier Properties can put together a free market report for your block. Get Your Free Market Report.
