15 Summer Events In Alexandria You Can't Miss In 2021

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Visit Alexandria has announced a packed lineup of summer events to check out in 2021.

The events include outdoor, socially-distant and virtual options to take the COVID-19 pandemic into account. Returning events include the Alexandria drive-in movies, fireworks at George Washington's Mount Vernon, and Taste of Del Ray in a new format.

Below are the early summer events ordered by date in Alexandria. Stay tuned as more events may be announced at a later time. For a full guide to summer events, see VisitAlexandriaVA.com/Summer.

Tall Ship Providence River Cruises and Dockside Tours: Dockside ship tours available now, Potomac River cruises beginning May 27, Wednesdays through Sundays

Tall ship Providence, 1 Cameron Street

Admission: Dockside ship tours are $16 adults, $14 military/senior, $12 children, age 5-12; Cruises are between $45-$69 per person

Alexandria's resident tall ship Providence will offer dockside ship tours in the morning and two river cruises in the afternoon Wednesday to Sunday. Specialty cruises will include tasting cruises featuring cideries, rum and bourbon distilleries as well as maritime heritage cruises highlighting maritime history topics and other speakers. The ship is a replication of the first ship authorized to serve in the Continental Navy under the command of John Paul Jones. The replica ship also appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean films. Masks are required on all cruises and tours.

Alexandria Drive-In Movie Series: Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer

5001 Eisenhower Avenue

Admission: $40 per car

Alexandria Drive-In series will stick around for the whole summer, screening movie classics and family favorites. Each event features food trucks on site providing sweet and savory food. Proceeds benefit ATHENA Rapid Response Innovation Lab, a charity funding projects for local students and healthcare workers, including custom-made personal protective equipment. Masks are required whenever guests are outside their vehicles. New movie lineups are announced each month. The May schedule is available now. The July schedule will be available at the end of May, and August schedule will be available at the end of June.

Classical Movements "Sounds of Hope & Harmony" Secret Garden Concert Series: Thursdays at 5:30 and 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 7 p.m. throughout the summer

The Rectory at Princess Street, 711 Princess Street

Admission: $42 per person

Classical Movements will present a 40-concert series of intimate, socially-distanced concerts and recitals at the Secret Garden of the Rectory on Princess Street. The series features chamber music, recitals by stars of instrumental performance and opera, choral programs, jazz, dance and more. There will also be four Savory Soirees, a pairing of concert programs with gourmet meals and wine. Select programs celebrate holidays such as Juneteenth and Bastille Day.

King & Rye’s Cocktail Garden: April 21 through summer

480 King Street

King & Rye debuted the latest pop-up in a series of seasonal experiences in the expansive courtyard. The new Cocktail Garden allows you and your pod to enjoy lounge areas, intimate dining spaces, fire pits and menu of seasonal cocktails. The cocktail program by General Manager and Executive Bourbon Steward Allison Strunk expands on King & Rye's regular offerings, and Peter McCall created a Southern-inspired menu for the garden.

Taste of Old Town North: April 21 to June 21

Various locations in Old Town North

Admission: $10 for a passport

The reimagined Taste of Old Town North is a two-month event featuring deals at small businesses. Purchase a passport to receive discounts at participating businesses in Old Town North. Passports may only be used once at a participating business. Those who complete m75 percent of the passport by June 21 will be entered into a drawing for prizes. Proceeds benefit Proceeds benefit the Old Town North Community Partnership and ALIVE-inc.org. Passports can be purchased at oldtownnorth.org or at the community table at the Old Town North Farmers Market on Thursdays.

First Thursdays in Del Ray

May 6, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m.

Various locations in Del Ray

First Thursday is a series of monthly street festivals from April to September along Mount Vernon Avenue. Each month's festival has a different theme and benefits a local nonprofit. The themes of the upcoming events are "Dog Days in Del Ray," "Unmask Your Superhero First Thursday," "First Thursday Red, White & Blue," "First Thursday Aloha Thursday" and "First Thursday Show Your Spirit."

Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market: May 8, June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parking lot of 1900 Mount Vernon Avenue

Admission: Free

This market hosted by Del Ray residents and businesswomen Lauren Fisher and Amy Eggers features vintage, antique and flea market items on the second Saturday of every month. Residents can participate either as shoppers or vendors, with items ranging from vintage and like-new clothing to housewares, sports memorabilia, child and baby items, artwork and more.

Discover Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour with Carlyle House: May 15, June 12 and July 17, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: $20 per person

Visit Carlyle House for a one-and-a-half hour tour of Alexandria, exploring the various architecture styles of the city. Reservations are required due to limited space, and COVID-19 guidelines will be in place. The tour is rain or shine except in the case of severe weather.

12th Annual Taste of Del Ray: June 4 to 6

Various restaurants in Del Ray

Admission: $5 per person

After a cancellation in 2020, the 12th Annual Taste of Del Ray will happen with a takeout format from June 4 to 6. Throughout the weekend, each participating restaurant will offer participants up to three select "tastes" for $5 each. Restaurants are also encouraged to offer cocktail pairings to complement their dishes. Online registration is $5 and includes the exclusive menu of available tastes and specialty cocktails, plus a ballot for the People’s Choice Award.

Beyond the Battlefield: A Walking Tour of Civil War Alexandria: June 12, 9 a.m.

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street

Admission: $15 per person

This one-hour-and-a-half walking tour focus on the stories of soldiers, citizens, and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War era Alexandria. The discussion covers military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation. Masks are required, and the tour is limited to 10 participants. Walking tours take place rain or shine. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Members of Lee-Fendall House get free admission but must call or email to make a reservation at 703-548-1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org.

"Tell Me Your Name" Tour at Carlyle House: June 18, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax Street

Admission: $10 per person

This tour focuses on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and his plantations with the historical context of slavery in 18th century Alexandria. It also discusses the ongoing research efforts to connect with descendants. Reservations are required due to limited space, and COVID-19 procedures will be followed.

Craft Beer Festival at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: June 19 to 20, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

Admission: $40 for members, $48 for general public

Sample craft beer from local breweries and see how beer was brewed in the 18th century. The event will include concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Food Truck, 18th-century ice cream-making demonstration and more.

Under the Same Roof: Enslaved and Free Servants at the Lee-Fendall House: June 19, 2 p.m.

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street

Admission: $10 per person

On Juneteenth, explore the Lee-Fendall House from the perspectives of the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in the home as domestic servants before and after the Civil War. Face masks are required, and the tour is limited to eight participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $10 per person. Lee-Fendall House members are free but must call or email to make a reservation 703-548-1789 or contact@leefendallhouse.org.

Independence Fireworks at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: June 25 to 26, 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

Admission: From $35 for adult members and $45 for adult non-members; from $22 for youth members and $33 for youth non-members

Enjoy fireworks and patriotic music to celebrate the nation's founding. Tickets are available with and without Mansion tours. Access to the Mansion is by guided tour only.

An American Celebration at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

Admission: Included with general admission ($28 for adults; $15 for youth ages 6 to 11; free for children); free for members

Mount Vernon's annual Independence Day event is a salute to the first president.