20 Can't Miss Spring 2021 Events To Check Out In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — This will be the second spring with COVID-19 restrictions, but we can make the best of it. Alexandria has plenty of socially-distant activities to look forward to during spring 2021.

Among the highlights are the upcoming "Groundswell" public art installation at Waterfront Park, Torpedo Factory Art Center’s virtual Cherry Blossom Jubilee, Lee-Fendall House Easter Egg Hunt, Del Ray's First Thursday Petal Porch Party, Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Gardens Tour, Taste of Old Town North, and Alexandria Wedding Showcase. Visitors should be aware of local and state COVID-19 restrictions on face masks, social distancing and more.

We've rounded up spring events by date below. Visit Alexandria has a full guide to spring events at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/Spring.

"Line by Line" Exhibit at The Art League: March 10 to April 4

Location: The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

This spring exhibit from The Art Gallery features artwork as a visual response to or interpretation of a work of poetry. The juror for this show is Jordann Wine, a D.C.-based muralist and painter.

Alexandria Stylebook’s Powered by Woman Festival: March 19 to 28

Location: Various locations in Alexandria

Alexandria Stylebook, a women-owned business, will celebrate female business leaders in Alexandria during Women’s History Month. Join for virtual workshops and classes, thematic menus and product offerings and spotlights on Alexandria’s female entrepreneurs. Download a passport here and get a stamp from each business you support. Support ten participating businesses and tag @alexandriastylebook to be eligible for a free tote bag filled with goodies. Daily features on fashion, food, fitness and more are available at alexandriastylebook.com.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Flavor Pass: March 20 to April 10

Location: Various locations throughout Alexandria, VA and Washington, D.C.

Blue Fern Travel's Fork Tours is offering a Flavor Pass for specials and discounts at some of the best restaurants in and around D.C. and Alexandria, including King Street's NiceCream. The Cherry Blossom Festival Flavor Pass is good for the duration of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Flavor Passes will be mailed beginning on March 8. Guests are encouraged to share their experiences on social media. Blue Fern Travel will be keeping track and reward the person who visits the most Flavor Pass spots with two tickets for a Fork or Fizz tour, valued at $178. Admission is $30 per person.

Office of Historic Alexandria Lecture Series: "A White Historian Reads Black History," with Susan Strasser: March 20, April 24, May 15 and June 12, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Historian Susan Strasser brings experience as a civil rights activist and American history professor for this lecture series. Strasser is an award-winning historian and a distinguished lecturer for the Organization of American Historians. The four-part series is sponsored by the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project.

Cherry Blossom Celebration at Captain Gregory's: March 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; rain date March 27
Location: Captain Gregory's, 804 N Henry Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Captain Gregory's will host an outdoor patio cherry blossoms celebration with Beam Suntory. Guests will enjoy a mobile highball cart, themed décor and more. Captain Gregory's "Winter in Tokyo" menu will be available for dine-in or takeout. The menu includes a selection of Japanese spirits such as Suntory whiskey, Roku gin, Haku vodka, sake, yuzu and other Japanese staples like sochu, paired with dishes like edamame and crab hush puppies. Cocktails to-go are available from sister shop Elizabeth's Counter's grocery section. Reservations are required for the Cherry Blossom Celebration.

Easter Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House: March 27 and April 3, sessions at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Location: Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Find Easter eggs hidden in the Lee-Fendall garden in this socially-distant version of the annual egg hunt. Sessions are offered on the hour March 27 and April 3 with the first at 11 a.m. and the last at 3 p.m. Attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing. Face masks are required, and attendees should bring their own basket. Advance reservations only. Admission is $15 for participating children ages 2 to 12, $5 for accompanying adults and free for infants under 2.

Cherry Blossom Exhibition at the Torpedo Factory Art Center: March 31 to May 2, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Stop by the Torpedo Factory Art Center throughout April to view floral art displayed on all three floors. Participating artists will display their most colorful spring and cherry-blossom-inspired works in their studios from March 31, to May 2. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors should follow Virginia Safer at Home guidelines, including maintaining a social distance with people from different households, wearing face coverings indoors and frequent handwashing for 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

"Groundswell" Temporary Public Art Installation at Waterfront Park: Late March to November 2021

Location: Waterfront Park, 1 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Brooklyn-based artist Mark Reigelman created a temporary art installation to be displayed at Waterfront Park from late March to November 2021. The art depicts Alexandria's waterfront as the shoreline withdrew further into the Potomac River. Through research, he found out thousands of wood pilings were driven deeper and deeper into the Potomac River over time starting in the 18th century, which shifted Alexandria's waterfront over decades. This is the third art installation in the City of Alexandria’s "Site See: New Views in Old Town" annual public art series.

First Thursday in Del Ray: Petal Porch Party: April 1, 6 p.m.

Location: Various locations in Del Ray neighborhood

First Thursday in Del Ray returns on Thursday, April 1, with a Petal Porch Party theme. Del Ray will be part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival's Petal Porch Parade. Neighborhood porches, yards, sidewalks and windows will be decorated in a Cherry Blossom theme, and registered Del Ray homes will compete for a prize from the Del Ray Business Association. Residents are encouraged to order takeout dinner and drinks from Del Ray's local restaurants and have dinner on the front porch, front steps or front yard. First Thursday is held every first Thursday from April to September. Each month has a theme and benefits a local nonprofit.

AIA Northern Virginia Architecture Month: April 1 to 30

Location: Virtual

AIA Northern Virginia will celebrate Architecture Month through a series of programs to educate, engage and connect us to the built environment and the profession of architecture. Events will largely be in a virtual format, ranging from lectures on architecture and design to creative building activities for children and families. Most events will be free.

Easter Egg Hunt with Old Town Boutique District: April 3

Location: Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Boutique's District annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held with COVID-19 safety in mind. Participants must collect six Easter eggs from Old Town Boutique's District shops to be turned into Monday's Child or 529 Kids Consign by 5 p.m. to receive a sweet treat. No purchase is necessary.

The Late Shift Online: Cherry Blossom Jubilee by the Torpedo Factory Art Center: April 9, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center welcomes the start of spring with The Late Shift Online: Cherry Blossom Jubilee. This family-friendly celebration is a free virtual satellite event for D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. The program will be live on the Art Center’s Facebook page and archived on YouTube.

Cherry Blossom Shop & Sip with the Old Town Boutique District: April 10

Admission: $10 per ticket

Location: Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

Join the Old Town Boutique District for the annual Cherry Blossom Shop & Sip. Tickets give you access to 10 percent off at all Old Town Boutique District stores and a complimentary cherry blossom-themed cocktail or mocktail at Fontaine. Admission is $10 per ticket on Eventbrite.

88th Annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour: April 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Various locations around Old Town Alexandria

This self-guided tour will take you to garden installations and plant sale at three designated tour hubs. The ticket icludes a map of the self-guided tour and admission to the grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon from April 17 to 24. The tour is part of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, with proceeds benefiting the Garden Club of Virginia’s historic restoration projects. Face masks and social distancing are required. Tickets are $25 and only available in advance.

Alexandria Wedding Showcase: April 17 to 24

Location: Virtual and various locations

The Alexandria Wedding Showcase will follow a hybrid format this year. Couples will be able to access a mobile microsite with a directory of businesses, venues and services. For those who want to participate virtually, participating wedding company will have an option for a virtual tour, video or scheduled appointment. Couples that visit with at least five businesses during the week will be entered to win a grand prize staycation. More information will be available in the coming weeks at alexandriaweddingshowcase.com.

King & Rye’s Cocktail Garden: April 21 through summer 2021

Location: King & Rye, 480 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

The cocktail garden is the next pop-up in a series of seasonal experiences in the courtyard. Following the the Winter Wonderland Igloos and Spring Greenhouses, the new Cocktail Garden will open April 21 through the summer months. Make a reservation for yourself and members of your pod at this space with lounge areas, intimate dining spaces, fire pits and special menu of seasonal cocktails. The cocktail program, curated by General Manager and Executive Bourbon Steward Allison Strunk, is an addition to the cocktail experience at King & Rye, with a focus on a variety of spirits and fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs. Chef Peter McCall has created a Southern-inspired menu for the garden. King & Rye is continuing COVID safety standards to keep guests and staff safe.

Taste of Old Town North: April 21 to June 21

Location: Various locations throughout Old Town North, Alexandria, VA 22314

This year's Taste of Old Town North will be held over two months. Passport holders can get discounts at small businesses throughout Old Town North: The Arts and Cultural District, Parker-Gray and Braddock Road West. Passport sales will begin Sunday, March 21. Passports may only be used once at each participating business. If 75 percent of a passport has been used by June 21, the passport holder will be entered into a drawing to receive prizes. Passports may be purchased online at oldtownnorth.org or at the Community Table at the Old Town North Farmers Market on Thursdays. Admission is $10 for a passport. Proceeds support the Old Town North Community Partnership and ALIVE.

Historic Gardens at Historic Sites Lecture from Carlyle House: April 22, 7 p.m.

Location: Virtual

April is Virginia Garden month, and many historic house museums have recreated gardens on their grounds. Dean Norton, director of Horticulture at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, will give a virtual presentation about historic house gardens. Carlyle House is also partnering with both The Spice & Tea Exchange and Firehook Bakery in Alexandria to offer a tea box to-go with tea and treats. Tea boxes can be picked up at Carlyle House the day of the program between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or be delivered with contactless drop-off up to two miles from Carlyle House. Stay tuned for tickets to go on sale online. Admission will be $5 per Zoom link and $30 per tea box.

Cocktail Week with Old Town Business Association: April 30 to May 9

Admission: Varies by event

Location: Virtual and various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

The Old Town Business Association will host Cocktail Week with craft cocktails to-go and more happenings.

Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: May 1 to 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Mount Vernon will transform into a battleground as hundreds of Continentals, Redcoats and Hessians conduct military drills, perform cavalry demonstrations and engage in 18th-century battle reenactments. Explore the encampment and meet the soldiers, discuss military techniques and meet General Washington. The event is included with general admission ($28 for adults, $15 for youth ages 6 to 11, free for children, and free for members).