25 Spring Events To Check Out Around Alexandria In 2020

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Although this winter has been one of the mildest in recent years, you may still be ready for spring to arrive. In Alexandria, that means an array of events arrive.

The season starts with cherry blossom events centered around the anticipated peak bloom. Other highlights include the Cherry Blossom Jubilee at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Easter Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House, Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour, Parkway Classic and Del Ray House and Garden Tour.

See a roundup of major spring events below. Visit Alexandria has more spring events at www.visitalexandriava.com/spring.

March

March150 Art Party: March 14, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street

Admission: $30 for general admission; $50 for VIP Early Access; $200 for VIP Art Package

Target Gallery’s exhibition and art sale, March150, returns to Torpedo Factory Art Center for the 10th year to benefit future exhibitions and programs at Target Gallery and the Torpedo Factory Art Center. The all-media exhibition features more than 200 works created and donated by artists local to Alexandria and the greater DC region. All work in the show is priced at $150. The Best in Show among other prizes will also be announced that evening for participating artists. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine supplied by Alexandria favorites; a special March150 themed photobooth; live and interactive art making; a raffle to win prizes from local creative spaces and a glow-in-the-dark themed dance party in the last hour.

Art on the Vine: March 20, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street

Admission: $45

The Art League’s acclaimed local sommelier curates an artistic wine-tasting experience inspired by the art in The Art League’s gallery. Enjoy the party and discounts on wine and artwork that night.

Washington’s Monuments Cruise to the Cherry Blossoms: Saturdays and Sundays, beginning March 21

Starts at Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron Street

Admission: starting at $18 one-way; $32 round-trip for adults

This cruise will take you up the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria past the cherry blossoms in DC. Guests can see and hear the history of the monuments, memorial and bridges as they head toward Goergetown. The cruise is 45 minutes one-way and approximately 90 minutes round-trip and is offered Saturdays and Sundays beginning March 21 throughout peak cherry blossom season. Riders can choose to stay in Georgetown and return on a later boat. The Potomac Riverboat Company also has a 25-minute direct water taxi from Old Town to The Wharf.

Women’s History Bike Ride: March 21, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Market Square, 301 King Street

Admission: Free

Celebrate Women's History Month by riding to sites associated with women's suffrage and Alexandrian women who served in government. This family-friendly ride is organized by Alexandria's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Alexandria Celebrates Women and the Alexandria Spokeswomen. Costumes from 1920 are encouraged as are decorations in the colors of the women's suffrage movement: purple, gold and white.

Cherry Blossom Pop-Up History Tour with Discover Alexandria: Two pop-up tours during peak bloom week, to be announced one week in advance

Starts at the Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King Street

Admission: $15 per adult; $8 per child; $12 for military, veterans and students

Discover Alexandria’s 75-minute Cherry Blossom Pop-Up History Tour will occur twice during the week of peak bloom, combining local history with cherry blossom viewing. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing discoveralexandria@gmail.com.

Cherry Blossom Jubilee at the Torpedo Factory Art Center: March 28, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street

Admission: Free

The Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts an Alexandria satellite celebration for the National Cherry Blossom Festival with hands-on activities, performances and inspired works of art to shop and explore from all three floors.

"A Toast to the Ladies": Women's History Month Event: March 29, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street

Admission: $20 (21 or older only)

Raise a toast to the ladies. In honor of Women's History Month, enjoy Martha Washington's favorite morning drink (with a spirit or without) and discover the stories of women across class and race through the lens of the tavern. Ticket includes one drink with additional ones available for purchase. Tickets available online at shop.alexandriava.gov.

April

AIA Northern Virginia Architecture Month: April 1-30

Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

Admission: Prices vary by event

Architecture Month features a month of activities, including tours, lectures, exhibits and family activities planned by local architects. AIA Northern Virginia will offer a wide variety of architecture-themed events throughout April, including the popular walking tour of Old Town Alexandria, an exhibit of award-winning buildings at the Torpedo Factory Art Center and family activities.

Bunny Patrol with the Old Town Boutique District: April 4 and 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

Admission: Free

This April, the Easter Bunny will be sending some of his friends out into the streets of Old Town to give out gift cards to people with shopping bags from any Old Town Boutique District store. Be on the lookout from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 and 11.

Alexandria Tastes of Spring Cherry Blossom Food Crawl: April 5, beginning at 11 a.m.

Starting location provided at time of ticket purchase

Admission: $65 for four tastings; $80 for six tasting tickets; $96 for eight tasting tickets

Eat your way through Old Town on this self-guided food tour with stops at restaurants. Each tasting ticket is valid for a carefully selected tasting at participating restaurants, and vegetarian options are available. You'll receive a passport with a map and descriptions of all participating restaurants.

21st Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House: April 10-12; 3 p.m. on April 10; 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 11; and 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 12

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco Street

Admission: $15 for children ages 1-12; $5 for adults; free for infants under 1 years old; discounted tickets available for Friends of the Lee-Fendall House

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden’s 21st Annual Easter Egg Hunt returns to Alexandria on Easter weekend. Children ages 12 and under will wander through the museum’s garden for hundreds of colorful, toy-filled Easter eggs. Other activities include games, crafts, refreshments and photos with the Easter Bunny. Older children and adults are welcome to enjoy our other activities. This event is known to sell out, so buy your tickets in advance online.

BunnyFest at the Torpedo Factory Art Center: April 11, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street

Admission: Free

Artists throughout the Torpedo Factory Art Center will be making, showing and selling high-eared art. Think outside the Easter basket with rabbit-riffic artwork in sculptures, dishware, etchings, paintings, and prints. Make BunnyFest buttons, create bunny crafts and don bunny ears. BunnyFest is organized by artists Tracie Griffith Tso (Studios 22, 19) and Lisa Schumaier (Studio 16).

87th Annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour: April 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King Street

Admission: $40 in advance; $50 day of; $35 per person for groups of 20 or more

The 87th annual walking tour takes you into the private residences and gardens of the Historic District. Admission includes refreshments at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, a marketplace at The Athenaeum and access to several nearby historic gardens and properties, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens and Green Spring Gardens.

Cherry Blossom Shop & Sip with the Old Town Boutique District: April 18, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Boutiques throughout Old Town Alexandria

Admission: $25

Join the Old Town Boutique District and its restaurant partners for a full day of cherry blossom frenzy with brunch and pink cocktails, shopping the spring collections at all Old Town Boutique District shops and collecting blossom flare and fabulous swag along the way. For tickets, visit oldtownboutiquedistrict.com.

Parkway Classic 10 Miler, 5K and Kid’s Dash: April 26, 8 a.m.; Kid’s Dash begins at 10:30 a.m.

Starting places vary

Admission: $78 for 10-Miler; $48 for 5k; $15 for Kid’s Dash

Over 8,000 runners and spectators are expected at Alexandria's 36th annual hometown race. The Parkway Classic starts at the beautiful Mount Vernon estate and takes runners down the Parkway to Old Town Alexandria. The event features two distances to choose from (10-Miler or 5K) as well as a Kid’s Dash with pre-race family-friendly activities. New this year, the 5K course route starts at Oronoco Bay Park and loops through Old Town Alexandria. Race participants will be treated to a post-race Finish Festival at Oronoco Bay Park with live music, a Port City Brewing Company pop-up beer garden and other activities to celebrate their accomplishment.

Spring Fashion Show with the Old Town Boutique District: April 30, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

ALX Community, 201 N. Union Street, Suite 110

Admission: $20 online; $25 at the door

Join the Old Town Boutique District and its fashion boutiques for the first ever Spring Fashion Show at the new ALX Community. Kick off the evening with tacos and margaritas from Riverside Taco Company and see collections the Old Town Boutique District on the runway. A portion of the proceeds benefit Dress for Success. For tickets, visit oldtownboutiquedistrict.com.

May

Blossom Ball at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum: May 2, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street

Admission: $45 per person

Celebrate spring’s arrival with a Regency-era ball with live music, English country dancing, cash bar and seasonal dessert collation. Regency attire or cocktail attire is welcome. Those not familiar with this style of dancing should complete at least one full class to become accustomed to the figures and language for the ball. Purchase tickets at alexandriava.gov/shop.

37th Annual Washington Modernism Show: May 2 and 3, Saturday preview, 9 to 11 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive

Admission: $12.50 for advance purchase; $15 at the door

This 37th annual show and sale produced by the Art Deco Society of Washington features dozens of exhibitors presenting furniture, barware, jewelry and more from major design movements of the 20th century including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, Art Moderne, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Atomic. The Art Deco Society will offer special discounts to those who also tour Hollin Hills or the Pope-Leighey House. Attendees can also purchase discounted tours of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, including the ninth-floor observation deck offering panoramic views of Alexandria, Washington, and National Harbor.

Spring Pop-Up Market: May 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon Avenue and E Oxford Avenue

Admission: Free

The Spring Pop-Up Market provides the chance to discover unique gifts made by local entrepreneurs and artisans.

Del Ray Chalk Festival: May 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Along Mount Vernon Avenue

Admission: Free

This unique event brings artists and local businesses together to enliven the neighborhood with vibrant colors as local artists create large-scale chalk paintings directly on the sidewalks of Mount Vernon Avenue.

Del Ray Artisans Spring Art Market: May 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Colasanto Park, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue

Admission: Free

Del Ray Artisans Spring Art Market is a one-day event that gives you the chance to purchase original handcrafted artwork from local artists. This market showcases media, including ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper, glass and more. This is an outdoor, family-friendly, rain-or-shine event in Colasanto Park.

Del Ray House and Garden Tour: May 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Throughout Del Ray

Admission: $30 from March 11-31; $35 from April 1 to May 8, 2020; $40 day-of

The Del Ray Citizens Association's the Del Ray House & Garden Tour is a walkable, self-guided tour showcasing the wide variety of homes in Del Ray, plus some outstanding gardens and landscaping. xThe 10 homes on this year’s tour feature a range of styles from historic to newly remodeled, including an original Sears cottage—one of the first homes built in Del Ray, a 1930 Montgomery Ward bungalow and a home that recently completed full scale renovations. One of the standout homes on the tour is a thoughtfully renovated American Foursquare with its own Instagram account that the owner describes as decorated in “quirky Craftsman.” This walkable, self-guided tour showcases the wide variety of homes in Del Ray, plus some outstanding gardens and landscaping. Tickets can be purchased online or person at the Del Ray Farmers Market.

Free Mother’s Day Admission at Select Office of Historic Alexandria sites: May 10, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Friendship Firehouse Museum; 1 to 5 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St., Alexandria, VA 22314; Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314; Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

For a special Mother’s Day treat, three of Alexandria’s premier historic sites welcome moms with free admission.

Mother’s Day Tea: May 10, 2 to 4 p.m.

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street

Admission: $45 for adults; $25 for children ages 6-12; children under 5 are free

Treat your mother, grandmother or special woman in your life to an elegant afternoon tea on the Magnolia Terrace. Enjoy personalized tableside service and food catered by Calling Card Events for an unforgettable day. All participants including children under 5 must be registered. Online registration with the possibility of a refund ends on May 5.

Art on the Rocks: May 15, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street

Admission: $45 for the early-bird price (21 and up only)

Art on the Rocks ticket holders will get to sample all of the delicious pairings and vote for their favorite drink during the event. A panel of experts will crown the winners of the most creative cocktail, appetizer and artwork pairing.