Taste Of Del Ray, Fireworks, Best of the West: Alexandria Summer Events

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The summer season means plenty of events to enjoy outside in the sunshine in Alexandria.

Summer officially begins on Wednesday, June 21, but there will be notable events to start June such as the returning Taste of Del Ray and Portside in Old Town Summer Festival.

July will bring Fourth of July festivities with the Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration as well as the Old Town Pub Crawl. August brings the new Best of the West with restaurant tastings and Around the World Cultural Food Festival.

South of the city, George Washington's Mount Vernon will host events such as Summerfest and Independence Fireworks.

Below is a roundup of events around Alexandria for summer 2023. More information on things to do during the summer is available from Visit Alexandria at VisitAlexandria.com/Summer.

Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson Temporary Waterfront Public Art Installation: Late March to November 2023

Location: Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

In late March, Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson opened as the fifth temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park as part of the Site See: New Views in Old Town series. Created by Jamaican-born, New York-based award-winning artist Nina Cooke John of Studio Cooke John, the installation is inspired by the ships uncovered on Alexandria’s waterfront in 2015 and 2018 and the many layers of history not readily seen. The installation forms an abstracted ship’s hull with steel vertical elements that rise and bend, referencing the curve of the hull’s frame. Visitors can stand within the space and imagine a time in Alexandria’s history when the ships carried not only cargo like tobacco, molasses, rum and limes, but also enslaved people traded in the transatlantic and domestic slave trades. The outer blue of the installation is contrasted with an orange inner surface depicting text pulled from ships’ manifests listing items like herring, coconuts and gin, alongside names and descriptions of enslaved people, such as “Jane Tailor, female, 5’ 2”.” Also listed are “two boxes of oranges” and “Admonia Jackson.”

Art Night in Old Town: May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

On the third Thursday of each month, discover an art gallery or cultural arts organization offering an evening of fine art and studio crafts. Attendees are encouraged to stay for an evening of art and dinner at a nearby restaurants For more information on participating art galleries and restaurants, visit oldtownbusiness.org.

George Washington Whiskey Tasting: Saturdays in May, June and September, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill, 5513 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309

Admission: $60 for non-members, $50 for members

Sample three distilled spirits made with 18th-century distilling methods on Washington's Distillery & Gristmill property. Guests will learn about the history of George Washington's whiskey and how the team distills spirits today plus tour the property.

First Thursdays in Del Ray: June 1, July 6, Aug. 3 and Sept. 7, 6 p.m. to dusk

Admission: Free

Del Ray along Mount Vernon Avenue

Held the first Thursday from April to August along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, First Thursday is a series of free outdoor street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting a local nonprofit. This summer’s themes include "First Thursday: Baseball – Every Pitch Counts" in June, "Red, White, & Brew" in July, "Del Ray’s Country Music Showdown" in August, and "Star Wars Day in a Neighborhood Far, Far Away" in September.

Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair: June 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

Volunteer Alexandria presents the Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair at Waterfront Park. The fair features local and regional artists and crafters who showcase their pieces across various mediums, including pottery, stationery, fabrics, paintings, jewelry, photography and more.

Taste of Del Ray: June 4, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission: $25 per adult and $10 for children under 12; $60 for VIP tickets

Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields, 2701 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305

Taste of Del Ray showcases the variety of cuisines at restaurants in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. Ticket holders will enjoy tastes from top Del Ray restaurants and can cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. The outdoor event will take place at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields. A limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for $60, offering foodies a noon entry into the festival and a wine tasting. Get your tickets early, because the event sells out. Only 500 general admission and 100 VIP tickets will be sold.

Mount Vernon Summerfest: June 9 and 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

Admission: $40 for Mount Vernon members, $48 for public

Enjoy Mount Vernon after regular hours while tasting craft beers from across the region. A ticket includes a commemorative tasting cup and eight tasting tickets. Additional tastings are available to purchase on site for $2 each. Half Crown Bakehouse will sell fresh bread, and concessions will be sold by the Mount Vernon Inn Food Truck.

Portside in Old Town Summer Festival sponsored by Ting: June 16 and 17, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday

Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

Kick off summer with the return of the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival sponsored by Ting. This free festival features an array of live music, local craft beer from Port City Brewing Company and fun for the whole family on the Alexandria waterfront. The event features Friday evening jazz performances and readings by Alexandria poets as part of the ALX Jazz Fest presented by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts. Saturday, the festival continues with an eclectic musical lineup, local food, hands-on art and history activities and more. The Portside in Old Town Summer Festival sponsored by Ting is hosted by Visit Alexandria in partnership with the City of Alexandria's Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

Juneteenth African American History Bus Tour with Manumission Tour Company: June 17, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Meets at The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: $35 per person

Join Councilmember John Taylor Chapman's Manumission Tour Company for the annual Juneteenth African American History Bus Tour. Ride along on a 90-minute bus tour to visit various historic sites that will tell the story of African Americans in early Alexandria. Some of the sites discussed on the tour include several historic African American churches in the city, including Alfred Street Baptist Church, Barrett Library, site of the 1939 Library Sit-In, Freedom House and many more.

Independence Fireworks at Mount Vernon: June 30 and July 1, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

Admission: Price varies for members and non-members with or without tour

Watch fireworks synchronized to patriotic music at 9:15 p.m. while the Mansion is lit in red, white, and blue. Attendees can also enjoy musical performances by The Fifes & Drums of York Town and National Concert Band, concessions for purchase on the East Lawn, a visit from General Washington in the Historic Area from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Mansion tours, wreath layings at the Washington Tomb, ice cream making demonstrations, 18th century dancing, exhibits and shopping.

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

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

Admission: Included with admission

Meet General Washington while enjoying daytime fireworks, a National Concert Band performance and 18th century magic in the upper garden with Mr. Peter Gardiner. There will also be a naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens coming from around the world.

USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration: July 8, 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. (Rain date: July 9)

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

The City of Alexandria celebrates its 274th birthday and the USA’s 247th birthday on Saturday, July 8, with a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and a grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the big birthday experience including cupcakes, local vendors and live music. In the case of inclement weather, fireworks will be rescheduled for July 9.

10th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl hosted by Port City Brewing Company July 15, 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Various locations throughout Old Town, Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

The Port City Brewing Company team will be at local restaurants and bars near the Alexandria waterfront, stamping pub crawl passes (available at participating locations) and handing out swag from 1:30 to 6 p.m. If you complete your Pub Crawl Pass, you will get a limited-edition pint glass. Participating restaurants include Blackwall Hitch, Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar, Chadwicks, Daniel O'Connell's, The Fish Market, Union Street Public House, Virtue Feed and Grain and Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge.

Beats, Bites and Brews in Old Town Alexandria: July 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

Head to John Carlyle Square for a full day of outdoor entertainment, featuring food, music, cold beverages, shopping and more. Local bands, food vendors, wineries and breweries, as well as other local small businesses will be on site. Tasting will be provided by the wineries and breweries, and you can purchase the tickets onsite from them directly. Admission is free, and the event is rain or shine. Pets are welcome.

Best of the West by West End Business Association: Aug. 5, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304

Admission: Free (pre-registration recommended)

The West End Business Association will host the new Best of the West event celebrating the neighborhood's restaurants and consumer-facing businesses. Hosted at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, the event will feature tastings from local restaurants, vendor booths, free entertainment and some friendly competition to be named "Best of the West." Pre-registration is recommended for earlier and guaranteed entry.

Del Ray Bands and Brews Summer Bar Crawl: Aug. 19, 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Various locations along Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301

Admission: $15 Advance Tickets; $25 Day of Event Tickets

Join the Del Ray community for a special summer event featuring live music in outdoor restaurant venues along the Avenue. The first 250 registrants will get a swag bag with a 16oz souvenir collector’s cup! Tickets include specials on cocktails, beer and food at each of the 15+ participating restaurants, live music at every venue, trolley transportation, 50/50 raffles, a photo booth and many more fun giveaways. You must be 21 or older to participate in the crawl, but children and families are welcome at family-friendly establishments and at the main stage at Pat Miller Square. This event is being brought to you by the Del Ray Business Association and will benefit the non-profit Friends of Duncan Library.

Around the World Cultural Food Festival: Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free

The Around the World Cultural Food Festival takes attendees on a day trip around the world and showcases the cuisine, culture and traditions of dozens of countries. The pet-friendly event will occur rain or shine across the expansive Oronoco Bay Park.