What's Open, Closed For Christmas 2023 In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Christmas Day falls on a Monday in 2023, so there will be various schedule changes over several days.

City of Alexandria government will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, and most will be closed through Tuesday, Dec. 26. Other services have schedule changes on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or surrounding days.

If you're in town on Christmas Eve, the Waterskiing Santa show will return to the waterfront for a 38th year. The volunteer-run show features Santa and other holiday characters braving the cold Potomac River to put on a show. The pre-show will begin at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24, followed by the main show at 1 p.m., viewable around the foot of King Street.

Here are the openings and closures to know for the Christmas holiday around Alexandria:

City of Alexandria government offices: Closed Dec. 25, and most offices are closed on Dec. 26.

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria: Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and adoptions beginning at noon. Closed on Dec. 25. For animal emergencies or wildlife concerns at any time, contact 703-746-4444.

Courts: The Alexandria Circuit Court, Clerk of Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and Court Service Unit will close at noon on Dec. 22. On Dec. 25 and 26, all courts will be closed.

DASH Bus: On Dec. 25, DASH bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule. The Alexandria Transit Company administrative offices will be closed. Normal DASH Bus operations will return on Dec. 26, but Alexandria Transit Company administrative offices will be closed. The free King Street Trolley operates from King Street Metro to City Hall/Market Square with service every 15 minutes, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. For more information, visit dashbus.com.

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: DMV locations will be closed on Dec. 25.

Health department: On Dec. 22, the Alexandria Health Department, Flora Krause Casey Health Center, and the Teen Wellness Center will be open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. On Dec. 25, the Alexandria Health Department, Flora Krause Casey Health Center, and the Teen Wellness Center at Alexandria City High School will be closed.

Historic Alexandria facilities: On Dec. 24, Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site and The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum will be closed. All city museums will be closed on Dec. 25.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the Child Protective Services Hotline at 703-746-5800; the Domestic Violence Hotline at 703-746-4911; the Emergency Mental Health Services or substance use crisis hotline at 703-746-3401; the Adult Protective Services hotline at 703-746-5778 or 988; and the Sexual Assault Hotline at 703-683-7273.

Impound lot: Closed Dec. 23 to 26. Fees will continue to accrue on Saturday and Sunday, but not on holidays.

Libraries: Alexandria library locations will be closed Dec. 24 to 26.

Metro: On Dec. 24, Metrorail will operate on a Sunday schedule from 7 a.m. to midnight. On Dec. 25, Metrorail will operate on a Sunday holiday schedule from 7 a.m. to midnight. Metrobus will run on a Sunday schedule on Dec. 24 and 25. See timetables for more information. The Red Line has no Metrorail service between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place from Dec. 18 to 30. From Dec. 22 to 24, the shutdown is extended between Dupont Circle and Union Station. Free shuttle buses replace trains.

Parking: On Dec. 25 and 26, the Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces and residential permit parking districts. This suspension of enforcement applies only to the restrictions at legal parking spaces and does not permit parking in any normally prohibited location. Temporary no-parking signs will be enforced.

Post offices: Closed on Dec. 25.

Recreation, nature, and art centers: On Dec. 24 and 25, all recreation, nature and art centers will be closed. On Dec. 26, Charles Houston Recreation Center, Patrick Henry Recreation Center, and Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Center will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All other facilities will be closed. Visit alexandriava.gov/RecreationCenters for more information. The Torpedo Factory Art Center will be closed on Dec. 25.

Trash and recycling: Residential trash, recycling, yard waste, and curbside food waste will be delayed by one day during the week of Dec. 24. The Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Center will be open on Saturday, Dec. 23, and closed Monday, Dec. 25.