Alexandria's Fall Events: Art On The Avenue, Historic Homes Tour, Halloween Parade

ALEXANDRIA, VA — While the first day of fall isn't until Sept. 23, Alexandrians will get into the spirit with a lineup of seasonal events.

The fall season in Alexandria promises returning events like the 82nd Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour, 29th Annual Art on the Avenue and 28th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade.

Another returning favorite is free trick-or-treat. While the official trick-or-treat usually happens the evening of Oct. 31, there will also be an Old Town Family Trick or Treat and Old Town Doggie Trick or Treat.

South of Alexandria, George Washington's Mount Vernon will host events like the Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour, George Washington Patriot Run, the Colonial Market and Fair, Fall Harvest Festival and more.

Below are the top events happening during the upcoming fall season in Alexandria. You can see more events and things to do at VisitAlexandria.com/Fall.

Fall Plant and Garden Sale: Sept. 7, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Overflow Parking Lot, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Shop for seasonal color and heirloom plants along with native perennials, trees and shrubs grown at Mount Vernon.

George Washington Patriot Run: Sept. 8

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

Cross the finish line with George Washington's mansion in view. The 5K race is sold out and registration has been closed. Registration is still available for Mount Vernon's 10-mile race; participants receive a t-shirt and finisher medal.

Alexandria Festival: Enkutatash: Sept. 10, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22304

Celebrate the Ethiopian and Eritrean New Year with crafts, activities, refreshments and performances from Munit and Z Lovebugs.

22nd Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival: Sept. 14-15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314

This annual art festival wated one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine, the annual art festival features a variety of works from artists around the U.S.

Fall Makers Market, Sept. 14, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304

Enjoy 30 vendors, food, craft beer, music, prizes hosted by Made in ALX at Port City Brewing. The train date is Sept. 22.

Colonial Market and Fair: Sept. 14-15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Enjoy food and wares made by colonial artisans, hear live music from the colonial era, play 18th-century games on the bowling green and watch artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques. Colonial Market & Fair is included with Mount Vernon admission.

Taste of Old Town North: Sept. 19, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Montgomery Park, 901 N. Royal St

The Taste of Old Town North is a free, family-and pet-friendly event featuring an artisans’ market, gourmet restaurant tastings, children’s improv with Alexandria Children’s Theater and other activities for all to enjoy, including music from two local bands. Participating Old Town North restaurants include Jula’s on the Potomac, the Perfect Pita, Hank’s Oyster Bar, MacMillan Spirit House, Hotel AKA Alexandria’s a.lounge+bar, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub and Royal Restaurant.

82nd Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour: Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314

The 82nd Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour will be held on September 21, 2024, and will showcase some of Alexandra’s finest homes. This year’s event will include a bonus tour of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Presented by The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of INOVA Alexandria Hospital, the Historic Alexandria Homes Tour is a ticketed tour with proceeds benefiting INOVA Alexandria Hospital. Admission is $45 per person. Their designated Tour Book serves as a guide to the homes and will be accessible to ticket holders via mobile device. Hard copies of the Tour Book are available for purchase in advance for $5 each.

Wunderfest Celebration: Sept. 21, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304

This annual festival celebrates all things German, especially the beers. Guests will enjoy a day of live music, yard games, food trucks, and competitions with prizes up for grabs. New this year are limited edition ceramic steins for purchase. With the purchase of a Wunderfest stein, guests will receive their first beer for $1. The stein hoist is at 3:15 p.m., and the Oktoberfest costume contest is at 6 p.m.

Old Town Cocktail Week: Sept. 26 to Oct. 6

Locations throughout Old Town; Art on the Rocks kick-off event location: Hotel Heron, 699 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Old Town Cocktail Week will feature spirited events, workshops and activities at shops and restaurants around Old Town. The festivities kick off at Art on the Rocks at the Heron Hotel on September 26 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Guests can sample up to ten unique cocktail and appetizer pairings and vote for their favorite pairing while enjoying imaginative artwork, live music and more. Admission prices will vary, but tickets to Art on the Rocks are $70 per person. Tickets to Art on the Rocks are available via Eventbrite.

Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square: Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

300 John Carlyle St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Head to John Carlyle Square for a festive Oktoberfest celebration with traditional music, lively entertainment, a beer garden, arts and crafts market, Bavarian performances and food vendors.

Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour: Oct. 4 to 6, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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

Taste unlimited samples from Virginia wineries after hours at George Washington’s estate. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River, and enjoy concessions available for purchase from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. Please note that the Mansion will not be open during this event. Admission on Friday is $50 for members and $60 for the general public; Saturday admission is$54 for members and $64 for general public; and Sunday admission is $44 for members and $54 for general public.

29th Annual Art on the Avenue: Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mount Vernon Ave. between Hume Ave. and Bellefonte Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301

The 29th Annual Art on the Avenue festival held in Del Ray features more than 300 juried artists, from quilters to card-makers to cartographers, displaying their one-of-a-kind wares. Arrive with an appetite and grab a bite from dozens of food vendors while soaking up live music (Irish, folk, rock-n-roll, country and more) along the avenue. Kids can enjoy activities abound with pumpkin painting, screen art weaving and more. Parking is extremely limited, and trolley transportation will be available from the Braddock Road Metro.

Paws in the Park: Oct. 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria at Alexandria’s biggest fall festival for animal lovers is Paws in the Park presented by Amazon. Guests will enjoy shopping and vendors, live music and entertainment, food and drink, kids’ activities, adoptable animals, silent auction, Family Fun Tent, and dog and human costume contest for prizes. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend.

Mount Vernon's Fall Harvest Festival: Oct. 19-20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

Celebrate the autumn season with 18th-century activities and demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Activities include wheat treading demonstrations in Washington's 16-sided threshing barn, 18th century laundry demonstrations, 18th-century cooking, candle-making, spinning and textiles demonstrations, horseshoeing demonstration at the Farrier, straw bale maze, freshly-baked bread from Half Crown Bakehouse from a reproduction 18th-century clay oven, and shopping for farm-fresh products from Tasha's Own. Tickets are included with Mount Vernon admission.

Old Town Family Trick or Treat: Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Various locations in Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314

Bring the family and enjoy trick-or-treating in various shops and restaurants in Old Town along upper and lower King Street and select side streets. Visit oldtownbusiness.org in the coming weeks for details on the starting point and map pick-up location.

Official Alexandria Halloween Bar Crawl: Oct. 26, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.

The Light Horse, 715 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Grab your costume and head to this Halloween bar crawl with drink specials and spooky cocktails. At least eight bars are participating.

Old Town Doggie Trick or Treat: Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Dog Park, 705 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Bring your dog for a howling day of walking through Old Town and visiting participating merchants who will offer treats for your four-legged companion. Start at The Dog Park boutique, located at 705 King Street. Visit oldtownbusiness.org in the coming weeks for more details.

28th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade: Oct. 27, 2 p.m.

Begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte Ave. Alexandria, VA 22301

One of Del Ray’s favorite traditions, the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, returns once again. Costumed children, pets and babies in decked-out strollers are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb. For more information, including details on entering the house decorating contest, pet costume contest and stroller decorating contest, head to visitdelray.com.

Alexandria Fall-O-Ween: Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

300 John Carlyle St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Enjoy a spooky weekend at Alexandria’s Fall-O-Ween Fest featuring a costume parade, holiday arts & crafts, pets costume parade, desserts & treats and more.

Alexandria Cider Festival: Nov, 23, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Celebrate Virginia Cider Week with a special tasting event on the grounds of the historic Lloyd House in Old Town Alexandria. Event tickets include cider tastings, live music, a tasting glass and a little history, too. This event will take place outdoors. Proceeds benefit the historic Alexandria museums. Admission is $50 for the presale through Oct. 31, $55 from Nov. 1 to 22 and $65 at the door. A designated driver admission is $25.