Santa Claus Is Coming To Alexandria: Where To See Him

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Visits and pictures with Santa Claus are treasured traditions for many Alexandria families. In Alexandria, kids have several chances to see jolly old St. Nick in person.

Here are the details:

Breakfast with Santa

Alexandria Restaurant Partners' Joe Theismann's Restaurant, Mia's Italian Kitchen, and Ada's on the River will host Breakfast with Santa. The events will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. from Dec. 7 to Dec. 22. Tickets come with a family-style breakfast featuring a breakfast pastry and bagel basket, smoked salmon, pancakes and more. Children will receive treats to take home, and adults can get bottomless mimosas, bellinis or prosecco for an additional $15. During the event, Santa will make a grand entrance and will take photos. Tickets are priced up to $57 and are free for children 2 and under.

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

Santa is often part of the 100 plus parade units in the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, which celebrates Alexandria's 1749 founding by Scottish merchants. This year's parade is set for 11 a.m. on Dec. 7 in Old Town Alexandria. Among the parade units are Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans, pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds and community groups. This year’s grand marshal is Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, who is finishing up his term as mayor and did not seek re-election. NBC4 Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey will be master of ceremonies along with Heather Haddock, president of the Scottish American Women’s Society of Washington, D.C. Stick around for another parade — Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. on the waterfront.

Del Ray Holiday Kick-Off

Del Ray will hold its holiday kickoff with a Christmas tree lighting, Menorah lighting and visit with Santa. This year's event will be held Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Oxford Avenues. Mount Vernon Avenue will be lit with thousands of luminarias in honor of the late Nancy Dunning. Attendees are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Alexandria Sheriff Department’s Operation Elf; and travel-size toiletries and non-perishable foods (including breakfast bars, oatmeal, cereal, ground coffee, Coffeemate creamer, hot sauce, salad dressing, individual bagged chips, and healthy snacks) for Carpenter’s Shelter.

Whistle Stop Hobbies Santa Train

This annual favorite brings Santa and Mrs. Claus aboard the Santa Railway Express Train to give children holiday treats. They will be held Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 19, but all events beyond Dec. 2 are sold out.

During Santa Train, the trains leave from King Street Station in Alexandria at 1:30 p.m. and travel round trip from Old Town Manassas. Trains return at 4:30 p.m. following a one and a half hour stop with hot chocolate, cookies, and water plus story time with Hooray for Books and Q&A with Santa.

Waterskiing Santa

What started as a bet between friends turned into an annual tradition in its 39th year. Waterskiing Santa will happen at 1 p.m. on Dec. 24 along the waterfront at the foot of Cameron Street. Santa and his pals will delight spectators as they put on a show in the frigid Potomac River waters. There is typically a pre-show 15 minutes before the 1 p.m. main show

Santa is also holding court at several shopping malls in the local area, including:

Springfield Town Center

Photos with Santa: Nov. 9 to Dec. 24

Pet Photos with Santa: Mondays through Dec. 16

Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

Photos with Santa: Through Dec. 24

Pet Photos with Santa: Dec. 8

Caring Santa: Dec. 8