Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Dozens of illuminated boats cruise along a one-mile stretch of the Potomac River shoreline. Dockside festivities in Waterfront Park feature family-friendly activities, music, food, and a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company. Spectators can also view the procession directly from the water aboard a river cruise.
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 All ages
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Plan Your Visit
Neighborhood
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Food & Drink
Dockside festivities include food and a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company.
Parking
It encourages public transportation and alternative transportation. It also says the parade is accessible via Metrorail from King Street station.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Take Metrorail's blue or yellow line to King Street station, since public transportation is highly encouraged and waterfront garages fill up before the parade.
- If you have to drive, check the city's garage map ahead of time, because the closest garages fill up early and nearby streets are often closed.
- Ride the free DASH bus or a Capital Bikeshare bike into Old Town to avoid driving into the heavy traffic near the waterfront on parade day.
- Book a CityCruises by Hornblower trip if you'd rather watch the lit boats from the Potomac River than from the shoreline.
- Spend time at the dockside festivities in Waterfront Park, which have a Port City Brewing Company pop-up beer garden, food, music and family activities.
Special Events & Promotions
- Watch the parade from the Potomac River aboard CityCruises by Hornblower
Links & Contact
Run by Visit Alexandria
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do onshore?
Waterfront Park has dockside festivities with a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, local food, music and family-friendly activities.
What's the best way to get there?
Public transportation is highly encouraged. Take Metrorail's blue or yellow line to King Street station. The DASH bus is free, and Old Town has Capital Bikeshare docks and dockless e-scooters and e-bikes.
Where should I park if I drive?
The garages closest to the waterfront fill up before the event, and nearby streets are often closed because of heavy traffic. The City of Alexandria's parking page has a map of garages.
Can I watch the parade from the water?
Yes. CityCruises by Hornblower offers trips to watch the parade from the Potomac River.
Can I ride a scooter to the waterfront?
You can ride to Old Town, but riding is not allowed on sidewalks or in the King Street pedestrian zone from the 200 block of King Street to the waterfront. Park in a scooter corral or bike rack when you can.
Browse Christmas in Alexandria
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.