Located just minutes from Washington, D.C. and recently named one of the top 5 small cities in the US by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, Alexandria, Virginia is a true source of magical gorgeousness during the holiday season.

PRO TIP: To manage to see everything (or at least some of it), book the nearest taxi Alexandria, VA to take you around. Alexandria residents choose Alexandria Yellow Cab as their first taxi service repeatedly due to the quality of service, flexibility, great cars, and pretty affordable prices. With Alexandria Yellow Cab you can choose anything from a City Tour and Long Trips to Point to Point transportation, Airport taxi, and so much more. Why choose a cab over a limo during the holidays? It’s more comfortable to book, more convenient, and on location within minutes. Simple!

Packed with authentic holiday traditions, Alexandria is definitely worth visiting during the holiday season, and if you decide to go there – these are the reasons why…

Waterskiing Santa

Old Town Alexandria has got something spectacular going on for its residents and out of towners, 33rd year in a row – Waterskiing Santa and his merry crew! Wait, what? If you want to witness the spectacle, gather along historic Alexandria’s Potomac River on December 24, 2018, at 1 PM, and you’ll see what the event is all about!

Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.) is the prime viewing area with announcements and music; then there are Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron St.), Founders Park (351 N. Union St.), and Point Lumley Park (1 Duke St.). You’ll absolutely love everything about it, especially if you come a little early and get to catch the pre-show on jet skis. You’ll get to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Alexandria City Marina after the show, along with their jolly crew, and there can’t be anything more interesting than that!

Holiday Magic on Historic King Street

Find yourself in a winter wonderland by taking a stroll along King Street in Old Town! Please, don’t restrain yourself from gushing over beautifully decorated brick-lined sidewalks, twinkling Christmas lights gracing windows and doors of dozens of independent boutiques, and fabulous restaurants tucked into 18th-century buildings that don’t look like anything you’ve seen before. Walk these streets, and you’ll be humming holiday jingles for days!

Photos with Santa in Old Town Alexandria

Get the opportunity to snap a photo with the world’s most beloved couple – Mr. and Mrs. Claus in Old Town Alexandria, and even contribute to a great cause by doing so! Namely, the attraction is partnered with Hooray for Books!, the independently-owned bookstore that uses your donations from registration to provide toys, games and books for the Alexandria Domestic Violence Program’s Holiday Party. How wonderful, don’t you think?

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Even though you’re now late for this one, it’s still good to pen it down for the next time you are in town – in the evening of December 1st, 2018 the Potomac River shines dressed in dozens of brightly lit boats to start the Boat Parade of Lights in Alexandria. The parade is not only fairytale-like gorgeousness epitomized but a chance to try some of the most delicious beers from the local brewing companies, yummy grill dishes, delicious local hot chocolate, and even get fantastic giveaways from Lyft! You can also participate in DIY holiday wood ornament craft activities and Letters to Santa postcard pop-up game. There’s honestly something for everyone!

Live Performances

The cutest holiday tradition in Alexandria could just be its live performances, such as:

• November 20 through December 23, 2018: “Christmas at the Old Bull & Bush” at MetroStage
• November 30 through December 16, 2018: “A Christmas Carol” at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Although Alexandria Singers’ annual pops concert has already finished (it took place on December 7 and 8, 2018), it’s an occasion worth mentioning, for sure. It’s a mix of traditional holiday classics, jazz arrangements, and pop, combined with new tunes.

Another spectacular miss (doesn’t matter, you’ll see it next year!) is the Alexandria After-Work Concert Series taking place at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. It’s a free live performance on December 14, 2018, that mixes a combination of illustrated lectures on Christmas traditions and their reflections in songs.

A local favorite is the Colonial Handbell Ringers Concert, taking place at The Lyceum on December 16, 2018; everyone loves it because the performers clad in colonial attire and everything is just… marvellous!

If you already haven’t seen these, don’t let yourself miss them in 2019 – Alexandria is everything during the holiday season!

Historic Holidays

Alexandria is known for its historical holiday events for the entire family, and it’s something you don’t want to miss. Here’s a lineup of events you and your kids should put on your holiday must-see-and-do-list:

• November 17, 2018: Friendship Firehouse Museum’s Kids’ Krafts Day: The kids get to see ornament projects and hands-on crafts inspired by early firefighting history
• December 1, 2018: Alexandria Black History Museum hosts Story Time for Little Historians where families can enjoy creative craft activities and cultural stories
• December 1, 2018: Alexandria Archaeology Museum invites the youngest to get hands-on with history and design and deliver special gifts at the Ship Biscuit Ornament Making workshop. A chance to revisit the event comes during the First Night on December 31, 2018
• December 8, 2018: Alexandria Black History Museum becomes home How to Celebrate Kwanzaa Workshop, inviting everyone to come and learn a little about the history of the holiday, games, crafts, recipes and holiday decorating
• December 15, 2018: Visitors can enjoy a Victorian Christmas touring the beautifully decorated Lee-Fendall House for the holidays, with seasonal treats, photographs with Santa, an antique toy exhibit, crafts, story time, and so much more

New Year’s Eve at First Night

The largest family-friendly New Year’s Eve party in the region takes place in Old Town at the 23rd annual First Night Alexandria. You’ll get to enjoy a spectacular fireworks performance at midnight, promise!

Why is New Year’s Eve at First Night great? Because all of Alexandria’s stores, coffee shops, museums and hotels turn into performance venues for 150 performances that transform into unique and unforgettable spectacles you can’t help but gush over! Balloons, face painting, carnival-style games, special hosts in costumes, and so much other fun awaits at every corner. And then, just when you think the party’s over, you realize it’s only just starting: the King Street near the waterfront becomes the dance podium at 10 PM only to have it culminate with spectacular First Night fireworks at midnight. Events like these in Alexandria are everything you need on this day!

Guys, this is just the top of an iceberg! If you are checking this blog out sometime after December 20, 2018, you’ll get disappointed to learn that most of these spectacular holiday events have ended. However, Alexandria is pretty much the hot spot of holiday spirit, so don’t be lazy to browse what else is there to see in Alexandria during holidays. If you want to see a few things on the same day, opt for Alexandria Yellow Cab as your transportation of choice. Give us a call at +1 703-549-2500 or contact us through the Contact sheet. Our company makes sure there are always vehicles available during holidays, so you won’t have to wait hours before you book a taxi or risk not getting one in the street, at all! The locals drive with us every day, and on holidays as well which only proves you can trust us.