Head to Alexandria for Scottish Christmas Walk & Boat Parade of Lights

Alexandria's annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is coming up Saturday, Dec. 7, when dozens of boats will float down the Potomac River, brightly lit and decked out for the holidays.

Of course, the Boat Parade is just the capstone to weekend of events in Old Town Alexandria.

The 43rd annual Scottish Christmas Walk starts the day at 11 a.m., with bagpipers, pipe-and-drum bands, Scottish clans and dancers, Scottie dog groups and more march from Wilkes and S. Saint Asaph streets, ending up at Market Square with a massed band concert.

You can also tour houses lavishing decorated for the holidays during the Campagna Center's Holiday Designer Tour of Homes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tickets are $35.)

Free festivities at the marina begin at 3 p.m. as Santa arrives by fireboat before stopping to snap free pictures with kids and dogs. Holiday tunes will come from the Braddock Brass Band.

The boat parade will kick off at 5 p.m. at the Alexandria Marina, behind the Torpedo Factory (105 N Union St, Alexandria, Va.)

Say planners: "The boats are dressed to impress a panel of judges who will award prizes in a dozen categories including 'Best in Show,' 'Thinking Outside the Christmas Box' and 'Hardiest Souls.'

Contact Us