Everyone knows that there will be a massive celebration across the river in Washington, D.C. for our country’s 250th anniversary. But did you know Alexandria is hosting its own incredible lineup of events right in our own backyard?
As a city that helped construct the foundation of the revolution—from the creation of the Fairfax Resolves to being the hometown of George Washington—Alexandria is going all out to commemorate America’s Story. From majestic tall ships docking at our waterfront to spectacular fireworks displays, you do not have to cross the bridge to experience a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
Here is what you need to know about Alexandria’s America250 events this summer.
Sails on the Potomac & ALX Jazz Fest (June 12–14) The crown jewel of Alexandria’s 250th commemoration is Sails on the Potomac. For this immersive three-day weekend, Alexandria is welcoming a fleet of iconic tall ships to the waterfront.
- Tour the Tall Ships: You can get up close and personal with historic visiting vessels including the Gazela, Kalmar Nyckel, and Sultana, alongside Alexandria’s own resident tall ship, Providence.
- ALX Jazz Fest: Running concurrently all weekend is the 48th Annual ALX Jazz Fest. Kicking off with an opening ceremony on Friday, June 12, the festival has expanded to a full three days for 2026 to celebrate Alexandria’s musical past, present, and future.
- Saturday Night Fireworks: Do not miss the spectacular fireworks display over the Potomac River on Saturday, June 13 at 9:00 p.m. to cap off the weekend’s festivities!
- Local Tip: The city expects heavier traffic than usual for this event, so consider taking car-free transportation to the waterfront like the free DASH bus, Metrorail, the Water Taxi, or Capital Bikeshare!
Check out Inside Alexandria on our blog for more ways to enjoy living in Alexandria.
More Ways to Celebrate in June
- Historic Happy Hours at The Wharf (June 11, 5 p.m.): Get an early start on the weekend and learn about the research taking place in Historic Alexandria. 10% of all checks will benefit America250 events!
- Alexandria’s Sister Cities’ Concert (June 18, 7 p.m.): Enjoy “Music of the American Revolution” as renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand don period attire to perform and discuss historic music.
Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration (July 11) If you want to keep the patriotic momentum going after the Fourth of July, you are in luck. On Saturday, July 11 at 6 p.m., Alexandria is celebrating its own 277th birthday alongside America’s 250th. Head down to Oronoco Bay Park for a fantastic evening filled with live music, local food and drink vendors, and a grand finale fireworks display over the river.
Immersive Historic Tours & Programming Beyond the big waterfront festivals, Alexandria’s historic sites are offering unique programming throughout the summer:
- Gadsby’s Tavern Museum: Join them on select Friday evenings (June 26, July 10, and July 17 at 5 p.m.) for “Conversational Tours: America250—Who We Remember,” or grab a drink at their Tavern Games Night featuring pub trivia on July 3.
- 1776 Singalong & Discussion (July 25, 7 p.m.): In partnership with Emerging Revolutionary War, Gadsby’s Tavern is hosting a fun singalong and panel discussion of the groundbreaking 1972 movie 1776.
- Mount Vernon: George Washington’s estate is hosting a massive lineup, including a Revolutionary War Encampment, an immersive 4D theater experience, and their own spectacular Independence Fireworks on July 3 and 4.
Plant for America250 Want to show your patriotic spirit at home? The City of Alexandria and the Beautification Commission are encouraging residents and businesses to plant red, white, and blue native plants—just like the “patriotic gardens” planted back in 1976. Take the pledge online, and you can adorn your garden with an official America250 garden flag!
Let’s Celebrate Together. Whether you are a lifelong Alexandria resident or you are looking to relocate to a city rich in history and community spirit, there has never been a better time to be in the DMV.
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