Coming Up for Summer: Community Engagement and Calendar Reminders

July and August 2026

Learn about calendar reminders and upcoming summer community events for July and August. Find out when the ACPS Community Outreach team will be in your neighborhood!

ACPS Academic Calendar Reminders

Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School First Day of School

Mon., July 27, 2026

Samuel Tucker Elementary School (435 Ferdinand Day Drive)

Welcome back to school! Stay informed about all the important dates for the 2025-26 school year by referring to the Modified Calendar for Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School.

ACPS First Day of School: All ACPS Schools Except Samuel W. Tucker

Mon., Aug. 24, 2026 

Welcome back to school! Stay informed about all the important dates for the 2026-27 school year by referring to the ACPS Traditional Calendar.

Labor Day Weekend

Fri., Sept. 4, 2026 - Mon., Sept. 7, 2026

There is no school for students. ACPS offices will also be closed on Mon., Sept. 7, 2026 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Yom Kippur 

Mon., Sept. 21, 2026

All ACPS schools will be closed in observance of the Yom Kippur holiday.

Community Engagement Events

Alexandria Library 

The Alexandria Library hosts exciting events and activities for all ages! From storytime for kids to book clubs, workshops and community gatherings, there is always something happening at your local branch. Additionally, individuals looking to improve their English speaking skills can join our weekly Beginner and Intermediate English Conversation groups, held at various library locations, with no registration required. Check out the events calendar to find something that interests you!

Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA)

Looking for fun and engaging activities around the city? RPCA in Alexandria offers a variety of programs and events for all ages, including sports, fitness classes, family-friendly festivals and much more. Visit their upcoming events calendar to explore what is happening near you!

ACPS 2026-27 School Year Kindergarten Registration Is Open

Kindergarten registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open. We encourage everyone to register their kindergarten students early in the process to assist schools to prepare for staffing kindergarten classrooms.

Families can use the registration webpage to check that their child meets the age requirements and to learn about the required documents for enrollment in the upcoming school year. The attendance zone locator tool helps families find their school zone.

Student Registration Support

Every Mon., through July 30, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ACPS Family and Community Engagement Center 

1701 N. Beauregard St., (Door 12), Sixth Floor

 

Tue., Wed. and Thu., 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ACPS Central Office 

1340 Braddock Pl., First Floor, EL Welcome Center

 

Need help? Stop by or call 571-481-8654 for more information.

ALIVE! Food Hub Hours 

ALIVE! Food Hubs offer free food, personal items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, and referrals to other services for the City of Alexandria residents once a month. Proof of residency may be requested to access certain resources. Food Hubs are closed Sundays, Mondays, Fridays and all federal holidays. During inclement weather, ALIVE! follows City of Alexandria weather policies.

Food Hub at 510 - F South Van Dorn St. 

Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Closed 2-2:30 p.m.) 

Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Food Hub at 2601 Mount Vernon Ave.

Tue.-Thu. noon - 6 p.m. (Closed 2-2:30 p.m.) 

Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

ALIVE! is a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency and basic needs support to children, families and individuals living in poverty and with hunger in the City of Alexandria. ALIVE! will distribute bags of food to Alexandria City residents. No identification (ID) is required for the Pop- Up Food Distributions. Make sure to check out the ALIVE website for more information about the ALIVE Summer Pop-Up locations. .

Alexandria City Community Cookouts Continue! 

Various dates and locations (see below)

The Alexandria Police Department will host various community cookouts, which started in May and will conclude in June. Join the community Cookouts for a great time for neighbors and families to come together and connect with community resources. These cookouts are sponsored by a number of nonprofits and city agencies.

The final scheduled cookout in July will be held from 6-7:30 p.m.

• Wed., July 8, 2026, at Ruby Tucker Family Center (322 Tancil Ct.) 

Community Family Picnic 

Fri., July 10, 2026,  6:30-7:30 p.m.

Leonard Chick Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.)

Join friends, family and neighbors for a fun-filled evening at the Community Family Picnic! Enjoy activities, entertainment and opportunities to connect with fellow Alexandrians while creating new friendships and lasting memories in the park. Learn more about programs and events offered by the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) on its website. 

Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration  

Sat., July 11, 2026,  6-9:45 p.m.

Oronoco Bay (100 Madison St.)

Celebrate the City of Alexandria’s birthday and America’s 250th anniversary with an evening of community fun! Enjoy live music, local vendors, sweet treats, family-friendly activities and a spectacular fireworks finale. Admission is free and open to all. 

Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Mentor Open House 

Tue., July 14, 2026,  5:30-7 p.m.

Charles E. Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke St.)

Interested in mentoring youth in our community? Join the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership's Mentor Open House to learn about mentoring opportunities, connect with program staff and explore programs that match your interests and availability. No prior mentoring experience is required.

National Night Out

Tue., Aug. 4, 2026, from 5-8 p.m.

Various locations throughout Alexandria City 

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Nearly three dozen Alexandria communities will host activities. Exact times and events vary by neighborhood. More information will be shared on ACPS social media channels as the date approaches.

Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference 2026

Tues., Aug. 11, 2026,  10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 12, 2026,  10 a.m.-4 p.m

Thurs., Aug. 13, 2026,  11 a.m.-5 p.m

Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Dr.)

Rising 9th–12th grade students who live in the City of Alexandria are invited to participate in the free Alexandria Youth Leadership Conference. This event provides leadership development opportunities, community connections, and valuable resources to help students grow as leaders and make a positive impact in their community. 

Back-to-School Family Event 

Sat., Aug. 15, 2026, from 10 a.m.-noon

CASA Chirilagua (4109 Mount Vernon Ave.)

Parents and families are invited to our Back-to-School Community Event on August 15, 2026. Come out and connect with local organizations, explore helpful community resources and get everything you need to start the new school year strong. This is a fun, family-friendly event where you can meet community partners, learn about available supports and get connected to resources for students and families.