Coming Up in December 2024: Community Engagement and Calendar Reminders

Learn about calendar reminders and upcoming community events for December. Find out when the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Community Outreach team will be in your neighborhood!

Community Engagement Events

Alexandria Public Library - Beginner and Intermediate Conversation

Weekly sessions at different library locations.

Improve your English speaking skills! The Alexandria Library invites all interested in enhancing their skills to join a conversation group to practice English and gain confidence. No registration is needed.

Alexandria Public Library Calendar

Alexandria Library is hosting exciting events and activities for all ages across the city! From storytime for kids to book clubs, workshops and community gatherings, there is always something happening at your local library. Check out their events calendar to find something of interest at a branch near you.

Alexandria City Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) Calendar

Looking for fun and engaging activities around the city? Alexandria City’s RPCA offers a variety of programs and events for all ages, including sports, fitness classes, family-friendly festivals and much more at local recreation centers and parks. Visit its upcoming events calendar to explore what is happening near you.

Family Holiday Magic Show

Wed. Dec. 4, 7-9 p.m.

Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum (201 South Washington Street)

Join the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum for a free holiday magic show, performed by professional magicians who are members of Ring 50, the D.C.-area chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

53rd Annual Scottish Walk Christmas Parade and 24th Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Sat., Dec. 7

Walk parade: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Boat parade: 5:30 p.m.

Old Town Alexandria

Visit Old Town Alexandria for the Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, featuring a parade of Scottish clans and Scottie dogs, as well as the Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on the Potomac River sponsored by Amazon.

Grinchmas

Sat., Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m

Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street)

Join us for whimsical fun straight out of Who-ville! Filled with laughter, photos, food and family-friendly activities that will have you feeling merry and bright. Participants will be able to take pictures with the Grinch and listen to a live reading of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Register today!

A Very Merry ALX Jazz Fest

Sat., Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m

George Washington Masonic Memorial (100 Callahan Drive)

The enchanting sounds of jazz will fill the air at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Old Town Alexandria as the culmination of the ALX Jazz Fest 2024 season. Featuring free live music, art and poetry.

Del Ray Holiday Season Kickoff

Sun., Dec. 8, 6 p.m.

Pat Miller Square (Mount Vernon Avenue and East Oxford Avenue)

Get ready to kick off the holiday season with the Del Ray Tree & Menorah Lighting, tunes, hot chocolate and much more! Enjoy hand-painted holiday windows in storefronts and start your holiday shopping with a stroll down Mount Vernon Avenue, which will be illuminated by thousands of luminarias.

ALIVE! Pop-Up Food Distributions

Various dates and locations (see below).

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 ID is required. Make sure to check out the ALIVE website for more information about the Food Hubs.

Sat., Dec. 14, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Leonard Chick Armstrong Recreation Center (25 West Reed Avenue)

Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology (3600 Commonwealth Avenue)

 

Thurs., Dec. 19, 4-6 p.m.

Francis C. Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Road)

 

Thurs., Dec. 21, 4-6 p.m.

Francis C. Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Road)

 

Kwanzaa Workshop

Sat., Dec. 14, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe Street)

Come out and learn about the origins, concepts, practices, and foods of Kwanzaa! Members of the staff will share the historical foundation of Kwanzaa and its seven principles. Program includes candle lighting, food tasting and information on craft projects. The cost is $3 per person.

Christmas in Camp

Sat., Dec. 14, 12-4 p.m

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 West Braddock)

Get in the holiday spirit and learn how Christmas was observed during the Civil War at this popular family-oriented event. Enjoy a patriotic Civil War Santa Claus, reenactments in winter camp settings, period decorations, fort tours and children's activities.

Alexandria Holiday Invitational Cheer Competition

Sun., Dec. 14, 2-5 p.m.

Alexandria City High School (3330 King Street)

Get ready to dazzle, dance and dominate! Support youth cheerleading teams from neighborhood recreation centers and the metropolitan area. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event.

Winter Fest - A Time of Hope

Sun., Dec. 15, 3 - 5:00 p.m.

Patrick Henry K-8 School (4643 Taney Avenue) 

Celebrate the holiday season with joy and community spirit at Winter Fest, co-sponsored by Landmark Church and CCNA in partnership with Patrick Henry School. Enjoy engaging family activities, toys for children, and a delicious meal provided by Be the Good Project.

Colonial Handbell Ringers Concert

Sun., Dec. 15, 2-3 p.m.

Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum (201 South Washington Street)

The 2024 holiday concert will feature fun, uplifting classics such as “Caroling, Caroling” and “Jingle Bells,” beautiful arrangements of “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Simple Gifts” and “In the Bleak Midwinter” and the rousing finale “Three Carols for Three Countries.”

Building Bonds Beyond the School — Webinar Series for Families: Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) & Hazel Telehealth Services: Understanding the Social-Emotional Screening Tool Used In ACPS and the Telehealth Service that Supports Student Mental Health

Wed., Dec. 18, 6-7 p.m.

Zoom

The Department of Student Services and Equity (DSSE) is excited to present this webinar series focused on supporting the academic, social, physical and emotional well-being of ACPS students. These webinars will provide valuable information and resources for families to enhance their children's experiences and outcomes.

Winter Wonderland

Fri., Dec. 20, 3-4:30 p.m.

Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library (4701 Seminary Road)

Winter is here and so is the library winter wonderland family event at the Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library. There will be face painting, seasonal crafts and delicious treats. Everyone is welcome.

Cultural Observance Days

On weekdays, these are regular school days. However, these days should not have assessments, sporting events, and other school sponsored special activities. Any missed assignments due to student absences on these days can be made up without penalty.

Sun., Dec. 8: Bodhi Day

Mon., Dec. 25: First Night of Chanukah

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Thurs., Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.

Thurs., Dec. 19 at 6 p.m.

School Board meetings are held in person in the School Board meeting room located on the first floor at 1340 Braddock Place, unless noted otherwise. Members of the public may attend in person or via Zoom. Please visit the School Board webpage for any updates to the meeting schedule.