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Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
December 2, 2017 @ 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Free
At sundown on the day of Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, experience one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions with the 18th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.
Alexandria’s harbor shines as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront. Boats will be decked 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. The parade begins on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
D.C. media personality Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM will serve as the parade announcer while the Fresh FM Street Team presents music, games and prizes on the dock from 5 to 7 p.m.
Santa Claus will arrive by fireboat at the Alexandria City Marina before the parade at 3 p.m. and will walk to the Torpedo Factory Art Center where he will meet with children until 6 p.m.
Parade-goers are invited to step in to the Torpedo Factory Art Center for its annual Holiday Festival from 2 to 6 p.m. Shop for handmade artful gifts while exploring open studios and meeting artists. Kids can also scout for art with a building-wide scavenger hunt before and after taking photos with Santa. Special performances at the art center include appearances by the Alexandria Choral Society Pro Coro and the Silver 5 Brass Quintet.
Schedule at the Alexandria Marina
2 to 6 p.m. Torpedo Factory Art Center Holiday Festival
3 p.m. Santa arrives by fireboat and walks in to the Torpedo Factory
5 to 7 p.m. Fresh FM Street Team presents music, games and prizes on the dock
5:30 p.m. Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
6 to 9 p.m. Torpedo Factory Art Center open late
The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is part of a Potomac River holiday tradition with the District’s Holiday Boat Parade taking place the same evening at 7 p.m. at The Wharf in Washington, D.C.
Getting to the event:
Alexandria is accessible via Metrorail, bus, Uber, Lyft, taxi, Capital Bikeshare and more. To come to the boat parade via Metrorail, take the yellow or blue line to the King St-Old Town station and ride the free King Street Trolley to the waterfront.
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