February Events Round Up: Valentine’s Day & So Much More!
Annual Dues
Happy February! Please be on the lookout for your annual dues invoices which will be going out this month via email. Your support is essential to our efforts and we greatly appreciate your prompt payment of your dues. Please do not hesitate to contact director@otnalliance.org with any questions or if you would like to become a Member.
Sale of OTN Merchandise at Made in ALX
Would you like to show your support of Old Town North and support the Old Town North Alliance in the process? Stop by Made in ALX (415 King St.) or visit their website to get your Old Town North car magnet or sticker today!
Proceeds support the Old Town North Alliance.
The National Park Service Requests Feedback by February 12th on Proposed Trail, Safety, and Waterfront Improvements in Old Town North
On Monday, January 12th, representatives of OTNA and our partner Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail attended a virtual public meeting hosted by the National Park Service (NPS) and HRP Group to discuss plans for trail, safety, and waterfront improvements in connection with the HRP ALX project (power plant redevelopment) including proposed improvements to the Mount Vernon Trail and Potomac River Access, transportation and safety upgrades, and public space integration. NPS is conducting an environmental assessment to evaluate potential impacts of the proposed improvements and gather public input.
To view a recording of the January 12th presentation, visit:
https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=E17478E7-B2D4-4F53-8BAC-3ED3833CA6FA
For an outline of suggested feedback from our partner, Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, visit:
https://mountvernontrail.org/2026/01/29/public-feedback-sought-for-old-town-north-ea-public-scoping/
The deadline for providing feedback is February 12th. You can share your comments at the link below:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=147390
Mayor Gaskins Announces Plans for Memorial in Old Town North Honoring Lives Lost in
Midair Collision over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025
Last week, Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced that a memorial honoring those who lost their lives in the midair collision over the Potomac on January 29, 2025 is planned for the northeastern portion of Rivergate Park. The memorial is still in the design phase, but is expected to include a bench and plaques. OTNA has spoken with Mayor Gaskins and has offered to be involved in the process since the memorial is slated to be installed in Old Town North.
February Events Round Up
Alexandria Restaurant Week Extended through Sunday, February 8th
Alexandria Restaurant Week has been extended through Sunday, February 8th. Check out Restaurant Week offerings at a.lounge+bar, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Jula’s on the Potomac, Royal Restaurant, and St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub - Old Town North.
For more information, visit:
https://visitalexandria.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/
2026 Alexandria Cherry Challenge Continues through Sunday, February 8th
Stop by Jula’s on the Potomac or a.lounge+bar to sample their entries in the annual Cherry Challenge. At Jula’s, the Smoking Bullet features Old Forester 1910 craft whiskey, 7-year apple brandy, and cherry syrup and is double smoked with cherry and hickory wood. At a.lounge+bar, the Diplomatic Cherry features Suntory Toki Japanese whisky, cherry heering, frangelico, housemade salted white peppercorn syrup, and soda water.
For more information, visit:
https://washingtonbirthday.com/2026-cherry-challenge
Saturday, February 7th & Sunday, February 8th
Alexandria Warehouse Sale at Made in ALX
415 King St.
Visit Made in ALX on Saturday, February 7th or Sunday, February 8th to see their pop-up guests, textile artist Abena Motaboli and candlemaker Juliet Huntley. Take advantage of special deals (20% - 50% off) on select items. This is the perfect opportunity to shop for Valentine’s Day (and pick up an OTN magnet or sticker)!
Sunday, February 8th, 1:30-3:30pm
Hotel AKA Alexandria & Old Town Books Present:
A Valentine’s Day Silent Reading Party
625 First St.
Indulge yourself with a good book, a Valentine-themed drink, and a cozy seat in the peacefully elegant a.lounge+bar at Hotel AKA. Bring your own book or choose one from the curated selection offered for sale by Old Town Books.
Come early at 1pm for the special craft add-on with Relume - a Valentine’s Day Wreath workshop.
To purchase your ticket, visit:
Thursday, February 12th, 6:30pm
St. Elmo’s Old Town North & CatRad Creative Present: Bingo!
529 Montgomery St.
Stop by St. Elmo’s on Thursday, February 12th for Bingo Night and enjoy dancing, prizes, and bingo! Tickets are free, but register now to reserve your spot.
To reserve your spot, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/catrad-bingo-st-elmos-otn-tickets-1981256472443
Saturday, February 14th, 2pm - 4pm
George Washington Birthday Parade
George Washington Birthday Parade (image courtesy of the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee)
Old Town Alexandria
Don’t miss out on this Alexandria tradition! Hotel AKA Alexandria is a Gold Sponsor of the event, and keep an eye out for OTNA Vice President Maria Elizabeth, who will be serving as one of the parade judges again this year.
For a list of other George Washington Birthday Celebration events, visit:
https://washingtonbirthday.com/2026-events
Saturday, February 14th
Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, dinner reservations will go fast! Make your reservations today for one of the special Valentine’s offerings in Old Town North.
a.lounge+bar
730 N. Saint Asaph St.
Royal’s Valentine menu also includes special offers on sparkling wines.
To make a reservation, visit:
https://royalrestaurantva.com/
Jula’s on the Potomac
818 N. Saint Asaph St.
Hank’s Valentine’s Day menu will feature salmon tartare, lobster risotto, and blood orange panna cotta. Stay tuned to Hank’s instagram (@hanksoysterbar) for more details.
To make a reservation, visit:
https://hanksoysterbar.com/old-town/reservations/
Saturday, February 14th & Sunday February 15th
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Presents: Beethoven & Bohème
February 14th at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center
February 15th at the George Washington Masonic Memorial
Join the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and singers from the Cafritz Young Artists Program for an evening (or afternoon) of Beethoven and Puccini’s La Bohème. This is Conductor James Ross’s penultimate concert before he steps down following the April 25th & 26th performances of Bruch & Sibelius.
To purchase tickets for the February 14th performance, visit:
https://alexandriasymphonyorchestra.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a03Nt00000S6U6kIAF
The February 15th performance is SOLD OUT.
Sunday, February 15th
The Art League Presents: The Patrons’ Show
The Torpedo Factory (105 N. Union St.)
6pm - 10pm
Get your tickets now for The Art League’s biggest fundraiser of the year! It’s “part fundraiser, part art show, part block party, and totally fun.”
Purchase a ticket and be guaranteed to go home with a work of art! The event features 600+ works of art donated by Art League and Torpedo Factory artists. Visit an exhibit of the art in the weeks leading up to February 15th and pre-submit a list of up to 70 favorites. When your turn to select comes up during the Patrons’ Show Drawing, you will get the highest ranked choice on your list that is still available.
View some of the works of art HERE! More to come!
To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/patrons-show-2026-tickets-1975808359992?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday, February 21st, 11am - 1pm
Hank’s Oyster Bar Presents: Fourth Annual Chowderfest
818 N. Saint Asaph St.
Get your tickets now for the 4th Annual Chowderfest on the Rooftop at Hank’s Old Town North. Sample 5 different types of chowder along with a fish ‘n chips station and a variety of passed treats including Hog Island Style BBQ Oysters.
To purchase tickets, visit:
https://www.exploretock.com/hanksoysterbaroldtownalexandria/event/591265/4th-annual-chowderfest
Monday, February 23rd, 7pm
MetroStage at the Lyceum Presents:
Roots & Reverence - The Spirituals that Shaped America
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
Featuring Robert E. Person, a renowned Jazz and Gospel singer, this performance will “trac[e] the Negro spiritual from its origins to its profound influence on Jazz and Gospel.” Person will be joined by Sherice Williams, Ronnette Rollins, and Chad Gilbert on background vocals. Music will be provided by Allyn Johnson (piano), Romeir Mendez (bass), and Carroll Dashiell (drums).
To purchase tickets, visit:
Friday, February 27th, 6pm
Alexandria Seaport Foundation Presents:
Building Character - An Evening with General McChrystal
Belle Haven Country Club (6023 Fort Hunt Rd.)
The evening will feature a “fireside chat” with Alexandria Seaport Foundation Director Matt Roberts and General McChrystal followed by a Q&A session. Your ticket includes a buffet dinner, drinks, and a signed copy of the book.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:
https://givebutter.com/c/nJZtWd
Saturday, February 28th, 1pm - 3pm
Hotel AKA Alexandria Presents: A Regency Era Tea
625 First St.
Celebrate the new season of Bridgerton with a Regency Era Tea at a.lounge+bar complete with live music, tea sandwiches, finger bites, madeleines, macarons, tea and champagne.
To purchase tickets, visit:
Honor Black History Month with a Walk on the African American Heritage Trail
February is Black History Month. Did you know that the North Waterfront section of the African American Heritage Trail in Alexandria terminates in Old Town North? The Trail, created by the African American Heritage Trail Committee with the support of the Office of Historic Alexandria, was designed to illuminate the history of the African American Community in Alexandria. Start at the foot of King Street and work your way along the river north through Founders Park, Oronoco Bay Park, and Tide Lock Park to end at the corner of N. Fairfax St. and Montgomery St.
For more information, visit:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/historic-sites/african-american-heritage-trails
If it’s too cold to walk outdoors, you can enjoy the walk virtually using the Story Maps linked below.
North Waterfront Route Story Map:
https://alexgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=47a6a8e8942643f0ae499140f55c598f
South Waterfront Route Story Map:
https://alexgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=b411599b2ed74af79d1d04243f0df811
Neighborhood Notes
2026 Croatian Football Federation (image courtesy of FIFA.com)
Congratulations to Hotel AKA Alexandria who will be hosting the Croatian Football Federation this summer while the team trains at Episcopal High School during the FIFA World Cup. Games are scheduled to take place from June 11th through July 19th in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Hank’s Pasta Bar is now open for lunch on weekdays starting at 11am (takeout & delivery only). Hank’s Pasta Bar is open for takeout & delivery Saturday & Sunday from 4pm - 9pm and Monday through Friday from 11am - 9pm.
For more information, visit:
Need your Girl Scout Cookie fix? Made in ALX (415 King St.) will be hosting Girl Scout Cookie Booths Saturdays and Sundays in February & March.
For more information, visit:
OTNA Business Members, be sure to take advantage of the free resources provided by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.
For more information about upcoming workshop and training opportunities offered by AEDP, visit:
https://alexandriaecon.org/small-business/small-business-programs/
Don’t miss these regularly scheduled events in and around Old Town North!
Music Mondays at Royal Restaurant (730 N. Saint Asaph St.), 5pm - 8pm. Enjoy live music from classical guitarist Alex Barnett.
Farmers Market on Sundays (9am - 1pm). Presented by Old Town North Community Partnership in Montgomery Park. The Thursday Market is closed for the season.
Made in ALX classes (including Galentine’s and Valentine’s offerings!). To register, visit: https://www.madeinalx.com/shop/classes-events/68
Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco St.). Various history-themed events. For more information, visit: https://leefendallhouse.org/pages/events