OTNA Annual Meeting & December Events Round Up
Old Town North Alliance Annual Meeting
Tuesday, December 16th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Hotel AKA Alexandria (625 First St.)
Please join us for the Old Town North Alliance Annual Meeting on Tuesday, December 16th. Whether you are an OTNA Member or you are interested in learning more about OTNA, all are welcome.
City Manager Jim Parajon will be a guest speaker and we will provide an overview of OTNA Activity in 2025 as well as identify OTNA priorities for 2026.
A huge thank you to OTNA Member Hotel AKA Alexandria for generously offering to host us for this event.
Please register at the link below so we know how many people to expect. Looking forward to seeing you there!
December Events Round Up
Now through December 10th
Toys4ALX Community Toy Drive
Donate new, unopened, unwrapped toys for ages 1-10 to families supported by The Fund for Alexandria’s Child, The Miracle League of Alexandria, The Domestic Violence Substance and Abuse Center, and others. The following OTNA Members are serving as drop-off locations:
Gables Old Town North (525 Montgomery St.)
Hank’s Oyster Bar (818 N. St. Asaph St.)
Made in ALX (415 King St.)
St. Elmo’s Old Town North (529 Montgomery St.)
For more information, visit: https://www.volunteeralexandria.org/toydrive
Now through the end of the month
St. Elmo’s Drive Supporting the H3 Project
529 Montgomery St.
Donate new or gently used jackets, thermals, hats, gloves, and hand warmers through the end of the month at St. Elmo’s Old Town North. Donate now through Sunday and enjoy a free 16oz hot or iced coffee or tea as a thank you from St. Elmo’s.
Now through December 21st
OTNCP Bundle Up Campaign
Now through December 21st, the Old Town North Community Partnership is collecting new socks, gloves, and handwarmers at the Community Market Stand at the Sunday Farmers Market in Montgomery Park (901 N. Royal St.) from 9am - 1:30pm. The items will be donated to those in need.
December 1st through December 7th,
3pm - 6pm
Jula’s on the Potomac presents:
DC Cocktail Week
44 Canal Center Plaza (4th floor)
Stop by Jula’s through this Saturday, December 7th for a holiday-themed social hour from 3pm - 6pm. The menu features a $25 cocktail + bite pairing (a mistletoe margarita with citrus salt-roasted shrimp) as well as other other holiday cocktails/mocktails, and a winter dessert trio.
Friday, December 5th, 5pm - 8pm
The Art League presents:
Holiday Market - Campus Crawl Edition
Muse Studios (1201 N. Royal St.) & Slaters Annex (800 Slaters Ln.)
Ride the free shuttle between the two new Art League locations - Muse Studios and Slaters Annex - and shop from a selection of fine art, jewelry, stained glass, and pottery.
For more information, visit:
Friday, December 5th, 5pm - 10pm
Made in ALX Pop-up Holiday Market
415 King St.
Get a jump on your holiday shopping at Made in ALX’s Holiday Market featuring local artists popped up outside the store and dessert inside the store.
For more information, visit:
Friday, December 5th through Sunday, December 7th
The Art League Presents:
Holiday Ceramics Sale
Slaters Annex (800 Slaters Ln.)
Stop by Slaters Annex to shop from among hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces made by Art League students and artists. Open Friday from 5pm-8pm, Saturday from 10am-8pm, and Sunday from 10am - 5pm.
For more information, visit:
Saturday, December 6th, 1pm - 4pm
Holiday Market at Hotel AKA Alexandria
625 First St.
Get into the holiday spirit at Hotel AKA Alexandria - shop from local vendors, make holiday crafts, enjoy food and drink specials and a special Santa storytime, and more! The perfect way to spend the afternoon before strolling over to the waterfront for the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights!
For more information, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-market-at-hotel-aka-alexandria-tickets-1972866441635?aff=CVB
Saturday, December 6th, 5:30pm start
25th Annual Alexandria
Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Alexandria’s Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (image courtesy of Visit Alexandria)
Old Town North is the perfect venue for watching the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Enjoy great views of the parade from Oronoco Bay Park, Rivergate Park, or the new Pendleton St. Promenade. If you would like to dine while you watch, reserve a table at Jula’s on the Potomac.
Note that boats may start lining up before 5:30pm at viewing locations in Old Town North so you may want to plan to arrive closer to 5pm.
To make a reservation at Jula’s, visit:
Sunday, December 7th, 4pm - 5:30pm
Royal Restaurant & Wild Petal Society present:
Sip & Stem - Festive Winter Bouquet Class
730 N. St. Asaph St.
Sip on a glass of wine or a handcrafted mocktail and enjoy a trio of Royal’s signature appetizers while you learn how to create a lush winter bouquet to brighten up your home for the holidays.
To buy tickets, visit:
https://www.thewildpetalsociety.com/classes/dec7-2025class
Wednesday, December 10th, 6:30pm
Hotel AKA presents: Winter Warmth - The Piedmont Wine Dinner
625 First St.
Reserve your seat in a.lounge now for this wine dinner that will pair exceptional wines from the Piedmont region of Italy with a thoughtfully curated dinner menu.
To purchase tickets, visit:
Friday, December 12th, 6pm - 9pm
St. Elmo’s presents:
Gingerbread and Cocktails
529 Montgomery St.
Build and decorate your own gingerbread house and enjoy holiday cocktails, sweet treats, and live holiday music. This event always sells out, so get your tickets before they’re gone!
To purchase tickets, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gingerbread-house-decorating-cocktails-tickets-1966402455679
Saturday, December 13th, 11am - 4pm
Lee-Fendall House presents:
Winter Crafts and Carols
614 Oronoco St.
Visit Lee-Fendall House for winter-themed arts and crafts, a knitting and crocheting corner, festive holiday music from the Adult Music Student Forum, and drinks and sweet treats. Entry times are on the hour starting at 11am with the last entry time at 3pm.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-crafts-carols-tickets-1478221643729?_eboga=undefined
Sunday, December 14th, 9am - 2pm
OTNCP Annual Holiday Market
Stop by Montgomery Park (901 N. Royal St.) for festive fun at the Annual Holiday Market hosted by the Old Town North Community Partnership.
Sunday, December 14th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Hotel AKA and Old Town Books present:
A Silent Reading Party
625 First St.
Steal some quiet moments for yourself and settle into the cozy lounge at Hotel AKA with a good book and seasonal cocktails or mocktails. Arrive by 1pm to participate in the My Year in Books holiday ornament workshop with Relume.
To purchase your tickets, visit:
Sunday, December 14th, 5pm - 8pm
Royal Restaurant presents:
“The End of an Era” Watch Party
730 N. St. Asaph St.
Dress in your favorite Taylor Swift look and join fellow Swifties at Royal Restaurant to watch the six-part docuseries, “The End of an Era,” enjoy a Taylor Swift-inspired cocktail/mocktail menu along with delicious bites and entrees.
To reserve your free spot, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taylor-swift-watch-party-tickets-1975872934135?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Tuesday, December 16th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Old Town North Alliance Annual Meeting
Hotel AKA Alexandria (625 First St.)
OTNA President Ryan Whitaker will provide an overview of OTNA activity in 2025 as well as a look ahead to 2026. City Manager Jim Parajon will be a special guest speaker. All are welcome to attend.
To register, visit:
Thursday, December 18th, 5pm - 8pm
Royal Restaurant presents:
A Special Catoctin Creek Event
730 N. St. Asaph St.
Enjoy rare tastings from Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, a live Q&A with the founders Scott & Becky, and an exclusive cocktail menu featuring Royal’s Blackberry Smash.
To reserve your spot, visit:
Saturday December 20th, 10am - 12pm
Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail: Alexandria Alternate Trail Clean-up
Meet near the corner of N. Royal & Bashford by the entrance to the old power plant.
Join Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail to help clear away vegetation that is growing into the Alexandria Alternate Trail and making it narrow.
For more information and to register to volunteer, visit:
Saturday, December 20th at 7:30pm & Sunday, December 21st at 3:00pm
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Presents:
Holiday with a Twist
Enjoy music from Handel’s Messiah, carols, classics, and other favorites from the season plus dancers from BalletNova perform dances from The Nutcracker (Saturday only).
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:
https://alexsym.org/performance/holidaywithatwist/
Sunday, December 21st at 4pm & Monday, December 22nd at 7pm
MetroStage at the Lyceum presents:
Mayhem and Musical Merriment
at the Old Bull and Bush
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
Join Catherine Flye, Bob McDonald, Andrew Ross Wynn, Rachel Elezi, and Joe Walsh for this “classic British music hall full of mayhem, holiday merriment, and music.”
To purchase tickets, visit:
Sunday, December 21st, 4pm - 5:30pm
Royal Restaurant & Wild Petal Society present:
Sip & Stem - Winter Holiday Centerpiece Class
730 N. St. Asaph St.
Enjoy a glass of wine or a handcrafted mocktail and snack on a trio of Royal’s signature appetizers while you learn how to create a beautiful winter centerpiece to adorn your holiday table.
To buy tickets, visit:
https://www.thewildpetalsociety.com/classes/dec21-2025class
Neighborhood Notes
Congratulations to OTNA Member Hotel AKA for being selected as an American Express Travel 2025 Card Member Favorite Hotel.
It’s not too late to get your limited edition “12 Cans of Christmas” Beer & Cider Advent Calendar from OTNA Member St. Elmo’s Old Town North.
OTNA Member Royal Restaurant is offering a special deal on gift cards this holiday season - receive a $20 bonus gift card with every $100 gift card purchase. Offer is good through January 1, 2026.
https://www.alexandriarestaurantpartners.com/gift-cards
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!
Farmers Market on Sundays (9am - 1:30pm). Presented by Old Town North Community Partnership in Montgomery Park. The Thursday Market is closed for the season.
Made in ALX classes. 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