Register Now for the OTNA Online Forum on the Arts & Cultural District & Volunteer Event with Friends of Mount Vernon Trail, November Events Round Up, & More
Upcoming Old Town North Alliance Events - Registration Required
Thursday, November 13th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Online Forum hosted by the Old Town North Alliance:
Moving the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District from Concept to Reality
To download and print, please click on the flyer.
Join the Old Town North Alliance for an engaging discussion about the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District moderated by OTNA President (and TideLock co-developer) Ryan Whitaker. Panelists will include Jeffrey Farner (Department of Planning & Zoning), Suzanne Bethel (The Art League), Austen Holderness (Carr Properties, developer of 425 Montgomery St.), and Dena Stoner (Board Member of the National Council for the Traditional Arts and the Shippensburg University Foundation).
The first half of the forum will feature a panel discussion focusing on the status of the Arts & Cultural District and what can be done to accelerate progress. The second half of the forum will be dedicated to questions and comments from attendees. Please submit your questions in advance to director@otnalliance.org
The event is free, but you must register at the link below to receive the call-in information:
Saturday, November 15th, 10am
Old Town North Alliance Volunteer Event with Friends of the Mt. Vernon Trail
To download and print, please click on the flyer.
North of Marina Towers on the Mount Vernon Trail (see link below for a map of the meeting location)
In the spirit of togetherness and giving back to our community, please join us to help pick up trash along the Mount Vernon Trail in Old Town North near Marina Towers. Let’s show up and demonstrate the strong community spirit in Old Town North. All are welcome!
To register to volunteer, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trash-removal-near-marina-towers-tickets-1447705639539
Arts & Cultural District Updates
OTNA Member Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Offers Free Tickets to Federal Government Workers Impacted by Ongoing Shutdown
Earlier this week, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra announced that it would offer complimentary tickets to federal government workers impacted by the ongoing shutdown to select upcoming performances: Mozart & Mendelssohn on November 8, 2025 at 7:30pm and Holiday with a Twist on December 20, 2025 at 7:30pm. All complimentary tickets to Holiday with a Twist have been reserved, but there is still availability for Mozart & Mendelssohn.
For tickets and more information, visit alexsym.org and use code “shutdown25” when checking out, or call (703) 548-0885. The offer is valid for up to two free tickets per performance.
Development Updates
Wednesday, November 12th, 9am
Annual Urban Design Advisory Committee (UDAC) Walking Tour of Old Town North
This annual walking tour hosted by City staff and UDAC, will visit various development projects in Old Town North and provide updates and information on each project. The itinerary includes the following stops: 425 Montgomery St., Montgomery Center, Muse, TideLock, Venue, Ladrey Apartments, and Robinson Terminal North.
Meet at 9am in front of St. Elmo’s - Old Town North (529 Montgomery St.).
For more information, visit:
NOVEMBER EVENTS ROUND UP
Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, November 9th
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Presents: Mozart & Mendelssohn
Michael Rusinek (image courtesy of Alexandria Symphony Orchestra)
Saturday at 7:30pm at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center
Sunday at 3pm at the George Washington Masonic Memorial
An evening of Mozart & Mendelssohn featuring Michael Rusinek on the clarinet.
To purchase tickets, visit:
https://alexsym.org/performance/mozartandmendelssohn/
Sunday, November 9th; 1pm-4pm
Closing Celebration for Break Water
Break Water (image courtesy of the Old Town North Alliance)
Waterfront Park
This weekend marks the closing of the Break Water temporary art installation by artist Nekisha Durrett. Break Water was the seventh project in the Site See: New Views in Old Town annual public art series in Waterfront Park. Join representatives from the Office of the Arts for a closing celebration featuring a performance by Batalà at 2pm.
Monday, November 10th, 7pm
MetroStage at the Lyceum Presents: An Evening with Lisa Vroman
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
An evening of cabaret with Lisa Vroman, currently performing in the new National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera, and Joe Walsh on the piano.
To purchase tickets, visit:
November 19th, 5:30pm
NOTICe Annual Member Meeting
The North Old Town Independent Citizens’ Association (NOTICe) will be hosting its Annual Member Meeting on November 19th at 5:30pm at Marina Towers (501 Slaters Lane).
To RSVP for the meeting, visit:
https://www.notice-alexandria.org/updates/25annual
Sunday, November 23rd, 4pm - 5:30pm
Royal Restaurant & Wild Petal Society present:
Sip & Stem - Fall Holiday Centerpiece Class
(image courtesy of Wild Petal Society)
730 N. St. Asaph St.
A guided floral design workshop where you’ll create your own lush low arrangement for your Thanksgiving table while you enjoy a trio of Royal appetizers along with a glass of wine or handcrafted mocktail.
To register, visit:
https://www.thewildpetalsociety.com/classes/nov23-2025class
Thanksgiving Offerings in Old Town North
Royal Restaurant: Dine-in or Take-out
To make a reservation, visit:
To order your Thanksgiving Dinner for Two to go, visit:
https://order.toasttab.com/online/royal-restaurant-thanksgiving-to-go
a.lounge+bar at Hotel AKA Alexandria: Dine-in or take-out
Thanksgiving offerings at a.lounge+bar (image courtesy of Hotel AKA Alexandria)
Enjoy a special three-course prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner starting at 4pm at a.lounge+bar featuring elevated holiday classics and seasonal favorites including Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with truffle potato purée or Pan-Seared Branzino with brown butter pumpkin purée followed by your choice of Bourbon Pecan Tart or Pumpkin Mousse Verrine.
To make a reservation, visit:
If you prefer to dine at home, reserve your Thanksgiving Dinner Meal Kit from a.lounge+bar. Meals are available for two people or for four people and include an assortment of holiday classics including citrus & thyme roasted turkey breast, sourdough & apple stuffing, parker house rolls, spiced pumpkin cheesecake, and more!
For details and to reserve your Thanksgiving Dinner Meal Kit, visit:
Try the November frozen cocktail at Hank’s Oyster Bar
and help support Capital Area Food Bank
818 N. St. Asaph St.
Hank’s Oyster Bar has turned a turkey sandwich into a frozen cocktail. Stop by to try their “Turkey Sammich” and Hank’s will donate $1 from every cocktail to the Capital Area Food Bank.
Sunday, November 29th, noon - 5pm
Made in ALX and Port City Brewing present: Holiday Maker’s Market
3950 Wheeler Ave.
This kid-friendly, pet-friendly event features over 25 vendors, food, music, and a special appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus! Get a head start on your holiday shopping!
For more information, visit:
December Save-the-Dates
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.
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.
Saturday, December 6th - Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Alexandria’s Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (image courtesy of Jula’s on the Potomac)
Enjoy great views of the parade from Oronoco Bay Park or reserve a table on the waterfront balcony at Jula’s on the Potomac.
To make a reservation, visit:
Sunday, December 14th, 9am - 2pm
Old Town North Community Partnership 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.
Tuesday, December 16th, 6:30pm - 8pm
Old Town North Alliance Annual Meeting
Location details coming soon
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.
Saturday, December 20th & Sunday, December 21st
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/
Neighborhood Notes
Congratulations to OTNA Member Hotel AKA Alexandria on being named Large Business of the Year at the Chamber ALX Best in Business awards.
Congratulations to OTNA Member Carr Properties for being recognized with the top Archaeology Award from the City of Alexandria, the Brenman Award. The City commended Carr Properties for its “commitment to the highest quality archaeological preservation” with the work done at its 425 Montgomery St. site unearthing parts of the Alexandria Canal.
Congratulations to OTNA Member Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for being named a recipient of the AllTrails Stewards Fund. Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail hope to fill 300 potholes with the funds from this award and help keep the trail safe for all who use it.
OTNA Member River’s Edge Yoga has moved to a new location at 311 N. Washington St. Suite 1L. The studio is generously waiving class fees for federal employees during the government shutdown.
OTNA Member St. Elmo’s Old Town North is offering a limited edition “12 Cans of Christmas” Beer & Cider Advent Calendar this holiday season. Pick-up starts December 1st. Pre-orders are open now.
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/
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Don’t miss these regularly scheduled events in and around Old Town North!
Farmers Market on Thursdays (4pm -7:30pm) and Sundays (9am - 1:30pm). Presented by Old Town North Community Partnership in Montgomery Park.
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