Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade | Road closures, parking
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) – Scottish pride and history are on display as Old Town plays host to the 52nd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade on Dec. 2.
The parade, which includes dozens of participants, features Scottish clans in tartans making their way through the streets, along with pipe and drum bands from across the region, terriers, hounds, and more.
Visit Alexandria’s website explains that Scottish merchants founded Alexandria in 1749. The city was named after John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria.
The day also will feature many other celebrations, including the Alexandria Boat Parade of Lights.
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The Christmas walk parade is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its route starts at S. St. Asaph and Wolfe streets and ends at Market Square, located at King and Royal streets.
The boat parade of lights includes festivities that start long before the daylight fades. There’s something in Waterfront Park from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and there’s a family-friendly event at Canal Center from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The boat parade of lights, itself, runs from about 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. along the waterfront.
All of that means a lot of traffic in Old Town, so if you’re heading that way, a few things to keep in mind in terms of road closures and parking, whether you’re part of the special events or not:
One-way Traffic
Around 3 p.m. on Union Street between Duke Street and Queen Street, a one-way traffic pattern heading north is in effect to mitigate increased traffic for the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights.
King Street Pedestrian Zone Expands
Around 3 p.m., King Street’s pedestrian-only area (the single-digit and double-digit block and the 100 block) will expand to include the 200 block of King Street.
Lee Street from Duke Street to Cameron Street will be open to local traffic only, which includes residents, customers, parking garage patrons and deliveries. The intersection of King Street and Lee Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic.
The Alexandria Police Department will have officers there to manage access for local traffic and divert all other vehicles.
No Parking and Reserved Parking Zones
Areas along the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade’s route and next to the planned
activities in Waterfront Park may have no parking or reserved parking. You’ll want to read signs carefully and make sure to follow the times that are posted on them.
For a full list of road closures, their times, and the impact they’ll have, click here.
For more information about the big celebration, click here.
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