What better day than to start a new blog series of ‘My Favorite Things’ in our neighborhood than Christmas Eve? These things don’t have to be big but they’re the things that make our community such a special place to be raising our kids!
Years ago Purple Goose started the tradition of being a drop off point for letters to Santa. Their mailbox disappeared last year but they continued the tradition this year. Santa replies to each letter that is dropped off!
Del Ray Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Luminaries,
& Visit with Santa Claus!
Moved to Sat., December 7th ~ 6 pm
Events are at the Del Ray Farmers Market
Corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and East Oxford Avenue
And along Mt. Vernon Avenue
· Enjoy thousands of Luminaries along Mt. Vernon Avenue
· Sing holiday carols at the Del Ray Farmer’s Market led by:
“The Rainbow Lady from Rainbow Rock aka Kate Moran”
· Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate provided by Evening Star & Buzz Bakery
· Sit on Santa’s lap and have a photo taken
·Come out and see if you can “Find the Spirits” in Del Ray. Many businesses will be open late for shoppers & offering special holiday spirits/beverages
· Stop by Del Ray Artisans Holiday Market to shop & enjoy festive food
And, in the true spirit of the holidays, we are asking our neighbors to help those most in need. In partnership with Carpenter’s Homeless Shelter, we ask you to please bring and drop in the boxes at the tree lighting any of the following items:
· Food – canned goods (soup, vegetables, canned meat)
· Disposable diapers
· New Twin Sheets
· Towels and wash cloths
· Deodorant/Razors
Volunteers are needed December 6 at 2 pm to distribute the luminaries along Mt. Vernon Avenue, 5 pm to light them and at 10 pm to extinguish & pick them up.
To help, contact Gayle Reuter at delraydrba@yahoo.com
Sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association
You’ve been waiting all year and now it’s time to welcome Santa Claus to Alexandria! Here’s where you’ll find the big man in town!
Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, Nov. 29, 6 p.m., Old Town Alexandria’s Market Square (301 King Street). Celebrate the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony. Admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine. Mayor Bill Euille and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will light the city’s tree and there will be a community singalong with the Alexandria Harmonizers and the Alexandria Choral Society.
Light Up the Village at Shirlington: Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Shirlington. Families are invited to take photos with Shirlington’s Santa Claus and participate in activities for children. Horse-drawn carriage rides through the village will also be available.
Del Ray Tree Lighting and Luminarias: Friday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m. Alexandria’s Del Ray community will come together at the corner of Mount Vernon and E. Oxford Avenues to sing carols light the neighborhood tree. Santa is expected to drop by and will likely be available for photos. Mount Vernon Avenue will be lit with hundreds of luminarias.
Breakfast with Santa at Union St. Public House: Breakfast is table-service and we will have a very special menu, including some all-time favorites like Eggs Benedict and Belgian Malted Waffles. Only $13.50 per child and $22 per adult. Cost includes breakfast, milk, soda, coffee, tea, tax, gratuity, and, of course, a visit with Santa. Six seatings each day starting at 8:30 am.
Landmark Mall: Visit Santa in the Center Court any day until Dec. 24th
Santa Claus is Coming to Old Town: Santa and Mrs. Claus are back in Old Town Alexandria to take pictures with children every Saturday and Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This opportunity is presented by the Old Town Boutique District in partnership with the City of Alexandria and the support of area businesses.
See Santa at Pentagon City: Santa even has special hours for photos with pets! He takes breaks to feed the reindeer at 1 and 5 p.m. More info here.
Scottish Walk Parade: The Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade draws nearly 30,000 individuals and families. Tourists travel from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to participate in this celebrated community event. More than 100 Scottish Clans, pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, Scottie dogs, dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus will march through the streets of Old Town. Parade begins at St. Asaph and Wolfe St.
Breakfast with Santa: Join Del Ray United Methodist Church’s Free Annual Breakfast with Santa on Sat., Dec. 7th at 9 a.m.
Visit Mrs. Claus: Greenstreet Gardens at 1721 W Braddock Rd will have a fun twist on visiting Santa. Visit their open house on Saturday, Dec. 30th and meet Mrs. Claus. Have your picture taken with her and give her your letter for Santa.
Whistle Stop Toys and Hobbies: Santa is coming to Whistle Stop Toys and Hobbies on Friday, November 29th. Along with Mrs. Claus and one of his cute little elves! Come take a picture with him and enjoy some holiday cheer!
Brunch with Santa at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City: Enjoy holiday brunch with a very special guest, Santa Clause! Sing your favorite holiday tunes along with our Christmas carolers, and receive a special gift. Reservations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don’t miss the annual tree lighting this coming Friday Dec. 7th at the Del Ray Farmer’s Market parking lot, located at the corner of Mt. Vernon & E. Oxford Ave. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Each year the Del Ray Business Association sponsors thousands of luminaries that are lit up and down Mt. Vernon Ave. and singing holiday favorites led by Del Ray’s own Kate Moran Band. 
There will be hot chocolate and cookies and Santa will arrive after the crowd sings ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’. Santa will have candy canes for the kids and there is a photographer that will be taking pictures of the children with Santa that you will be able to download on-line.
In the spirit of the season and to help those less fortunate this holiday, the organizers are asking everyone to bring needed items for the Carpenter’s Homeless Shelter, including food (especially soup & canned meat), new twin sheets, disposable diapers and personal items (deodorant, razors, etc.). There will be drop-off boxes at the Farmers’ Market on Friday evening.
This is a great opportunity to see why Del Ray is such a magical little neighborhood. You can stop by one of the many businesses that will be staying open until 9 pm as part of the Holiday Celebration. Many stores will have specials and fun events. The brand new The Nest Academy daycare will also be having an open house from 6-8 p.m. and have free pictures with Santa. There will be a wine tasting hosted by Swirl & Sip at A Show of Hands
The Holiday Tree Lighting, Santa Visit and luminaries are sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association and are free.
We’re all wrapped up and stuffed from Thanksgiving and now it’s time to start looking forward to Christmas! This weekend marks an exciting start to the Christmas season with the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. There are several events to enjoy with your family.
The first is the Deck the Halls with Santa!
This fun event for children is held on Friday Nov. 30th from 1-3 p.m. at the Masonic Temple. Kids will get to meet Santa and “Plaid the Dog.” The event features age appropriate crafts for children to help “Deck the Halls,” seasonal treats, and a raffle full of goodies, toys, and experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Note that crafts are ideally for ages 2-5 with little assistance required. The Masonic Temple does not permit strollers.
Tickets are $30 for adults; $15 for children 11 and under. You can purchase your tickets online.
Saturday, Dec. 1st beginning at 11 a.m. is the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.
The parade features Scottish Clans, music, dancing and lots of dog groups. Line up early to get a good spot, because the parade attracts over 30,000 to Old Town to watch the 140+ groups march. The parade kicks off at 11 and will likely go until 1. Here’s the map of the parade route.
At the end of the parade there is a massed band concert where all the musicians from the parade gather in market square to perform. This is a truly amazing experience!
All of the events of the weekend are presented by The Campagna Center. The Center is responsible for providing educational and developmental services for children and families.
Santa arrives in Del Ray this coming Friday, Dec. 2nd. at the annual Del Ray Holiday Tree Lighting. The kids can visit with Santa, there will be thousands of Luminaries along the Avenue and special “Holiday Spirits” that will be offered by many of the retail businesses in Del Ray. The Tree Lighting and visit with Santa will take place at 6 pm, at the lot at Mt. Vernon and E. Oxford Avenues. We will also sing holiday favorites led by our own Kate Moran Band and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies. After Santa lights the tree he will hand out candy canes and a photographer will be available to take photos of your children with Santa which can be e-mailed to you. Also look for a special appearance by the Del Ray Carolers.
The Santa train arrives in Alexandria on December 5th, 12th and 19th. Tickets can be purchased at Whistle Stop Hobbies in old town at 130 S. Royal St. Ticket have to be purchased and picked up in person but you can call 703-549-4912 for more details.
