Morrison House

Literary Libations January Book Club
2026-01-14 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Morrison House Hotel, 116 S Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
Join fellow book lovers for Literary Libations, a free monthly book club hosted in the Parlor Room at The Study at Morrison House. Taking place one Wednesday each month, this gathering offers a relaxed and welcoming space to dive into your next read—whether it’s a timeless classic, a trending release, or the latest must-read from BookTok.
Sip on themed cocktails and mocktails inspired by the book of the month, pair them with small plates from The Study’s bar menu, or linger after the discussion to indulge in a seasonal tasting menu.
Literary Libations isn’t a formal, structured discussion—it’s a cozy salon for mingling, exchanging ideas, and diving into new worlds together. Conversation starters and thoughtful prompts will be scattered around the room, but the conversation is all yours to shape.

BOOK OF THE MONTH: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The epic tale of Janie Crawford, whose quest for identity takes her on a journey during which she learns what love is, experiences life’s joys and sorrows, and come home to herself in peace. Her passionate story prompted Alice Walker to say, “There is no book more important to me than this one.”
When first published in 1937, this novel about a proud, independent black woman was generally dismissed by male reviewers. Out of print for almost thirty years, but since its reissue in paperback edition by the University of Illionois Press in 1978, Their Eyes Were Watching God has become the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature.
With haunting sympathy and piercing immediacy, Their Eyes Were Watching God tells the story of Janie Crawford’s evolving selfhood through three marriages. Light-skinned, long-haired, dreamy as a child, Janie grows up expecting better treatment than she gets until she meets Tea Cake, a younger man who engages her heart and spirit in equal measure and gives her the chance to enjoy life without being a man’s mule or adornment. Though Jaine’s story does not end happily, it does draw to a satisfying conclusion. Janie is one black woman who doesn’t have to live lost in sorrow, bitterness, fear, or foolish romantic dreams, instead Janie proclaims that she has done “two things everbody’s got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin’ fuh theyselves.”

Alexandria Restaurant Week
2026-01-23 - 2026-02-01 | VA
Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week will take place January 23 – February 1, 2026. Stay tuned for news about participating restaurants.
Alexandria Restaurant Week showcases the creativity of local chefs and breadth of international cuisine in neighborhoods throughout the city, including Old Town, Old Town North, Del Ray, Carlyle and Eisenhower, Arlandria-Chirilagua and the West End. This event highlights the city’s vibrant food scene and encourages visitors and locals alike to discover new neighborhoods and tastes.

Preservation of Carlyle House: What if we could do it over?
2026-01-24 16:00 - 18:00 | Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, United States
Four years after the passage of The National Historic Preservation Act, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) began a daunting task: the restoration of the Carlyle House, an Aquia creek stone building in Alexandria, VA. Fauber Garbee, Inc., Architects directed the extensive restoration and research of Carlyle’s 1753 home and the long forgotten stories associated with the house.
Join members of the original restoration team Sharon Park, FAIA, FAPT, LEED AP and Baird M. Smith, FAIA FAPT along with other preservation professionals to examine the specific conservation, repair and restoration steps undertaken 50 years ago. Then delve into a dialogue exploring whether the same paths would be taken today and why or why not.
The presentation begins at 4 pm followed by a panel discussion, moderated question-and-answer session, and the opportunity to network with other professionals while enjoying light refreshments.

$12 per person. Friends of Carlyle House members: $6 per person with code.
Space is limited and reservations are required.

This program is non-refundable unless cancelled by the museum. Having trouble registering? Please call 703-549-2997 or email carlyle@nvrpa.org

Literary Libations February Book Club
2026-02-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Morrison House Hotel, 116 S Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
Join fellow book lovers for Literary Libations, a free monthly book club hosted in the Parlor Room at The Study at Morrison House. Taking place one Wednesday each month, this gathering offers a relaxed and welcoming space to dive into your next read—whether it’s a timeless classic, a trending release, or the latest must-read from BookTok.
Sip on themed cocktails and mocktails inspired by the book of the month, pair them with small plates from The Study’s bar menu, or linger after the discussion to indulge in a seasonal tasting menu.
Literary Libations isn’t a formal, structured discussion—it’s a cozy salon for mingling, exchanging ideas, and diving into new worlds together. Conversation starters and thoughtful prompts will be scattered around the room, but the conversation is all yours to shape.
BOOK OF THE MONTH: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
In Bonhomie, Ohio, a stolen moment of passion, sparked in the exuberant aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, binds Cal Jenkins, a man wounded not in war but by his inability to serve in it, to Margaret Salt, a woman trying to obscure her past. Cal’s wife, Becky, has a spiritual gift: She is a seer who can conjure the dead, helping families connect with those they’ve lost. Margaret’s husband, Felix, is serving on a Navy cargo ship, out of harm’s way—until a telegram suggests that the unthinkable might have happened.
Later, as the country reconstructs in the postwar boom, a secret grows in Bonhomie—but nothing stays buried forever in a small town. Against the backdrop of some of the most transformative decades in modern America, the consequences of that long-ago encounter ripple through the next generation of both families, compelling them to reexamine who they thought they were and what the future might hold.
Sweeping yet intimate, rich with piercing observation and the warmth that comes from profound understanding of the human spirit, Buckeye captures the universal longing for love and for goodness.

2026 George Washington Birthday Parade
2026-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 | VA
Saturday, February 14, 2026
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
2026 Parade Theme
George Washington: Virginia’s Son ~ America’s Founding Father
In honor of George Washington’s leading role in the founding of our country
during its 250th Anniversary Year
2026 Grand Marshals
Michael J. Elston, Esq., National President General, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
Ginnie Sebastian Storage, National President General, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
For Parade Unit Registration, click here.
For upcoming events honoring Washington’s birthday in his adopted hometown, click here.
For 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities, click here.
For all donation opportunities, click here.
For Grand Marshal bios and photos, click here.
Alexandria’s George Washington Birthday Parade features over a thousand participants from a wide variety of organizations who are known for their dedication and high spirits, rain or shine. It commemorates Washington’s legacy in his adopted hometown, creating a vibrant atmosphere that strengthens the bonds that tie the community together year after year.

ALX Dog Walk
2026-04-18 07:00 - 11:00 | Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
The ALX Dog Walk, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, strives to educate people in the DC/MD/VA region about plastic free and sustainable living through an annual event featuring a 2-mile dog walk and community/sustainability festival. We call this educational approach, #funactivism!
The beloved ALX Dog Walk annual event returns on April 18, 2026 with an exciting new collaboration and an expanded mission. Next April, we’re partnering with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria to unite two powerful causes – sustainable living and animal welfare – for one joyful celebration of pets and the planet.
HERE’S THE SCOOP!
– When: Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7 AM – 11 AM.
– Where: Oronoco Bay Park, Alexandria, VA.
– The Walk: Join 2,000+ dog lovers and their adorable pups for a scenic 2-mile walk through historic Old Town Alexandria. The route follows down Union Street, loops along the breathtaking Waterfront Walk, and ends with a celebration at Oronoco Bay Park. Along the way, walkers enjoy fun surprises—including pop-up performances from local favorites like The Alexandria Singers!
Sustainable Goodie Bags: Walkers receive a drawstring backpack filled with eco-friendly treats, including a sustainably sourced t-shirt, a dog bandana, and other plastic-free goodies.
Adoptable Dogs & Park Activities: Enjoy a wide range of fun including adoptable dogs, a dog obstacle course, DJ music, kids’ play stations, park games, and even a puppy tattoo artist and portrait artist!
– The Dog Show: Three lucky winners take home a prize in our “Twinsie” contest—the dog that most resembles its human!
– Sustainability Festival: Explore a bustling festival with vendors showcasing and selling eco-goods and services for everyday living.
– Plastic Art Competition: Local artists display creative works made from plastic waste—highlighting both awareness and artistry. Awards are given, and additional artwork is available for purchase.
– Nonprofit Village: Meet incredible local nonprofits making a difference, just ahead of ACT for Alexandria’s annual Spring2ACTion Giving Day.
– Free Coffee for Reusables: The first 500 walkers with a mug receive a free cup of Hypergoat Coffee Roaster’s ethically sourced coffee.
– Special Discounts: We providecomplimentary registration to the first 150 active/retired military participants. Students and groups receive discounts, and kids 12 and under walk for free!

Festival of Speed & Style
2026-05-17 | VA
The Organizing Committee is already preparing for the Seventh Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026, with exciting new features planned to enhance the experience, elevate the event, and raise even more funds for Alexandria charities.
The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style weekend begins with the High Octane Ball on Saturday night with an exceptional evening of sophistication and philanthropy at our Black & White–themed charity event. Guests will be treated to a premier culinary experience, including gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a thoughtfully curated dinner, expertly crafted cocktails, fine wines, and an indulgent selection of desserts—setting the stage for meaningful conversations, new connections, and unforgettable moments.
This annual weekend-long celebration is held in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, along the lower blocks of King Street between Saint Asaph and Lee Street, just steps from the waterfront. Each year, the festival welcomes more than 40,000 car enthusiasts and spectators and has become one of the East Coast’s premier automotive showcases, attracting national and international attention and positioning Old Town Alexandria as a destination for unforgettable experiences.
