The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 277th birthday and commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary on Saturday, July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.). The event includes opening act, Decades Band, Master of Ceremonies NBC4 Washington Reporter Molette Green, a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.    

In case of rain or storms, the full event will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 12 at 6 p.m. Visit the City Birthday webpage for more information.  

Port City Brewing Company will be on site selling craft beer, and local food truck vendors will sell food and desserts along Pendleton Street. Special thanks to Wegmans for its generous donation toward the birthday cupcakes, which will be distributed at the Cupcake Tent beginning at 8 p.m., while supplies last. 

Virginia American Water will provide a misting tent and free water at a cooling station along the Madison Street side of the park, and DASH will have two cooling buses available for attendees, including a special America 250 wrapped bus, at Madison and Wythe Streets. 

What should I bring? 

Oronoco Bay Park has lawn seating. We encourage you to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Grilling, smoking, tents, and large or staked umbrellas are not permitted.  Please leave pets at home and be mindful of your neighbors by refraining from smoking at this event.    

If groups or families are separated, an area for lost people will be located at the main stage and at the City Birthday information tent near the center of the park at the Mount Vernon Trail. 

How do I get to the City Birthday celebration?  

Visitors are encouraged to bike, walk, or take alternative public transit. For a list of garages and parking lots in the Old Town historic district, visit Where to Park in Old Town. Accessible parking will be located on the 500 block of N. Fairfax St.   

GO Alex will offer free bike, scooter, and stroller parking on Fairfax Street at the entrance of Wythe Street Park leading to Oronoco Bay Park.  

Where Else to View Fireworks 

• Canal Center Plaza (Center Canal Plaza)  
• Rivergate Park (2 Montgomery St.)  
• Founders Park (351 North Union St.)  
• Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.)  
• Point Lumley Park, (1 Duke St.)  
• Windmill Hill Park (501 South Union St.)  
• Jones Point Park (Jones Point Drive)  
• George Washington Masonic Temple (101 Callahan Drive)  

Schedule of Events 

• 6 p.m. Introduction by Master of Ceremonies, NBC4 Washington Reporter Molette Green, Opening Act music by Decades Band 
• 7:30 p.m. Town Crier announces Mayor Alyia Gaskins; poetry reading by Alexandria Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso; acknowledgements   
• 8 p.m. Distribution of birthday cupcakes by members of City Council  
• 8:30 p.m. Performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra  
• 9:30 p.m. Fireworks display, with ceremonial cannons by the Presidential Salute Battery 
• 9:45 p.m. Closing remarks  

This summer, Alexandria joins communities across the country in marking America 250, a once-in-a-generation commemoration of the United States' founding. Our July 11 birthday celebration reflects Alexandria's unique place in that story, as one of the nation's oldest cities and a community whose history is woven into the fabric of American history. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.  

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact SpecialEvents@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5590, Virginia Relay 711.