Holiday Parades

The City of Alexandria is hosting the Alexandria Scottish Walk Holiday Parade and Boat Parade starting in 2026! Learn more about the events below.
Page updated on November 5, 2026 at 9:46 AM
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Now Open: Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Application (Deadline Nov. 13)

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2026 Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, held in Alexandria, VA, on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Before submitting an application, please read the 2026 Participant Release carefully, as policies may have changed. All vessels must apply to participate and adhere to safety requirements and conditions of participation.

The City of Alexandria welcomes applications from boat owners and captains interested in celebrating the holiday season on the Potomac River. Applicants should describe how their proposed vessel entry will contribute to the parade’s holiday theme through lighting, decorations, music, or other identifiable elements.

Space is limited. Submission of an application does not constitute acceptance. Applicants will receive written notification of their selection status.

Eligibility and selection will be based on the proposed vessel entry and its compliance with the published requirements. An organization’s mission, identity, or affiliation will not, by itself, determine eligibility or selection.

Selected participants must comply with the parade’s approved theme, rules, vessel safety requirements, staging and navigation instructions, and conditions of participation. Participants may not promote political activity or engage in advocacy efforts. Material changes to an approved entry must be submitted to the City for review.

Read the Release      Submit Your Application

REGISTRATION DETAILS

2026 Registration Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2026

Register early! The number of participants in the Boat Parade is limited and fills up before the deadline.

Registered boaters agree to:

  • Attend the Alexandria Captain's Safety Meeting on Wednesday, December 2 at 7 p.m. (this will be a virtual meeting)
  • Pick up your parade number sign after confirmation at the Torpedo Factory Art Center Info desk and securely display it on your boat so that the judges may consider you for prizes
  • Decorate your boat with a festive theme in lights
  • Refrain from using decorations, signs, symbols/icons, music or announcements that include political
  • Arrive at the designated time in the assembly area (to be announced)

This registration process ONLY confirms Alexandria participation. To participate in the District's Holiday Boat Parade, register directly with The Wharf.

A POTOMAC RIVER TRADITION

The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is one of two boat parades along the Potomac River on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Following the Alexandria parade, the District’s Holiday Boat Parade occurs the same evening at 7 p.m. Boaters are encouraged to participate and register for both parades for a chance to win thousands more in prizes while dazzling crowds of parade-goers along both sides of the river. To participate in the District's Holiday Boat Parade, register directly with The Wharf.

MORE INFORMATION

We look forward to working with you on one of the region’s most beloved holiday events!

2026 Alexandria Scottish Walk Holiday Parade sponsored by Wegmans

Alexandria Scottish Walk Holiday Parade Sponsored by Wegmans

The Alexandria Scottish Walk Holiday Parade started as a community event more than 50 years ago to highlight the city’s Scottish heritage and support the mission of the Campagna Center, then known as the Community Y. The Campagna Center partnered with St. Andrew’s Society Washington, DC, Old Presbyterian Meeting House and the City of Alexandria to produce the parade and associated events led by Junior and Supporting Friends of the Campagna Center.  

In 2026, to elevate this signature event as an ongoing source of civic pride and celebration of Alexandria and its communities, the City of Alexandria took on the role of lead parade producer, with additional support by the Campagna Center and Visit Alexandria.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Location: Old Town Alexandria

dog looking straight ahead in crosswalk
two men in scottish garb wave to the crowd
one man in background dressed in formal uniform with badges on his chest, one man blurred in foreground looking the opposite direction
two men walking in parade one in a grey sweater waving to the camera
honor guard of 6 people carrying four flags
town crier on stage with a scroll surrounded by two people, one on the left sitting and one on the right standing
one man with large drum and two men in background playing smaller drums
two women in elaborate dresses in hats walking in the parade holding a banner that says the Auld Alliance
group in scottish garb playing bagpipes
parade volunteers in high visibility vests handing out fans
three men with instruments dressed in scottish garb
Two Dogs in a decorated wagon surrounded by pillows
cheerleaders with pom poms waving to the crowd
kid in silver vest and headband waving to the crowd
scottish terrier on leash in red plaid sweater
three men hold flags in front of them walking in parade
parade float with green nutcracker surrounded by eight parade volunteers
group of six people walking in the parade with red shirts on and a banner
grey great danes being walked on leashes in parade
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Grid View Close Modal
dog looking straight ahead in crosswalk
two men in scottish garb wave to the crowd
one man in background dressed in formal uniform with badges on his chest, one man blurred in foreground looking the opposite direction
two men walking in parade one in a grey sweater waving to the camera
honor guard of 6 people carrying four flags
town crier on stage with a scroll surrounded by two people, one on the left sitting and one on the right standing
one man with large drum and two men in background playing smaller drums
two women in elaborate dresses in hats walking in the parade holding a banner that says the Auld Alliance
group in scottish garb playing bagpipes
parade volunteers in high visibility vests handing out fans
three men with instruments dressed in scottish garb
Two Dogs in a decorated wagon surrounded by pillows
cheerleaders with pom poms waving to the crowd
kid in silver vest and headband waving to the crowd
scottish terrier on leash in red plaid sweater
three men hold flags in front of them walking in parade
parade float with green nutcracker surrounded by eight parade volunteers
group of six people walking in the parade with red shirts on and a banner
grey great danes being walked on leashes in parade

History of the Holiday Parade

  • The Scottish Christmas Walk is one of only five state-wide events documented in the Library of Congress Bicentennial Local Legacies Project by U.S. Senator John. W. Warner. 
  • The parade was created to thank the City of Alexandria for its support of the Y.W.C.A. (one of Campagna’s former names; read more on the Campagna Center's history page.) 
  • In 1986, the Walk’s bulletin spells out its celebratory purpose: “Our Scottish Christmas Walk is a gift from the members of the Alexandria Community Y to the City of Alexandria. It is our celebration of this special city. It is our celebration of caring and concern for our neighbors. It is a neighborhood celebration of programs which serve the needs of women and their families of Alexandria.” 
  • Before it was Scottish, it existed as a Christmas Walk dating back to the 60s. 
  • Early walks, including the 1969 Christmas Walk, had a Swedish element, a call back to Alexandria’s other sister city, Helsingborg, Sweden. In 1969, Swedish elements included the crowning of Lucia Queen of Light, as well as a display of ceramics from Sweden and a Christmas tree decorated with Swedish trimmings in the lobby of City Hall in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy.   
  • The first time the Walk took a Scottish theme was in 1970, but in 1971, the Y.W.C.A merged the event with the St. Andrew’s Society’s celebration, and it became a truly Scottish affair to honor the City of Alexandria’s Scottish heritage and namesake, Scottish merchant and ship owner, John Alexander. 
  • The second annual Scottish Christmas Walk in 1972 “netted $12,000 for the Y’s work in the community” according to a 1973 Alexandria Journal article.  
  • British Ambassadors were regularly connected to the festivities. In 1973, the British Ambassador Rowland Baring, the 3rd Earl of Cromer, and Lady Cromer sponsored the Walk, and in the 1980s, British Ambassador Sir Oliver and Lady Wright were involved.  
  • In 2007, organizers of the weekend advertised that 125 groups and 2,500 individuals participated in the event. 

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026

Time: Parade starts at 5:30 p.m., Dockside festivities 2 to 8 p.m.

Location: Old Town Alexandria Waterfront

Illuminated boats will cruise along the Potomac River waterfront as part of Alexandria’s annual holiday celebration. Public viewing information, participating-boat details, and the final event schedule will be posted shortly.

For questions or additional information about the Holiday Parades, please contact the City of Alexandria at specialevents@alexandriava.gov.