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 October 14, 2026 at 10:42 AM
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2026 Alexandria Scottish Walk Holiday Parade

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: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Old Town Alexandria. New Route Information Coming Soon!

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 More Information

Additional information about the 2026 Scottish Holiday Walk Parade and Holiday Boat Parade will be announced in the coming weeks.

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