Tree Lighting Ceremony

The annual Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony will be Saturday, November 18, at 6 p.m. in Market Square (301 King St.). Admission is free, and the event will occur rain or shine.

The Town Crier will call everyone to gather around the tree to help countdown to the lighting. Then, after 7pm enjoy a singalong at the tree while Santa and Mrs. Claus walk the Square and visit with families until 8 p.m. 

The public is encouraged to take public transit or walk to the event. Visitors to Old Town can take Metrorail’s Blue or Yellow lines to the King Street-Old Town Station and then take the free King Street Trolley to the event in front of City Hall. 

Flood Insurance Policy Discount Available for Residents

The City of Alexandria’s flood mitigation efforts received a Class 6 rating from the National Flood Insurance Community Rating System (CRS), securing a discount on flood insurance policies for City residents.

The rating, recertified annually, entitles property owners in designated Special Flood Hazard Areas of Alexandria to receive up to a 20% discount on flood insurance policies. The rating is based on a variety of flood mitigation efforts and outreach activities conducted by the City.

The CRS program is a voluntary federal floodplain management incentive program that recognizes flood management practices that exceed federal minimum requirements, as well as education, resident assistance and outreach, and disaster preparedness.

There are 1,343 flood insurance policies in Alexandria, according to City data as of April 30, 2023. Residents are encouraged to contact policy providers for more information.

Alexandria became the first community in Virginia to receive a Class 6 CRS rating in October 2013. To renew its certification through the CRS program every five years, the City conducts inspections of streams and routine dredging of flood channels, among other flood mitigation activities and programs.

Earlier this year, engineers from the Stormwater Management Division inspected 24.8 miles of local streams as part of the CRS program application. During the inspections, engineers examined the stream’s ability to convey water properly and scheduled work for issues that need to be corrected, such as potential blockages or severe erosion.

Virginia Cider Week 

Celebrate Virginia Cider Week Nov. 10 – 19 with a special tasting festival at historic Lloyd House on Saturday, Nov. 18 between 1 and 5 p.m. Hosted by the Office of Historic Alexandria in partnership with the Virginia Association of Cider Makers, this event includes cider tastings, live music, a tasting glass, and a little history too. While enjoying a selection of Virginia ciders, learn more about the growing Virginia cider industry and its connection to Alexandria history. The Alexandria Cider Festival includes offerings from Albemarle Cider Works, Bryant’s Cider, Castle Hill, Ciders from Mars, Henway Hard Cider, Lost Boy Cider, Potter’s Craft Cider, Sage Bird Ciderworks, and more. Rocklands food truck will be available for food purchases.

Cider was a popular beverage in 18th and early 19th century Alexandria and offered at area taverns, including Gadsby’s Tavern.  Thomas Jefferson cultivated eighteen varieties of apples in his orchard at Monticello (planted between 1769 and 1814). Today, there are over 30 different apple varieties grown specifically for cider production throughout Virginia. Cider is fermented like wine, not brewed like beer. Tickets are $55 per person (advance sale pricing) and may be purchased by calling 703.746.4994 or through alexandriava.gov/Shop. Check in at The Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street. Day-of ticket pricing is $65 per person (if space is available).  For additional information, please visit Alexandriava.gov/historic.

Bark Social Acquires Barkhaus in Alexandria

Bark Social, the country's first social club for dogs and dog lovers, has acquired Barkhaus in Alexandria, Va. This makes Bark Social the first company in the industry to acquire another dog bar. The 6,000-square-foot Barkhaus facility will become Bark Social’s fourth location – along with Bethesda, Md., Baltimore, Md., and Philadelphia, Penna. Barkhaus will continue to serve dogs and dog lovers, with an off leash dog park, a bar and a full kitchen. New leadership will bring freshly-trained Bark Rangers to keep dogs safe, a full calendar of social events, a full bar (adding liquor to the existing offerings), and a new boutique featuring both dog and human goods.

“We’re thrilled to bring Bark Social to Alexandria and build upon the community that Barkhaus has built there,” said Luke Silverman, co-founder and CEO of Bark Social. “As more dog lovers look for fun and safe places to bring their dogs, we are eager to meet the demand with our new locations.”

Barkhaus opened in the fall of 2020 by Alex Benbassat and Justin LeGores. Benbassat will stay on as an operating partner at Bark Social, and continue to lead the Alexandria team.