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Alexandria’s February 2025 calendar is crowded with live music, theater, art, dining specials, gardening programs and Valentine’s events. A major highlight arrives Feb. 15, when thousands are expected in Old Town for the George Washington Birthday Parade.

Ongoing events and exhibitions

Ice & Lights at Cameron Run offers daytime ice skating on weekends and holidays through Feb. 23.

“Eclipse: An Athenaeum Sculpture Invitational” runs through Feb. 23 at The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Curated by Alison Sigethy, the exhibition pairs sculptures by different artists to explore light and shadow, liminal spaces and the passage of time. An artist talk is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 23.

Alexandria Restaurant Week continues through Feb. 9. Nearly 100 restaurants are offering $30, $40 or $50 prix-fixe dinners for one, along with specials from fast-casual restaurants.

“MeWOW: Fabulous Felines” runs from Feb. 7 through March 1 at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. The cat-inspired exhibition opens with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 7. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and noon to 9 p.m. Fridays.

“Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” runs from Feb. 8 through March 1 at the Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. The musical follows gifted young reader Matilda Wormwood as she joins her friends and teacher, Miss Honey, in standing up to the fearsome headmistress known as the Trunchbull.

Saturday, Feb. 8

“Spice It Up with Herb Gardening” runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Extension Master Gardeners will explain how adults and participants ages 16 and older can plan, plant and harvest herbs in gardens or containers. Admission is $12, and the registration code is A4P.W62F.

“Starting from Scratch with Seeds” takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Green Spring Gardens. Staff members will discuss potting mixes, containers, seed treatments, lighting, fertilizer, watering, timing and seed sources. Participants ages 16 and older will receive several seeds to take home. Admission is $23, and the registration code is J1V.KQFD.

Sunday, Feb. 9

“Grand Romantic Gestures” runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. The adults-only program examines extraordinary expressions of love throughout history. Admission is $40 for the lecture and tea or $18 for the lecture alone.

Researcher Jordan Thompson will discuss how invasive Asian jumping worms affect soil structure, nutrient cycling and plant growth during “Gardens in the Age of Jumping Worms,” scheduled from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. The program, for adults and participants ages 16 and older, will also offer practical steps for protecting gardens. Admission is $15, and the registration code is KØ7.9K57.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Vola’s Dockside Grill & Hi-Tide Lounge, 101 N. Union St., will hold an interactive cocktail-making class at 6 p.m. Guests can prepare two signature cocktails and sample appetizers. The price is $60 per person, plus tax, with the service charge included. Space is limited, and reservations are recommended.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Palette 22 VA, 4053 Campbell Ave. in Arlington, will hold a Galentine’s Art & Sip celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Instructor Jill Welch will teach guests how to make long-lasting paper flowers. Participants will leave with at least one completed flower, plus materials and skills to make a three- to five-flower bouquet at home. No previous crafting experience is required. Admission is $65, plus tax.

Thursday, Feb. 13

Romance author Robin Covington and mystery writer John Adam Wasowicz will appear for “Romance & Mystery Night” at 6 p.m. at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen St. Covington will discuss “Daring the Player,” a prequel novella to her new sports-romance series. Wasowicz will discuss “Spite House,” the seventh installment in the “Old Town Loves Mystery” series.

Friday, Feb. 14

Barca Pier & Wine Bar, 2 Pioneer Mill Way, will host a Valentine’s Day wine tasting with Ardi Staka from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The $90-per-person experience, excluding tax, includes a welcome drink and a multicourse tasting with food pairings. Staka will also discuss the grapes and regions represented by the featured wines. Guests may remain for dinner after the tasting.

Saturday, Feb. 15

The free “History & Mystery” program begins at 4:15 p.m. at the Heron Hotel, at Washington and Prince streets. The discussion will focus on George Washington’s role as America’s first spymaster-in-chief and his use of espionage during the War for Independence. Speakers include Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker, retired civilian U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army historian Kathy Shenkle, Brendan O’Neil and “Spite House” author John Wasowicz. Signed books will be available, with 20% of proceeds going to a local nonprofit educational organization. Hot chocolate will be served.

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m. at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. James Ross will conduct and appear as horn soloist, while Lee Hinkle will perform on marimba. The program includes Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 2, Kevin Puts’ Marimba Concerto and Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great C Major.”

A hand-bound watercolor journal workshop runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Mani Maree will teach participants ages 16 and older to sew paper signatures together, create a cover and add details to the interior pages. Admission is $107, and the registration code is Y1S.QTNQ.

The George Washington Birthday Parade will fill Old Town from 2 to 4 p.m., beginning near 300 King St. The theme, “George Washington: America’s Commander-in-Chief,” recognizes the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War’s start and the founding of the United States Army. Lt. Gen. Heidi J. Hoyle, the Army’s deputy chief of staff, will serve as grand marshal. The procession will include drum corps, color guards, bands, youth and community groups, merchants, city officials and portrayals of George and Martha Washington.

Sunday, Feb. 16

Mark Weathington, director of the JC Raulston Arboretum, will lead “Rethinking the Invasive Plant Issue” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. The program will examine definitions of native and invasive plants and consider where communities should concentrate their resources. Admission is $15 for adults and participants ages 16 and older. The registration code is PSO.QN87.

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will repeat its Mozart, Puts and Schubert program at 3 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. James Ross will conduct and perform as horn soloist, joined by marimba soloist Lee Hinkle.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

Senior Services of Alexandria and At Home in Alexandria will present “Strategies for Addressing Solo Aging, Social Isolation, and Mental Health for Seniors” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Speakers Steve Gurney of the Positive Aging Community and Rhonda Williams, supervisor of Alexandria’s Older Adult Clinical Services Team, will discuss community connections, support networks and local resources for older adults. The event is free, but an RSVP is requested by calling 703-836-4414, extension 110.

Friday, Feb. 21

The Thirteen will perform “To the Field of Stars” at 7:30 p.m. at Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary, 3651 Deanery Drive. Inspired by the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the program features David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “the little match girl passion” and Gabriel Jackson’s 2011 work “To the Field of Stars.”

February at The Birchmere

The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., has a full February concert calendar. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

  • Feb. 6: Karyn White, $49.50
  • Feb. 7: Yasmin Williams’ “Acadia Tour,” with Amadou Kouyate, $29.50
  • Feb. 8: Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, $39.50
  • Feb. 11: Mdou Moctar, presenting a special acoustic performance with Janel Leppin, $35
  • Feb. 13: “Infamous Love Songs: An Over the Rhine Valentine’s Concert,” $39.50
  • Feb. 14 and 15: Valentine’s Day with Kevin Ross, $65
  • Feb. 16: “Daryl Davis Presents: Thanks for the Memories 2024!” $39.50
  • Feb. 19: Billy F. Gibbons, $89.50, sold out
  • Feb. 20: Drew Lynch, $45
  • Feb. 21: Gary Gulman’s “Misfit Stand Up Tour,” $59.50, sold out
  • Feb. 22: Newmyer Flyer Presents “Laurel Canyon,” $39.50, sold out
  • Feb. 23: Chayce Beckham, $29.50
  • Feb. 28: Aaron Watson’s “Buy the World a Round Tour 2025,” $35