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Alexandria’s winter calendar brings ice skating, art exhibits, live performances, shopping, dining and major community events to venues across the city through early March 2025.
Ice & Lights at Cameron Run offers daytime ice skating on weekends and holidays through Feb. 23.
The “Visual Humor” exhibit runs through Feb. 1 at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. The lighthearted show explores the connection between humor and imagination. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Alexandria Restaurant Week returns Jan. 31 through Feb. 9. Nearly 100 restaurants will participate during the 10-day event, offering prix fixe dinners for one at $30, $40 or $50, along with specials from fast-casual businesses.
On Feb. 1, Alexandria City High School will host Erg Sprints, described as the country’s largest and longest-running indoor rowing championship. Approximately 1,500 athletes will compete on 140 rowing machines inside the school gym from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. First held in 1986, the event has drawn competitors ranging from younger than 10 to older than 80, including leading high school, club and collegiate rowers.
The 21st annual Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale takes over Old Town on Feb. 1 and 2. More than 40 independent businesses from Alexandria and the surrounding region will offer deals on clothing, shoes, jewelry, home furnishings and other merchandise. Shopping will be spread among stores, pop-up tents, open retail spaces and select side streets near King Street. A sale map will be released during the week of the event, with QR-code stations available at participating locations.
“MeWOW: Fabulous Felines” opens Feb. 7 at Del Ray Artisans Gallery and continues through March 1. The cat-centered art exhibition begins with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
“Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” runs 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 story follows the brilliant, book-loving Matilda Wormwood as she joins her friends and teacher, Miss Honey, to confront the fearsome headmistress known as the Trunchbull.
Thousands of spectators are expected in Old Town for the George Washington Birthday Parade from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 15 near 300 King St. The theme, “George Washington: America’s Commander-in-Chief,” marks the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolutionary War 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 bands, drum corps, color guards, community organizations, youth groups, merchants, city dignitaries and portrayals of George and Martha Washington.
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and again at 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Conductor and horn soloist James Ross and marimba player Lee Hinkle will present Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 2, Kevin Puts’ Marimba Concerto and Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great C Major.”
On Feb. 21, The Thirteen presents “To the Field of Stars” at 7:30 p.m. in Immanuel Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary, 3651 Deanery Drive. Inspired by the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the program pairs David Lang’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “the little match girl passion” with Gabriel Jackson’s 2011 work “To the Field of Stars.”
At the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Will Downing is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Tickets are $79.50.