This holiday season, make your shopping experience memorable and worry-free in Alexandria, the DC region’s Shop Small destination for independent boutiques. You can opt small and shop a local experience in a magical setting of holiday wonder all season long.
Alexandria’s Small Business Saturday is bigger than ever this year, with new surprises and activities on November 25, 2017. The weekend includes an alternative Black Friday experience on November 24 with deals from more than 50 independently owned boutiques plus surprises and giveaways. The fun continues with a new international event in 2017, the first-ever Museum Store Sunday at ten Alexandria museum stores on November 26.
Small Business Saturday in Alexandria
NEW! Free Parking, Santa Stroll, Postcard Pop-up, and More
Small Business Saturday is bigger than ever in the D.C. region’s Shop Small headquarters, where more than 50 independently owned boutiques in Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray will offer special in-store activities.
New this year, shoppers will be treated to free parking at parking meters, a Santa Stroll on King Street, a postcard pop-up from new paper goods boutique Penny Post, plus live music, shopping and activities at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Don’t miss surprise giveaways from the Elf Prize Patrol and holiday caroling from the Alexandria Singers. Join the Santa Stroll at 11 a.m. and follow the region’s most beloved Santa as he plays the bagpipes and spreads holiday cheer as he walks with families up King Street to Hooray for Books! where he will pose for photos from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (reservation required for photos). Small Business Saturday in Alexandria is a partnership of Visit Alexandria, the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Small Business Development Center, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, the Old Town Boutique District and the Del Ray Business Association.
Museum Store Sunday
NEW! First-ever Event Features 10 Historic Alexandria Museum Shops
Visit your favorite historic Alexandria museums for the first-ever Museum Store Sunday, the day after Small Business Saturday, for unique and historically inspired gifts with special offers, seasonal refreshments and more. Ten participating museum stores include George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum, Friendship Firehouse and the Alexandria Black History Museum. The museums of historic Alexandria are pleased to participate in this international campaign led by the Museum Store Association.
Black Friday Alexandria
Alternative Black Friday Experience in DC Region’s Shop Small Headquarters
Alexandria’s alternative Black Friday experience features more than 50 independent boutiques kicking off the holiday shopping season with one-of-a-kind deals on designer and coveted merchandise, including home décor, chic fashions, gourmet food, classic toys and gifts for dogs. Store offers vary, with special discounts throughout the day and 10 boutiques opening at 6 a.m., including Pacers Running, fibre space, The Shoe Hive and Hooray for Books!
After the shopping is done, stay for the popular City of Alexandria Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. on historic Market Square. As the official kick-off to the holiday season in Alexandria, the ceremony includes live entertainment, a special visit from Santa Claus, and community caroling.
Boutique Experience in a Nostalgic Holiday Setting
During the holidays, historic Old Town Alexandria is transformed into a nostalgic winter wonderland. Named one of America’s Top Holiday Towns by USA Today and a Top 10 Christmas Town by HGTV, strolling historic King Street is like being in a real-life Dickens Village, complete with European flair, cozy cafes and chef-driven restaurants to warm up in. Twinkle-lit trees shine above brick-lined streets and at the city’s historic waterfront as old fashioned holiday traditions fill the air with holiday cheer. Meet the makers and small business shakers at dozens of independent boutiques that welcome you with greenery at their doorsteps, offering everything from chic fashions and home décor to classic toys and gifts for dogs. With 80% of Alexandria boutiques and restaurants being independently owned, it is easy to get expert advice and products curated by local owners who are often on site.
Find out more about shopping small in Alexandria here.
To keep up-to-date on what’s hot and what’s happening in Alexandria, stay tuned to the Extra Alex blog, brought to you by Visit Alexandria.
Header image credit: R. Kennedy for Visit Alexandria.
