A series of historical and cultural events are scheduled in Alexandria from January 19 to February 15, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to engage the community with the city’s past and celebrate upcoming milestones.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum will host “Tavern Games Night: Bicentennial Mania” on January 23. The event is designed to mark the start of the year-long celebration for America’s 250th anniversary. It features a themed presentation and pub trivia, continuing the museum’s quarterly game night series.
The official kickoff for Alexandria’s America250 commemoration has been postponed and will now take place at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. The event includes guest speakers discussing America’s 250th anniversary and Virginia’s contribution to national history. Attendees can preview planned exhibitions and programs for 2026. Registration is available online.
Several other events highlight local history and heritage. A preservation panel on January 24 at Carlyle House Historic Park examines restoration work done fifty years ago on this historic building, with original team members sharing their experiences.
From January 25 through February 18, local restaurants will participate in the “Cherry Challenge,” creating cherry-themed dishes in honor of George Washington as part of his birthday celebration month. Details about participating restaurants can be found at washingtonbirthday.com/2026-cherry-challenge.
On January 28, a virtual program hosted by the Alexandria Historical Society focuses on women in Virginia during the American Revolution, aiming to correct historical records by highlighting their roles both with the Continental Army and in political life at home.
Fort Ward Museum offers a specialty tour on Civil War medicine on January 31, exploring medical practices during that era with artifacts not usually displayed to visitors.
Beginning February 1, student artwork honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy will be exhibited at Charles Houston Recreation Center. This annual event showcases posters from Alexandria City Public School students in grades two through five under this year’s theme “Dreaming Together: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future.”
Other events include lectures about Civil War prisons in Alexandria (February 1), walking tours of lost buildings (February 7), Hamilton-inspired discussions (February 7), book-themed fundraising dinners (February 7), concerts celebrating African American music (February 8), chocolate tastings (February 13), and more.
The George Washington Birthday Parade—the oldest and largest such parade in the country—will be held on February 14 along Old Town streets. Volunteers are being sought for parade day activities; more information is available via email or online registration.
Additional offerings include a period-inspired dinner honoring Washington’s birthnight (February 14) at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and a Madeira wine tasting event focused on early American seaports (February 15).
Historic Alexandria encourages donations to support educational programs, conservation efforts, and staff operations across its museums. Residents receive complimentary admission to city museums; details about hours are listed for each location.
A new initiative called the Virginia 250 Passport invites families to visit historic sites statewide—including several Alexandria museums—with incentives like prizes and discounts beginning November 11, 2025. More information is available at VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport.
Recent exhibits include “Disease and the Apothecary,” which looks at how epidemics shaped local history through public health measures; admission is free for residents. Fort Ward Museum also hosts an exhibition about Union Navy sailors during the Civil War as part of recognizing America’s naval heritage.
To help visitors navigate between sites easily, Historic Alexandria has introduced a mobility guide connecting all city museums via walking, biking, or transit routes; it doubles as a passport that rewards visits with prizes.
Commissions supporting Historic Alexandria have scheduled meetings throughout late January and February covering topics such as resources management, archaeology, public records advisory matters, sister city relationships, restoration efforts, and preservation planning.
