Market Square Is Fenced Off. Old Town's Holiday Season Is Heading to the River.

When the City of Alexandria lit the tree in Market Square on November 22, 2025, it announced that it would be the last tree lighting at the square in its current form, because renovations would begin in January 2026. This year the City's holiday page lists the Holiday Tree Lighting for Saturday, November 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Waterfront Park.

That move puts all three of Old Town's biggest public holiday gatherings on the riverbank this year: the tree lighting, the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and the New Year's Eve fireworks. The 300 block of King Street, where the season used to start, is now a construction site that you pass on your way to the water.

What Is Behind the Fence at 301 King Street

The project is bigger than a plaza refresh. According to The Zebra's September guide to the renovation, the work restores the 1871 City Hall, removes and replaces the 1960s infill addition, demolishes and rebuilds the two-level underground garage, and rebuilds the plaza on top. The new plaza is designed to improve accessibility, drainage, seating, shade and the infrastructure for events and markets.

The City's September construction update says Grunley Construction Company moved onto the site in late February. Crews found asbestos in places no one expected, including the 1960s south façade and the east and west interior courtyards, which added 10 weeks to the abatement work. The City now expects to finish in fall 2028. With abatement done, deconstruction of the 1960s infill was set to begin in September.

A fall 2028 finish means the square will still be closed for the 2027 holiday season too.

City Hall and the Market Square Garage are both closed for the duration, which takes the garage's 180 spaces out of Old Town's parking supply. Street parking and sidewalks next to the site are also affected, and fencing and pedestrian detours surround the block.

Three Dates, One Riverbank

The square is closed, so the City's signature holiday events now share a location. All three dates below come from the City's holiday page, which was last updated October 16.

Some traditions are coming along to the new spot. The City's event calendar says Santa will arrive on the King Street Trolley again, followed by the tree lighting and festive music, and admission is free. In 2025 the trolley brought Santa and Mrs. Claus up to the stage in front of City Hall. The City's event page still lists the location as "to be announced," so check back closer to November 21 for program details.

The City's design work is also focused on the river. ALXnow reported on October 6 that the City has unveiled a waterfront plan with a proposed 20-foot riverside walkway, brick paving on the unit and 100 blocks of King Street, and new promenades at Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park. These are proposals. If they are built, the park hosting this year's tree would get the kind of event-ready hardscape Market Square is being rebuilt to provide.

December 5 Runs From King Street to the Water

Visit Alexandria calls December 4 to 6 its Biggest Holiday Weekend, and both of its signature events fall on Saturday the 5th. The day starts in the streets of Old Town and ends at the river.

The 55th Annual Alexandria Scottish Walk Holiday Parade, sponsored by Wegmans, has a new organizer this year. The parade began more than 50 years ago to celebrate the city's Scottish heritage and support the Campagna Center. Visit Alexandria became lead producer in 2022, and according to Visit Alexandria's event page, the City of Alexandria took over that role in 2026. Questions about the parade now go to [email protected].

The two organizations list different hours. The City shows the parade from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while Visit Alexandria lists 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since the City is now producing the parade, its timing is the one to plan around, and it may be refined before December.

Here is how the day lays out on the official schedules:

1. Morning: clans in tartan, pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds, and community groups march through Old Town in the Scottish Walk.
2. 2 p.m.: dockside activities begin along the waterfront.
3. 5:30 p.m.: the 26th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, sponsored by Amazon, starts its run from Old Town North to Ford's Landing Park.
4. 8 p.m.: dockside activities and the parade window wrap up.

Last year both parades fell on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Their shared date isn't new. The difference this year is that the afternoon gathering point is now the riverbank.

The Blocks the Season Now Passes Through

When the holiday crowd heads to the water, the businesses ringed around City Hall lose one of the busiest weekends of their year. In ALXnow's September 9 report, businesses within a block of 301 King described the effects of the closed sidewalks, lost parking and constant construction noise. Staff at Today's Cargo, at 117 N. Fairfax Street, said the store was having an unusually slow summer.

Next door, Carlyle House Historic Park has seen the same effect. NOVA Parks Executive Director Justin Wilson told ALXnow, "We have definitely seen impacts due to the moving of the farmer's market, the loss of street parking, the loss of the parking garage and just general challenges with foot traffic."

The City has convened an interdepartmental task force that will meet monthly. Its recommendations include partnering with nearby garages on parking subsidies or validation, a video series featuring businesses next to City Hall, and earlier notice of City events and seasonal activities. The shift in the holiday calendar is exactly the kind of change those businesses need to hear about early.

The construction has also changed the walking routes, and that works in some shops' favor. The Old Town Farmers' Market now sets up in the Tavern Square courtyard and on the 100 block of North Royal Street between King and Cameron streets. That same block is where ALXnow reported Bricks & Minifigs was expected to open a 2,400-square-foot LEGO resale shop at 110 N. Royal Street in early October, with a grand-opening celebration planned for November. If you are shopping for holiday gifts on a market Saturday, the stalls and that storefront are now steps apart.

A block up King Street from the construction, Twosome Place scheduled the grand opening of its first U.S. café at 404 King Street for October 17. ALXnow described the menu as Korean-style drinks and all-day food alongside coffee and cake. It sits on King Street between the King Street-Old Town Metro station and the river, so it is an easy warm-up stop on a cold tree-lighting evening.

Getting to the Water Without the Garage

The 180 garage spaces under Market Square are gone, so getting to the river takes more planning. The City says parking in Old Town is limited during the renovation and suggests DASH, the King Street Trolley, Metrorail, walking or biking instead. Last year the City described the route in detail: take the Blue or Yellow line to King Street-Old Town, then ride the free King Street Trolley east.

For market mornings, Visit Alexandria notes that visitors can park free at the Tavern Square and Courthouse Square garages during market hours. That free parking applies only during market hours. It does not extend to the evening events on November 21 or December 5. The City's Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 is the number to call as those dates get closer.

The rebuilt Market Square is due in fall 2028, and the blocks around 301 King Street will be a different place once the plaza, garage and City Hall reopen. If you own near the project, or are deciding when to list a home in Old Town's core, Infinity Group can walk you through how the renovation timeline may affect your plans. Request a Private Market Consultation.