The City of Alexandria has told residents what to expect at 301 King Street this fall. A high-reach demolition excavator is working on the Plaza and taking down the 1960s infill section of City Hall one chunk at a time. Trucks haul debris along an approved route, and fencing and pedestrian detours remain around the whole site. This is the same square where the City lit its holiday tree in front of City Hall as recently as 2024, as ALXnow reported that November.

This year the tree goes up by the river. Moving it changes more than one event. With Market Square out of service, Waterfront Park at 1 Prince Street is listed as the site of every evening event the City produces this season, and the Saturday market now runs on Royal Street. Old Town's December still happens in familiar places, but in a different order.

What the Fence at 301 King Is Holding Back

The renovation has two parts. According to the City's project page, the Market Square plaza and the garage beneath it need major structural repairs, and City Hall needs building-systems upgrades. The plan keeps and restores the historic 1871 City Hall and removes the 1960s addition that was built onto it.

The schedule has already slipped once. In the City's construction update, Grunley Construction Company moved onto the site in late February. Crews then found asbestos nobody had expected in the 1960s south façade and in the east and west interior courtyards, which added 10 weeks to the timeline. The City now expects completion in Fall 2028. Crews have also been installing a temporary pile system around the underground Market Square garage before that garage is taken apart.

With a Fall 2028 finish expected, the fence stays up through this holiday season and at least one more, and the arrangements below are likely to apply next year as well.

Three Evenings on the Same Lawn

The City's own holiday listing names Waterfront Park as the venue for the tree lighting and the New Year's Eve fireworks, and Visit Alexandria places the boat parade's dockside activities there too. The tree lighting's calendar entry calls Waterfront Park its "New 2026 location."

The tree lighting is free and open to all ages. The City promises festive music and a visit from Santa Claus. In past years the tree stood in front of City Hall. At 1 Prince Street it stands on the Potomac waterfront, on the same ground that hosts the boat parade's daytime festivities two weeks later.

That puts the tree on the same stretch of shoreline as the boat parade. Visit Alexandria bills the 26th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights as dozens of lit boats cruising one mile of the Potomac shoreline. Its 2026 page lists dockside festivities in Waterfront Park with a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, plus food and activities. The City says public viewing information, participating-boat details and the final schedule will be posted soon. Visit Alexandria's boat-parade page still links road-closure information from last year's parade, which falls on a different date than this year's. The City's Holiday Parades page says more details on both parades will come in the next few weeks.

December 5 Runs From the Parade Route to the River

The tree lighting moved because of the construction. The Scottish Walk changed producers, and the City gave its own reason. The parade started more than 50 years ago to support the Campagna Center, then known as the Community Y. For decades it was produced with St. Andrew's Society Washington, DC, Old Presbyterian Meeting House and the City. Visit Alexandria says it took over as lead producer in 2022 to keep the event going. For 2026 the City is lead producer, with support from the Campagna Center and Visit Alexandria, and the City says the goal is to make the parade "an ongoing source of civic pride and celebration of Alexandria and its communities."

The City's account says the Christmas Walk began in the 1960s. The 1969 Walk included a Swedish element honoring Helsingborg, Alexandria's other sister city, with a Lucia Queen of Light crowned that year. The event first took a Scottish theme in 1970. In 1971 the Y merged it with the St. Andrew's Society's celebration, and the Walk became a fully Scottish affair honoring the city's Scottish heritage and its namesake, the Scottish merchant John Alexander.

With the City producing both parades, the first weekend of December runs as one long day. Visit Alexandria calls Dec. 4 to 6 the city's biggest holiday weekend. Here is the order of events:

1. Friday, Dec. 4, 6:30 to 10 p.m. The Campagna Center holds its Taste of Scotland fundraiser at Above ALX Community Penthouse + Atrium Gallery, 277 S. Washington St.
2. Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. The 55th Annual Alexandria Scottish Walk Holiday Parade, sponsored by Wegmans, steps off on King, Royal and Fairfax streets.
3. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Dockside activities open at Waterfront Park.
4. Saturday, Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. The boat parade begins its run from Old Town North to Ford's Landing Park, with dockside activities continuing until 8 p.m.

One detail on timing. The parade's City calendar entry says it ends at noon, while the City's holiday pages say 12:30 p.m. Either way, the morning parade ends hours before the waterfront activities begin, and the walk from the parade route to the river is short.

The Saturday Market Moved to Royal Street

The Old Town Farmers' Market used to set up on Market Square, and its relocation changes the most ordinary Saturdays of the season. The City says the market now runs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon on the 100 block of North Royal Street and in the Tavern Square courtyard, and will stay there for the length of the renovation. ALXnow reported last November that the market planned to keep its Saturday hours and to return to Market Square once construction ends.

That gives Nov. 21 a full shape. The market is on Royal Street in the morning, and the tree lighting is at the river that evening. On Dec. 5, the market runs on Royal during the same hours as the parade, which uses Royal as part of its route. Both are listed for that Saturday morning.

Lower King Gains New Places Between the Market and the Water

Several new businesses are opening on the blocks between the market and the river.

Twosome Place, 404 King St. This is the first U.S. café for the brand, and The Zebra reported that its grand opening celebration was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Seven Teahouse, 101 S. Royal St. ALXnow reported on Oct. 20 that the space was under construction, with window signs promising a fall opening. No date has been announced.

Cana Café, 100 S. Union St. This storefront sits at the corner of King and Union. The Alexandria Brief reported that the café plans to open in the former Starbucks space in December 2026, "subject to construction completion." It will serve coffee and pastries, and the owner is seeking a state license to sell alcohol.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is also on the waterfront. It is running its "Give the Gift of Art" holiday promotion from Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 1, 2027, so the art center's holiday season covers both the tree lighting and the fireworks. If Cana Café opens on schedule, the corner of King and Union will get a new coffee stop sometime in December.

Getting to the River This Season

The City's holiday guidance is direct. Parking in Old Town is limited during the City Hall and Market Square renovation, and the City suggests taking DASH, the King Street Trolley, Metrorail, walking, biking or another car-light option. It also asks visitors to check its Getting Around page before each event. The garage under Market Square is part of the renovation site.

The season's last event is at the river as well. On Thursday, Dec. 31, the fireworks go off at 8 p.m. and again at midnight over Waterfront Park.

Owning a home near lower King Street over the next few years means living alongside the City Hall timeline, the market's temporary site and a waterfront that now hosts more of the season. The team at Jonathan Taylor Group follows these changes block by block for Old Town clients thinking about when to sell or buy. If your plans depend on the City Hall timeline, Request a Private Consultation.