August is hitting its stride in Old Town Alexandria, and this weekend — August 6–9, 2026 — the neighborhood is serving up everything that makes summer here so special: live music spilling out of a park, farmers hauling the season's best produce to market, cool breezes off the Potomac, and a dining scene that never really takes a day off. Whether you're a longtime local or visiting King Street for the first time, here's your curated rundown of the best ways to spend the next three days.
Festivals & Markets
Beats, Bites & Brews at John Carlyle Square Park
- What: One of the Carlyle neighborhood's most beloved summer traditions is back. Beats, Bites & Brews transforms John Carlyle Square Park into a full-on outdoor festival with live music across the day, a curated lineup of local food vendors, a proper beer garden, and local art and craft makers set up throughout the park. Think of it as the perfect excuse to pack a picnic blanket and linger for hours.
- Where: John Carlyle Square Park, Carlyle neighborhood, Alexandria
- When: Saturday, August 1 was the official date per The Carlyle Council — the event has already taken place, but if you missed it, keep an eye on the Carlyle Community calendar for the fall edition, which organizers describe as being on par with the Springtime Alexandria Old Town Art Festival. Confirm future dates at thecarlylecommunity.com.
Old Town North Farmers' Market
- What: A neighborhood-scale farmers' market with a relaxed, community feel — great for picking up fresh summer produce, local honey, baked goods, and a morning coffee while you ease into Saturday.
- Where: Old Town North neighborhood, Alexandria
- When: Saturday, August 6 — confirm exact hours and location with the market before you head out.
Saturday Old Town Farmers' Market — A Permanent Weekend Anchor
- What: Rain or shine, every single Saturday morning, the Old Town Farmers' Market at Market Square (301 King Street, right in front of City Hall) is the heartbeat of weekend life in Alexandria. It's one of the oldest continuously operating farmers' markets in the country. Grab heirloom tomatoes, fresh-cut flowers, local cheese, prepared foods, and more. Plan to arrive early — the good stuff goes fast.
- Where: Market Square, 301 King St, Old Town Alexandria
- When: Every Saturday, early morning — confirm current hours at alexandriava.gov
Live Music & Arts
Torpedo Factory Art Center
- What: No weekend in Old Town is complete without a stop at the Torpedo Factory Art Center on the waterfront. Over 80 working artists have open studios here, and you can watch painters, printmakers, sculptors, and jewelers at work, then buy directly from the maker. It's free to browse and consistently one of the most genuinely interesting art experiences in the DC metro area.
- Where: 105 N Union St, Old Town Alexandria (right on the Potomac waterfront)
- When: Open daily — confirm current hours at torpedofactory.org
Crafts & Cocktails
- What: A fun, social craft event pairing hands-on creativity with cocktails — perfect for a Saturday night out with friends. Confirm details with the venue, as exact times, location, and ticketing details were not fully available at time of publication.
- When: Saturday, August 6 — confirm details with the venue before attending.
Family-Friendly
Explore King Street on Foot
- What: King Street itself is an event in August. The mile-long stretch from the King Street Metro to the waterfront is lined with independent boutiques, ice cream shops, historic markers, and shaded sidewalks. Kids love the King Street Trolley (free, runs the length of King Street) and the open waterfront park at the foot of the street. It's low-key, free, and endlessly browsable.
- Where: King Street, Old Town Alexandria
- When: Any time this weekend — trolley schedule at dash.results.net
Waterfront Park & Bike the Mount Vernon Trail
- What: The Old Town Alexandria waterfront is at its absolute best on a summer weekend. Grab a bench, watch the boats on the Potomac, or rent a bike and take the Mount Vernon Trail south toward George Washington's estate. Bring a picnic from the farmers' market and make a morning of it.
- Where: Alexandria City Marina & Waterfront Park, foot of King Street
Dining & Drinks
Mark Your Calendar: Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week Is Coming
- What: Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week runs August 14–23, 2026, with participating restaurants across Old Town offering special prix-fixe menus. This weekend is the perfect time to scope out where you want to book — browse the King Street dining strip and make reservations ahead of time. Participating restaurant announcements are still forthcoming, so keep an eye on visitalexandriava.com for the full list.
- Where: Restaurants throughout Alexandria
- When: August 14–23, 2026
Literary Libations Book Club at Morrison House
- What: Coming up mid-week but worth planning for now — Literary Libations is a free monthly book club at The Study at Morrison House (part of the Alexandrian Autograph Collection hotel) that pairs themed cocktails with great conversation about a shared read. It's exactly the kind of only-in-Old-Town experience that makes living here so good.
- Where: Morrison House, 116 S Alfred St, Old Town Alexandria
- When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — confirm details with Morrison House
On the Waterfront
Sunset on the Potomac
- What: Free, beautiful, and never gets old. Head down to the Old Town waterfront on Friday or Saturday evening as the sun drops behind the Wilson Bridge. The light on the river is spectacular in August, and the boardwalk fills up with neighbors doing exactly what you're doing — nothing, perfectly. Grab a drink from one of the waterfront restaurants and find a spot on the grass.
- Where: Alexandria City Waterfront, Union Street at the Potomac River
Sunday in Old Town
Sunday, August 9 is arguably the most relaxed and rewarding day of the long weekend — and Old Town absolutely delivers for it. Here's how to make the most of your final day.
Waterfront Brunch
Sunday brunch on the Potomac is a genuine Old Town institution. Vola's Dockside Grill & Hi-Tide Lounge (101 N Union St) serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10 a.m. — think waterfront views, benedicts, and classic brunch fare steps from the river. Chart House (1 Cameron St, on the waterfront) also offers a Sunday brunch seating; confirm current hours and reservation availability with each venue before you go. Beyond these two, King Street has no shortage of cafés and restaurants that roll out weekend brunch menus — a slow stroll up the strip will turn up plenty of options.
Torpedo Factory & the Waterfront on a Sunday Afternoon
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is open daily, and Sunday afternoons tend to have a wonderfully unhurried energy — fewer crowds than Saturday, more artists in their studios. Browse the open galleries, chat with makers, and don't miss the Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the third floor, which is free to visit (confirm hours with the venue). Afterward, walk the waterfront boardwalk north and south from the foot of King Street — the river views in August are hard to beat.
A Slow Stroll or Guided Walking Tour
Sunday is perfect for the kind of wandering that Old Town rewards. Pick up the free King Street Trolley to ride the length of King Street, then explore the quiet side streets — Prince, Duke, and Queen Streets are lined with 18th- and 19th-century architecture that tells the city's full history. If you'd like more context, guided walking tours of Old Town operate regularly; confirm current tour schedules and meeting points at visitalexandriava.com. Cap the afternoon with an iced coffee or ice cream from one of the independent shops along King Street before heading home.
That's your weekend, Old Town style. Whether you fill every hour or simply wander King Street with an iced coffee in hand, there's no wrong way to do August in Alexandria. Check back next Friday for the August 13–15 roundup, and if you don't want to miss a single event, sign up for our weekly newsletter — we'll drop it straight to your inbox every Thursday morning.