August in Old Town Alexandria hits different — the golden late-summer light bounces off the Potomac, King Street hums with locals and visitors alike, and the restaurant scene is in full swing. This weekend, Thursday August 20 through Sunday August 23, there is no shortage of ways to fill your days and evenings in one of Northern Virginia's most vibrant neighborhoods. Whether you're a longtime local or visiting for the first time, here's everything worth knowing before you head out the door.
Dining & Drinks — Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week
If you haven't taken full advantage of Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week yet, this weekend is your last real chance — the citywide celebration runs through Sunday, August 23. Dozens of Old Town's acclaimed restaurants are offering prix-fixe menus and special deals, making it the perfect excuse to finally try that spot you've been eyeing on King Street or along the waterfront.
- Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week (through Sun., Aug. 23) — Participating restaurants across Old Town and the broader city are offering multi-course prix-fixe menus at special price points. Check each restaurant's individual page or the Visit Alexandria website for the current participant list and confirm pricing directly with each venue. Neighborhoods to explore: King Street, upper Old Town, and the waterfront corridor.
- The Wharf at Old Town — With Restaurant Week as your excuse, the cluster of waterfront dining options near the King Street pier is especially appealing on a warm August evening. Think fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and a front-row seat to Potomac sunsets. Confirm menus and reservations with individual venues.
- King Street Wine Bars & Craft Beer Spots — Old Town's independent wine bars and craft beer taprooms are perennial weekend favorites. Pop in for a flight or a glass after dinner — no reservation needed at most.
Festivals & Markets
- Old Town Farmers' Market (Sat., Aug. 22) — One of the oldest continuously operating farmers' markets in the country, the Old Town Alexandria Saturday Farmers' Market sets up in Market Square at the foot of King Street every Saturday morning. Local produce, fresh-cut flowers, artisan breads, specialty foods, and handmade goods fill the square bright and early. This is a beloved Old Town anchor regardless of what else is on the calendar — arrive early for the best selection. Confirm current hours with the City of Alexandria, though Saturday mornings are the reliable standard.
- Around the World Festival (ATW) — The Around the World Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, bringing authentic international cuisine, live cultural entertainment, and a true one-day travel experience to the area. The festival is a short trip from Old Town, and organizers encourage attendees to turn the day into a full Old Town weekend getaway — exploring the cobblestone streets, waterfront, and independent boutiques before or after. Confirm the exact date, location, and ticketing at aroundtheworldfestival.com.
Live Music & Arts
- Torpedo Factory Art Center — Open throughout the weekend, the Torpedo Factory on the waterfront houses over 80 working artists across painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and more. Studio doors are open so you can watch artists at work and shop original pieces directly. A staple of any Old Town weekend — free to enter, though individual studios may sell work. Confirm current open hours with the Torpedo Factory directly.
- Live Music on King Street — Many of Old Town's bars and restaurants feature live acoustic or jazz performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in the summer. Stroll King Street after dinner and follow your ears — venues like Virtue Feed & Grain, Hank's Oyster Bar, and others frequently host musicians. Confirm individual lineups with venues.
- The Athenaeum — This Greek Revival landmark on Prince Street is one of Old Town's most beautiful small galleries. Check in with the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association to see what's currently on display this weekend. Admission is typically free or low-cost; confirm details with the venue.
Family-Friendly
- Waterfront Park & the King Street Pier — Free, fun, and genuinely beautiful, the Old Town waterfront is ground zero for family time any day of the weekend. Kids love watching the boats on the Potomac, and the grassy areas of Waterfront Park are perfect for picnics after a morning at the Farmers' Market.
- Torpedo Factory Kids' Activities — Many artists at the Torpedo Factory welcome curious young visitors, and the Art League School periodically hosts family-oriented drop-in programming. Check the Torpedo Factory's website for any weekend workshops or events geared toward kids.
- Bike the Mount Vernon Trail — The George Washington Memorial Parkway trail runs right along the Potomac and is one of the best family bike rides in the region. Rent bikes in Old Town and head south toward Mount Vernon or north toward National Airport with the river on your right the whole way.
On the Waterfront
- Sunset Cruise from the King Street Pier — Several boat tour operators run evening cruises from the Old Town waterfront. A late-August sunset over the Potomac from the water is truly hard to beat. Confirm schedules, availability, and pricing with operators directly — summer weekends book up fast.
- Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals — If you'd rather power your own adventure, kayak and SUP rentals are available near the waterfront during summer months. Confirm current rental operators and hours with the City of Alexandria parks listings or outinoldtown.com.
- Evening Stroll Along the Strand — As the August heat softens toward evening, a walk along the waterfront from Founders Park south through Waterfront Park and the Torpedo Factory area is one of Old Town's great free pleasures. The lights on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge glow in the distance; the restaurant patios fill up; the city feels alive.
Sunday in Old Town
Don't pack it in after Saturday — Sunday, August 23 is the final day of Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week, the Torpedo Factory is open, and the waterfront is arguably at its most relaxed and beautiful on a slow Sunday afternoon. Here's how to spend it:
- Sunday Brunch on King Street — Old Town has a deep bench of brunch options. Brunch staples like Hank's Oyster Bar (known for its weekend brunch menu), Vermilion, and a growing roster of King Street spots offer everything from eggs Benedict to bottomless mimosas. Most brunch services run mid-morning through early afternoon — confirm hours and whether reservations are needed directly with your chosen spot, especially with Restaurant Week in full swing.
- Sunday Afternoon at the Torpedo Factory — After brunch, walk two blocks to the waterfront and spend the afternoon browsing artist studios at the Torpedo Factory. It's unhurried, air-conditioned, and endlessly interesting. Confirm Sunday hours with the Torpedo Factory directly.
- Explore Old Town's Side Streets — Spend the back half of Sunday wandering the residential blocks of Old Town — Prince Street's cobblestones, the flowering window boxes of Wolfe and Gibbon Streets, the hidden gardens tucked behind 18th-century rowhouses. It costs nothing and is one of the most charming walks in the DC region.
- Last Call: Restaurant Week Dinner — Sunday dinner is your final shot at Restaurant Week pricing. Make a reservation for Sunday evening and close out the weekend in style.
We'll have a fresh roundup of Old Town Alexandria events next weekend — bookmark this page and sign up for our newsletter so you never miss what's happening on King Street and beyond.
Plan Your Old Town Alexandria Weekend
Driving in? Check our guide to where to park in Old Town Alexandria before you head out — and if you want a table waiting between events, start with our Old Town food guide.