Old Town Alexandria is THE place to be for a family-friendly First Night celebration on New Year's Eve.

Looking for a great way to spend the last day of 2019, with plenty of options for everyone? Head to Old Town Alexandria for First Night.

Parents will love the Kids Karnival, and everyone else can choose from dozens of performances sprinkled all around town. An All-Access badge will get you in to see it all, so study the event map, and plan your evening well. Start off with some live music, see a comedian, do a little dancing, and then get something to eat. The entire town is hosting this epic annual event, and you won't want to miss out on the fun.

live music, combo

Event Details

  • WHEN: Tuesday, December 31, 2019
  • WHERE: Various locations in Old Town Alexandria | Online map available here.
  • TICKETS: $30 per person until December 30, $35 per person on December 31 | FREE for children aged 12 and under | FREE for active-duty military| Purchase tickets online here.
  • METRO: King Street Station is the closest Metro stop.
  • PARKING: Metered street parking, hourly pay garages

dancing, live music

What to Expect

The First Night celebration is happening all over town. Consult the map and go from show to show at your own pace. Keep in mind, venues shut down by 11 p.m. and everyone heads to the waterfront for the fireworks. Have someone in your party stake out a good spot with a blanket and camp chairs if you've got them.

The shops and restaurants in Old Town will remain open for business during the event, but you won't be able to check out any of these special performances without a badge. Get your ticket soon, before the price goes up! 

Even if you drive in for the event, you'll want to find parking and not move your car until after the fireworks or you're ready to leave. Getting around on foot will be your best bet, but the free Old Town Trolley will also run from the King Street Metro station down to the waterfront. The last loop of the free trolley rides will start at 10:30 p.m.

violin, musician

**All of the photos in this article are courtesy of the official First Night Alexandria website.

Is First Night a family tradition for you? Drop us a line and tell us who your favorite performers are and how to keep everyone up for the fireworks!