Holiday Lights in Old Town

The Alexandria Christmas Tree lighting took place last Saturday, so let's meet at the bike rack across the street from the King Street Metro Station and enjoy the holiday lights in Old Town!

For bonus points, the International Space Station will be visible with the naked eye for 4 minutes, moving across the northern sky starting at 5:56 pm. Let's see if we can spot it!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the bike rack we'll walk south and east to Wilkes St, which we'll follow east through Wilkes St Tunnel to the waterfront. From there we'll walk upstream to the the Torpedo Factory for a short break. After the break we'll walk north into Founders Park and hopefully spot the space station! Then we'll continue north through Founder's Park, head west along Oronoco Street to Fairfax Street, and walk south along N Fairfax St to Market Square to check out the Christmas tree. From there we'll walk west along King St back to our starting point.
• The walk is a little over 3.5 miles and should take not quite 2 hours. The surface is mostly paved throughout and fairly level.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/psdd2s94

❷ How to get there:

• Metro: King Street Station is on the Blue and Yellow Lines. Current Metro status and alerts: https://tinyurl.com/y7lklnl7
• Driving: From I-395, take VA-7 / King Street east about 2.8 miles. Take the first right after passing under the railroad (Daingerfield Street), and an immediate right onto Diagonal Road. From US-1 / Richmond Highway, follow King Street west 0.5 miles, take a sharp left onto Daingerfield, and the first right onto Diagonal Road. There is free and metered parallel parking in the area.

❸ Weather: The forecast is mostly sunny and a high of 43F, 26% cloud cover, and no rain. Light WNW winds. very little chance of showers. Sunset is at 4:46 pm and civil twilight ends about 30 minutes later. The moon will be below the horizon. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/y9uwk5hf

❹ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes, please). The layered look, with gloves and a hat, is recommended.

❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at the Torpedo Factory and at several commercial establishments along our route.

❼ Notes:

• City of Alexandria’s Kicks Off the Holiday Season with Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: https://tinyurl.com/yhc69zrz
• Moonrise, Moonset, and Phase Calendar for Alexandria, November 2024: https://tinyurl.com/bd5mzzdv
• Spot the Station in Alexandria, VA: https://tinyurl.com/yc4kmuts