Christmas lights in Alexandria, Virginia

We track 4 displays in Alexandria — the 4th-densest city for lights in Virginia. Every one of them is free to visit.

When to go

Displays here switch on around sunset. In Alexandria that means about 4:47 PM in early December and 4:47 PM by mid-month — the earliest sunsets of the year fall right in the middle of lights season. It is properly dark by about 5:17 PM, which is when the displays look their best. December nights in Alexandria typically drop to around 28°F.

DateSunsetFully dark
Dec 14:47 PM5:16 PM
Dec 154:47 PM5:17 PM
Dec 254:52 PM5:22 PM

The Alexandria lights loop — 4 stops

We ordered every display in Alexandria into the shortest sensible driving loop: roughly 0.4 miles and 17 minutes of driving, before you count time spent parked and looking. Start wherever is closest to you and follow it round.

  1. Collingwood Lights — 1601 Collingwood Road
  2. Del Ray Holiday Card Lane — 100-300 blocks of East Luray Avenue
  3. Old Town Alexandria Holiday Lights — King Street and nearby side streets (S. Fairfax Street, Lee Street); Market Square at 301 King Street
  4. Carlyle House Historic Park — 121 N. Fairfax Street

Driving estimate assumes a 25 mph average on residential streets plus four minutes stopped per display. Straight-line distances with a road-network allowance — treat it as a planning figure, not a satnav route.

All 4 displays in Alexandria

Carlyle House Historic Park

121 N. Fairfax Street · Alexandria, Virginia

Holiday season, roughly mid-November through early January · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattractiondancing white lightsglowing garden

The grounds of this historic Old Town house become a glowing garden oasis wrapped in dancing white lights.

5 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Old Town Alexandria Holiday Lights

King Street and nearby side streets (S. Fairfax Street, Lee Street); Market Square at 301 King Street · Alexandria, Virginia

Holiday season, roughly mid-November through early January · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeneighborhoodtree-lined King Street lightsdecorated storefrontsgiant trees at Market SquareTriangle Park holiday treeshistoric rowhouse decor

Old Town's tree-lined King Street glows with lights and decorated storefronts, while residential side streets like S. Fairfax and Lee Street show off charming rowhouse decorations. Market Square at 301 King Street puts up giant holiday trees, with more at Triangle Park.

5 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Del Ray Holiday Card Lane

100-300 blocks of East Luray Avenue · Alexandria, Virginia

Holiday season, roughly mid-November through early January · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeneighborhoodgiant plywood Christmas cardsspotlight illuminationtradition since 2014walkable or drivable

Since 2014, Del Ray residents along East Luray Avenue have displayed giant hand-painted plywood Christmas cards in their yards, lit by spotlights and supplemented with string lights. The three-block stretch can be enjoyed on foot or from the car.

5 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Collingwood Lights

1601 Collingwood Road · Alexandria, Virginia

Holiday season, roughly mid-November through early January · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeresidentialhome light display

A free residential display along Collingwood Road in the Fort Hunt area south of Old Town, recommended as a stop on an Alexandria lights drive.

5 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Nearby towns

Arlington3 displays · 5 miWashington10 displays · 6 miMount Vernon1 display · 7 miAnnandale2 displays · 8 miBurke4 displays · 13 miVienna5 displays · 14 mi

Know a display we're missing in Alexandria?Add it to the guide.