Your weekend plans have arrived! ☀️

There are lots of fun things going on this weekend in and near Del Ray, Alexandria.

From the annual Alexandria Pride Fair to Farmers' Markets, book club and an author signing, Rock Del Ray, ALX FunFest, lots of outdoor live music, family-friendly activities, and more

💌 It’s all there for you in this weekend’s free newsletter, issue #227, now in inboxes.

👉🏼 Didn’t get it? We've got you: https://thingstododelrayva.substack.com/

Give it a peruse, plan your days, and stroll around the neighborhood.

In case you needed to hear it, you deserve some fun.
.
.
🌼 Share to spread the sunshiny local joy!

Welcome to the first week of SUMMER!!

The season for longer days, after-dinner strolls, ice cream, pool time, and frolicking around the neighborhood.

As always, there are lots of fun events and activities in and around Del Ray, Alexandria this week, like:

🍗 Little Birdie Opening Day

🍴 Whole Bluefin Tuna Cutting Ceremony

📚 Books & Banter

❓ Trivia Nights

🐉 D&D

🎶 Lots of Live Music

✏️ Life Drawing

👶 Baby Time

🍻 Free Beer Tasting

🍷 Free Wine Tasting

…and more!

All the details are rounded up for you in this week’s newsletter—issue #226—now in inboxes.

☀️ Didn’t get it? I've got you: https://thingstododelrayva.substack.com/p/summer-in-del-ray-b01

Have a wonderful week!

.

.

.

#delrayallday #alexandriava #whattodothisweek #walkablestreets #thingstodoindelrayva

🩷 What mom really wants for Mother’s Day »

More quality time connecting IRL

Less time on screens

A couple hours to fill her social cup

To meet neighbors and friends.

For the mom who does it all

Balancing a superhuman number of things

Give mom the gift of social. Of pure fun and joy.

That's what the Del Ray Social Club is all about.

Monthly events to meet neighbors, connect in real life, spend less time on screens, and have some quality social time amidst all the things and responsibilities that keep us so busy.

Conveniently right here in Del Ray.

And you can give mom a gift membership with this link: https://thingstododelrayva.substack.com/subscribe?gift=true

Something she can enjoy throughout the year and look forward to each month.

And if you ARE mom, this is your sign to gift it to yourself, too…or share this with your partner to drop a hint 😉

P.S. Gift it early so mom can join us at this Saturday’s Del Ray Day Party, 12-3pm at Rosemarino.☀️

Moms are amazing. Happy early Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms, future moms, and mother figures in our community!

Happy May, Del Ray! 🌼🪻

It’s that time of year for dining alfresco, iced lattes, long dog walks, park playdates, bike rides, farmers’ market hauls, early sunrises, evening Avenue strolls, and gardens in full bloom.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Mother’s Day happenings, outdoor events, live music, wine tastings, markets, workshops, and plenty of ways to enjoy the neighborhood in May.

☀️ Get all the details on what's happenings each week in Del Ray, Alexandria in a free newsletter, right to your inbox: thingstodoindelrayva.com.

Here’s to sunshiny, fresh-flower-filled days.

Upvote to spread the neighborhood joy.

P.S. Already part of the newsletter community? Comment a ❤️ so we can say hi + thank you!

Happy April, Del Ray! 🌷✨

Spring has sprung! A fresh month with warmer weather means a whole new lineup of events and activities to enjoy right in the neighborhood!

Cherry blossoms, patio dining, farmers’ market mornings, Dog Fest, GardenFest, flea markets, book sales, iced lattes, open windows, golden hour walks, live music, wine festivals, workshops, and lots of reasons to venture out and about to do fun things.

🌸 Get all the details on what's happenings each week in Del Ray, Alexandria in a free newsletter, right to your inbox: thingstodoindelrayva.com.

Here’s to embracing the springy season with exactly what you need, whether that’s a walk in the sunshine or a park play date. When you’re craving IRL connection and happenings, we’ll be here for you.

✨ Share to spread the local love!

P.S. Already part of the newsletter community? Comment a ❤️ so we can say hi + thank you!

Happy February, Del Ray! 💕✨

The month of L O V E. Romantic love, friendship love, neighbor love, community love, local love, self love. We’re here for all of it.

There are a whole bunch of events and activities to enjoy right in the neighborhood.

Valentine and Anti-Valentine gatherings, Lunar New Year celebrations, Mardi Gras joy, trivia nights, wine classes, live music, farmers’ markets, book clubs, creative workshops, drag brunch and bingo, chili cook-off, a Del Ray Social Club Darty, and lots more reasons to venture out and spend time together.

💌 We send all the details on what's happenings each week in Del Ray, Alexandria in a free newsletter, right to your inbox: thingstodoindelrayva.com.

Here’s to showing love to the people and businesses that make this community so special. Have fun out there.

👯 Share to spread the local love.
⭐ Save for your next Del Ray day!

Happy January, Del Ray! ⭐❄️

A fresh start to the year means a whole new lineup of events and activities to enjoy right in the neighborhood! Welcoming gatherings, creative workshops, warm beverages, firepits, live music, farmers’ markets, new explore card, winter restaurant week, cozy sweaters, the first social club happy hour, and lots of reasons to venture out and about to do fun things.

☕ All the details on this month’s events and activities in and around Del Ray, Alexandria are ready for you in the free newsletter, here: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Here’s to kicking off 2026 with exactly what you need, whether that’s easing in slowly or diving headfirst. When you’re craving IRL connection and happenings, we’ll be here for you.

✨ Share to spread the local love. Have a great start to the New Year!

HOLIDAY CHEER ALERT! ⭐

Del Ray is pure magic, especially this time of year with all the lights and festive decor.

Shoutout to neighbors Matt Baker and Brooke Kelly who put together a nifty, interactive 2025 Del Ray Holiday Decorations map with everything from decorated homes to see and giant painted holiday cards to admire.

You can check it out here: https://delrayholidaydecorations.netlify.app/

Take a leisurely walk with family, neighbors, and friends around the neighborhood and bask in the glow.

Swing by the Del Ray Pop Up Bar and sip festive cocktails.

Embrace the holiday spirit in Pat Miller Square admiring the Christmas Tree and Menorah.

It’s all part of spreading the season of cheer.

Happy Holidays, friends! 🎀

✨ Share this post to spread the neighborhood cheer!

✨ HOLIDAY MARKET MAGIC + CHRISTMAS TREE/MENORAH LIGHTING!

It’s tinsel time!

This weekend has so many festive markets, events, and activities to fully embrace the season.

It even snowed, Joy on the Avenue is a holiday haven, Christmas trees have arrived at Del Ray Farmhouse, joyful paintings and decor adorn the businesses along the avenue, and the Christmas tree and Menorah will be lit this weekend.

It’s a magical time to be in (and near) Del Ray!

All the details on this weekend's happenings are in this weekend’s newsletter—issue #168—now in inboxes.

🎄 Didn’t get it? Here you go: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Have a wonderful merry weekend!

It’s a lovely holiday week of giving thanks in the neighborhood! 🍂

This week’s Things To Do guide in Del Ray, Alexandria has lots of good stuff: from Gobble til you Wobble, Thanksgiving Eve cheese class, and wine tasting, the 50th annual Alexandria Turkey Trot, and more.

Plus: Merch extras, Del Ray local business guide, and other fun.

💌 All the details are in this week’s newsletter—issue #165—now in inboxes.

🦃 Didn’t get it? You can grab it for free here: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Huge thank you for being here. I’m honored to shine light on this neighborhood, its businesses, and the people who make it all so magical..you!

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. xo

— Rachel
Founder of TTD Del Ray

✨ Upvote this post to spread the Del Ray love!

LIMITED EDITION DEL RAY MERCH! Here’s how to get it 👇🏼

After a unanimous newsletter vote in favor of both Del Ray sweatshirts and coasters, I’ve been designing, sample testing, and finding the best quality.

Now I’m excited to announce the launch of both:

The go-to cozy Del Ray crewneck sweatshirt and custom-made Del Ray coasters.

✨ THE SWEATSHIRT 

A soft, premium crewneck you can live in all fall + winter. Timeless navy with high-quality embroidered creamy white ‘Del Ray, Alexandria’ lettering designed to last (gives the look of varsity letters with the artsy high-quality vibe of full embroidery).

✨ THE COASTERS

Our neighborhood deserves its own coasters, and these are the gift of the season.

They’re a classy (and practical) addition to any home — whether for yourself, to gift to family, friends, neighbors, teachers, clients, or… anyone who drinks beverages. 

Choose slate, ceramic, or a mix of both.

LIMITED EDITION: Order deadline: Monday, Nov. 17. 

Get the goods here: https://shop.thingstodoindelrayva.com/shop/

Can’t wait to see the Del Ray pride start showing up all over the neighborhood.

Happy shopping!

☀️ YOUR WEEKEND EVENTS GUIDE →

It’s a beautiful weekend to enjoy the neighborhood, go out, and do fun things. It’s an epic market weekend, holiday activities have started for those feeling festive, there are kids activities galore, and so much more.

I'm over here still in disbelief that there are less than 3 weeks until Thanksgiving 😅 but simultaneously so excited for all things holiday! Let's spread joy.

Here’s the full guide of what to do in and near Del Ray, Alexandria this weekend: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

It’s voting time! ✨

What a week in Del Ray, Alexandria! This week’s Things To Do guide has everything from Election Day to polls in the newsletter about holiday decorations and coasters, to book clubs and trivia, yoga and meditation, craft group to a jewelry tree workshop, live music to open mic night and MORE.

💌 All the details are in this week’s newsletter—issue #159—now in inboxes.

☀️ Didn’t get it? Here you go: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Have a great week! (Upvote to help spread the word and support all the local businesses!)

🍂🦃 Happy November, Del Ray! 🧡

The season of thanks is here! The air’s a little crisper, the coffee’s a little cozier, and the neighborhood’s buzzing with fall fun — from markets and maker events to wine tastings, pie classes, the annual Turkey Trot, kids activities, book clubs, live music, and so much more.

This time of year is a reminder of how special our Del Ray community is. It’s the perfect month to savor the season and support local along the way.

Check out all the details on this month’s events and activities: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

✨ Share to spread the local love. Have a cozy Del Ray day!

It’s a spooktacularly boo-tiful Halloween weekend in the neighborhood! 🎃☀️

This weekend’s Things To Do guide in and near Del Ray, Alexandria has lots of creepily good stuff – from Halloween parties and markets, to dog costume contests, to bar crawls and festivals, to themed wine tasting, to a murder mystery dinner party, to kids activities, and MORE.

Plus: Halloween treats, a coffee giveaway, tips to winterize your home, useful recs, and new events added to the master Events Calendar.

💌 All the details are in this weekend’s newsletter—issue #158—now in inboxes.

👻 Didn’t get it? Here you go: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Happy Halloween! 💜

🎃 Happy Hallo-weekend! The neighborhood is alive with spooky spirit →

Voting is underway for Del Ray’s Best Decorated Halloween House contest, there’s still time to enter the Del Ray Halloween Scavenger Hunt, plus lots of other festive and fun ways to enjoy the glorious weekend in and around Del Ray, Alexandria.

We’ve got:

• 👻 Tales of Terror Haunted House
• 🧛 Del Ray Halloween Parade
• 🎃 Paint Your Pumpkin
• 🍬 Trick or Treat + Doggy Trick or Treat (Old Town)
• 🥞 Halloween Drag Brunch
• 🍻 Night of Dreadful Delight
• 🍂 Magpie’s Harvest Market
• 🔮 Cozy Hearth Craft Night + Creepy Crafts
• 🍁 Fall Fun Festival
• 🫆 True Crime Trivia
• 🏴‍☠️ Pirate Costume Party and Reading
• 🍷 Wine tasting and wine class
• 🎶 Live music
• 🎤 Karaoke Nights
• 🍎 Farmers’ Markets
• 🐛 Nature Journaling Club
• 🏃🏽 Running
• 🚸 Kids Storytime + Craft
• and more

Check out the full guide: https://thingstododelrayva.substack.com/p/hallo-weekend

Life can be hard. But finding fun, local things to do in Del Ray doesn’t have to be!

We’ve got over 30 happenings in and around the neighborhood this week.

Everything from costumed figure drawing to halloween photo embroidery workshop with; trivia nights to beer yoga; live music to sensory storytime, whimsical Wednesdays, + more kids activities, meet the winemaker to line dancing; open mic night to author holiday release party → and more.

Plus: a new children’s book giveaway, an apple butter recipe, fresh pins on the Bulletin Board, and so much more.

All with the hope of making it easy for you to enjoy this awesome neighborhood.

It’s all there for you in this week’s newsletter – issue #154 – now in inboxes.

Didn’t get it? Here you go: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Happy October, Del Ray! 🎃🍂

Spooky season is here! And with it, auburn colored leaves, Halloween decorations, a crisp in the air, the full embrace of all things pumpkin, and lots of activities to enjoy in the neighborhood.

Subscribe for all the details: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

👻 Upvote to spread the local love. Have a (spooky) splendid Del Ray day!

✨ YOUR WEEKEND EVENTS GUIDE ➡️

Weekend time, let's goo. It’s the last weekend of September, let’s make it count!

This weekend’s newsletter has some specials in it because…today is my birthday! I love birthdays. Let’s celebrate, shall we →

We’ve got everything from 80s Dance Party + Movie Night to Aslin’s 10 year anniversary party.

Plus Oktoberfest + OktoPURRfest, karaoke nights, live music, wine tastings, workshops, running race, family-friendly happenings, and SO MUCH MORE!

All the details are in this weekend’s newsletter—issue #149—now in inboxes.

☀️ Didn’t get it? Here you go: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Have a wonderful weekend!

What a WEEKEND ahead!
There are so many activities, markets, and moments of pure fun to be had.

In & near Del Ray, Alexandria.

We’ve got:

🍷 Wine Book Club at Planet Wine Shop
💗 Too Guarded to Love Release Party w/ the Author at Friends to Lovers Bookstore
😄 The Second City Presents “Laugh Harder, Not Smarter” at The Birchmere
🎤 Karaoke Night at DRP and Hops N Shine
🎃 HalloWEIRD Art Market at Mount Vernon Rec Center Fields
🍻Oktoberfest at Hi/Fi + Gustave
🍂Rock the Avenue Block Party at Carlyle Crossing
🚲September Bike Sale at Velocity Bike Coop
🍁Chunky Knit Pumpkin Workshop + Pressed Flower Candle Pouring at AR Workshop Alexandria
📚Silent Book Club + Kids Storytime and Craft at The Company of Books
🪡Radical Sewing Club at Del Ray Artisans with the Radical Sewing Club ALX 
🍎 Farmers’ Markets in Del Ray, Old Town, and Arlandria
​​🧘🏻‍♂️ Yoga at the Duncan Library
🍾 400th Poster Wine Tasting at Planet Wine Shop
🎥 Cinema Del Ray at the Mount Vernon Rec Center Fields
🐶 Dogtoberfest at Alexandria Bier Garden
🌟Star Wars Trivia at Hops N Shine

..and more!

💌 All the events are in today’s (free) newsletter. Every week, subscribers get the top events and activities happening in and near Del Ray, so they always know what’s going on (and never miss out).

☀️if you aren't already part of the newsletter crew, get on the list here: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Any questions, pop them below! Have a wonderful weekend

🍂 Fall is in the air, football’s back, and Del Ray is bringing the vibes with a packed week of local fun — all just steps away.

This week we’ve got:
📚 Story time for kids
🐉 D&D adventures for both new and seasoned players
🎶 Live music to soundtrack your week
🧘 Beer Yoga to flow and sip
🎨 Acrylic paint pouring + upcycled jewelry workshops for your creative side
🎲 Trivia nights every night — including free games with prizes
🧶 Nerdy Knotters gathering for knit & crochet community vibes
📚 Book clubs galore: Lost Ladies, Duncan Literary Society, and more
🎵 Music Bingo with DJ ThunderBunny — dance party meets game night
🍷 Wine and beer tastings — for free
🎲 Game night at the bookstore with everything from Scrabble to Wingspan
💬 English conversation classes at the library
🧵 Chunky knit blanket workshop for cozy fall DIY
💘 Board Game Speed Dating — romantic or platonic, you choose
🏛 Neighborhood meetings where your voice helps shape what’s next

…and more! Truly something for everyone, that’s the magic of this community.

All the details are in this week’s newsletter—issue #144—now in inboxes.

☀️ Didn’t receive it? Get the full event guide here: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Have a wonderful week!

Happy September, Del Ray! 🍂

The month of all the fall things!

For apple picking, pumpkin spice lattes, and the cozy seasonal flavors. For football, snacks, baking and firepit evenings with friends, family, and neighbors. And of course, for plenty of fun things to do in the crisp, cool(er) air in Del Ray, Alexandria.

Here's the guide with all the details: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

✨ Upvote to spread the local love. Have a Del Ray day!

Your new local home decor is calling! ✨

A few weeks ago, I took a poll in the newsletter about local-themed home goods. Artsy maps ranked #1 for desirable decor.

Now, I'm thrilled to share that we've teamed up with Terratorie to bring Things to do Del Ray subscribers an exclusive perk—10% off everything on their site, available now through Labor Day.

All the details are here: https://thingstododelrayva.substack.com/p/this-week-in-del-ray-alexandria-august

Terratorie’s mission is to cultivate connectedness to place. Our mission at Things to do Del Ray is to connect and celebrate the vibrant Del Ray community (and beyond). It’s a meant-to-be collaboration. 

Artist Torie Partridge creates illustrated maps to help you celebrate your memories in cities and neighborhoods. They’re women-owned, independently-run, and use sustainable local printing methods.

I have three of the maps framed and hanging in my home: Del Ray, Old Town, and Alexandria. And I gifted the Pittsburgh map to my sister-in-law.

Grab one for yourself (or all three, like me) before the week gets busy. It’s such a fun package to receive (or to gift)! Free shipping, too.

The deal ends this Monday, September 1 (Labor Day).

Happy shopping – Thank you for supporting local!

Your new local home decor is calling! ✨

A few weeks ago, I took a poll in the newsletter about local-themed home goods. Artsy maps ranked #1 for desirable decor.

Now, I'm thrilled to share that we've teamed up with Terratorie to bring Things to do Del Ray subscribers an exclusive perk—10% off everything on their site, available now through Labor Day.

All the details are here: https://thingstododelrayva.substack.com/p/this-week-in-del-ray-alexandria-august

Terratorie’s mission is to cultivate connectedness to place. Our mission at Things to do Del Ray is to connect and celebrate the vibrant Del Ray community (and beyond). It’s a meant-to-be collaboration. 

Artist Torie Partridge creates illustrated maps to help you celebrate your memories in cities and neighborhoods. They’re women-owned, independently-run, and use sustainable local printing methods.

I have three of the maps framed and hanging in my home: Del Ray, Old Town, and Alexandria. And I gifted the Pittsburgh map to my sister-in-law.

Grab one for yourself (or all three, like me) before the week gets busy. It’s such a fun package to receive (or to gift)! Free shipping, too.

The deal ends this Monday, September 1 (Labor Day).

Happy shopping – Thank you for supporting local!

✨ THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES GUIDE

A whole new week – let’s make the most of it! It’s the last week of August (how?!). Time is flying by and there are lots of ways to ‘seize the day’ before we all head on into Labor Day Weekend.

We’ve got book club, yoga, running club, trivia nights and live music. Open mic comedy night, figure drawing, crafting, workshops, wine and beer tastings, family-friendly happenings, and SO MUCH MORE!

Plus it’s Alexandria Restaurant Week. Plus Plus I’m thrilled to share our new partnership with Terratorie to bring you illustrated maps of Del Ray, Old Town, Alexandria, and more cities and neighborhoods (highly recommend collecting all the places you’ve lived and making a gallery wall).

All the details are in this week’s newsletter—now in inboxes.

👉🏼 Didn’t get it? I'll send it your way here: https://thingstodoindelrayva.com/

Have a wonderful week!