Holiday concerts, markets, festivals and other must-dos in the Washington DC area

Holiday Parade: Some might think the most important parade took place last Thursday, but this Saturday is the peak of parade season, with events taking place on land and on the water. It’s hard to imagine a place more festive than the Potomac River, which is set to life by holiday boat parades in Alexandria Old Town (5:30 pm) and at Pier (7 pm). Dozens of brightly decorated, brightly decorated ships take part and have dockside activities: In Alexandria, kids can write letters to Santa and make holiday decorations while adults tour the garden. beer or hot chocolate bar. The Wharf offers fireworks, bonfires and photos with Santa. On dry land, Christmas in Middleburg Parade sold all of its parking passes, and organizers say anyone arriving without a pass will “be unable to park” in town. Alternatives include Scotland Christmas Walk through Alexandria with processions, vintage cars and a pipe and drum band (11 a.m.) and Manassas’s 75th Annual Christmas Parade, has marching bands, floats, balloons and about 2,000 participants (10 am).