Your guide to everything happening in Del Ray this weekend: May 2-4.

May the fourth be with you.

May 02, 2025

Happy Friday, Neighbor,

And happy May. And happy Star Wars weekend—Sunday is May 4th, a date that’s become affectionately known as May the Fourth Be With You.

It’s a play on the iconic Star Wars line, “May the Force be with you,” and over the years it’s turned into an unofficial holiday for fans to celebrate the galaxy far, far away.

It’s also the weekend of (right before) Cinco de Mayo. A great excuse to pop by a few of Del Ray’s Mexican restaurants.

We’re bringing this week’s newsletter to you together with Rakuten. Do you like getting cash back on things you’re already buying—without any extra effort? Me too. I’ve used Rakuten since 2016 and have earned $746 in cash back, just from my usual Target runs, takeout, and travel. Right now, you can get a $30 bonus just for signing up.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend in Del Ray:

📚 Duncan Library Book Sale
✨ Mystic Market
🍷 Wine Class
🎨 Art Exhibit Opening Reception
🍻 May the Fourth
🧒🏾 Kids Storytime
📖 Silent Book Club
☀️ Workshops
🥬 Del Ray Farmers’ Market
🍾 Free Wine & Cheese Tastings
🎤 Karaoke
🎶 Live Music
🧘‍♀️ Yoga
🎨 Face Painting

…and more!

– Rachel Turula
Founder + Publisher, Things to do: Del Ray, VA

P.S. Scroll down for your last chance to enter the $50 Los Tios Gift Card Giveaway!

Friday, May 2

Friends of Duncan Library Spring Book Sale, 10am-5pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Stock up on reads at the Duncan Library Book Sale. Hardcovers are $4, paperbacks $2, unless otherwise marked. All proceeds support library programs, materials, and events.
Mystic Market, 4pm-8pm at Magpie Reclamations, 202 E Custis Ave.
Step into a world of magic at Magpie’s Mystic Market. Browse reclaimed furniture, jewelry, crystals, and more, plus enjoy tarot readings and mystical finds. Held the first Friday of every month.
Free Wine Tasting, 5pm-7pm at Rosemont Cellar, 2 E Walnut St.
Love wine? Sip different tastes with Rosemont Cellar’s free Friday wine tastings. They highlight different producers, regions, and styles each week, so you can discover something new.
Shiraz Showdown: That Bold Wine Called Shiraz, 6pm-7pm at Planet Wine Shop, 2004 Mt Vernon Ave.
Ever wondered what makes a Shiraz different from a Syrah? Sip six bold expressions of this celebrated grape while learning how winemakers around the world interpret it, in this casual seated class at Planet Wine.
Alexandria City High School 2025 Titan Student Art Exhibition Opening Reception, 7pm-9pm, at Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mt Vernon Ave.
The Alexandria City High School Titan Student Art Exhibition spotlights rising local artists at Del Ray Artisans. Meet the curators, teachers, and student artists at the opening reception and see the creativity happening right here in our schools.
Karaoke, 8pm-11pm at Flipside Speakeasy, 2218 Mount Vernon Ave.
Bring your besties to Flipside Speakeasy (above DRP) on Fridays for a fun night of karaoke. Sing your heart out and kick off the weekend right.
MICHAEL W. SMITH “BEYOND THE HORIZON TOUR”, 7:30pm at The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave.

Saturday, May 3

Del Ray Farmers’ Market, 8am-noon at Pat Miller Square, 2311 Mt Vernon Ave.
Start your day at the Del Ray Farmers' Market with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and prepared foods like chai, breakfast sandwiches, jams, and dumplings. Offerings may vary weekly—open year-round.
STEAM-tastic: Analogous Watercolor Leaves (Ages 6-12), 10am-12pm, at Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mt Vernon Ave.
Kids ages 6–12 can explore color theory and organic shapes while drawing curvy oak leaves inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe. Supplies are included, and family members are welcome to listen and learn alongside.
Friends of Duncan Library Spring Book Sale, 10am-5pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Stock up on reads at the Duncan Library Book Sale. Hardcovers are $4, paperbacks $2, unless otherwise marked. All proceeds support library programs, materials, and events.
Kids Storytime and Craft, 10:30am-11:30am at The Company of Books, 2200 Mt Vernon Ave.
Join local author Ganeya Gajaram for storytime. You’ll read a book or two for the first half hour, and then have a related craft afterward.
Free Wine & Cheese Tasting, 11am-1pm at Cheesetique, 2411 Mt Vernon Ave.
Savor a delightful tasting experience at Cheesetique with curated wines and gourmet cheeses. It's a great way to discover new flavors in Del Ray. Every Saturday.
Silent Book Club, 1pm-3pm at The Company of Books, 2200 Mt Vernon Ave.
Enjoy some quiet reading time with fellow book lovers—no assigned books, no pressure, just good reads and good company.
Depth Stars Free Wine Tasting, 1pm-5pm at Planet Wine Shop, 2004 Mt Vernon Ave.
A Star Wars–themed tasting packed with flavor and power. Try “Darth wines” you won’t find on the mainstream shelves. Enjoy a 10% discount on tasting wines to take home.
LADY BLACKBIRD, 7:30pm at The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave.

It’s Giveaway Time

GIVEAWAY! Get ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo 🌮🍹

Picture this: a plate of sizzling fajitas fresh off the grill, pupusas filled with melty cheese and beans, crispy chips still warm from the fryer, and a frosty margarita with salt on the rim.

That’s what you’ll find at Los Tios Grill—a Del Ray favorite where the food is flavorful, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere makes every meal feel like a party. Whether you're grabbing dinner with friends or family, or stopping by for weekend brunch, Los Tios is a neighborhood go-to for casual, vibrant dining with a mix of Mexican and Salvadoran classics.

Now, Things to do Del Ray, VA and Los Tios Grill are giving away a $50 gift card so you can celebrate—on us!

To enter the giveaway, simply refer a friend to Things to do Del Ray using the button below (it contains your personalized referral code).

Once they’ve signed up, you’ll be entered. We’ll pick the winner’s name at random and announce in the next newsletter on Monday, May 5. Good luck! 🤞

Refer a friend

Share Things to do: Del Ray, VA

Sunday, May 4

Friends of Duncan Library Spring Book Sale, 1pm-5pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Stock up on reads at the Duncan Library Book Sale. Hardcovers are $4, paperbacks $2, unless otherwise marked. All proceeds support library programs, materials, and events.
Free Kids Face Painting and Crafts, 1pm-5pm at Hops N Shine, 3410 Mt Vernon Ave.
Bring your kids for free face painting at Hops N Shine. From Spider-Man masks to unicorns, the talented face painter can do it all! Enjoy select crafts, coloring books, and a kid's construction area too.
CANCELLED: Preschool STEAM Sundays, 2:30pm-3:30pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop in event.
May the Fourth Celebration, 7pm-9pm at Del Ray Pizzeria, 2218 Mount Vernon Ave.
May the Fourth fun is strong at DRP! Join for themed drinks, blue milk, costume contests, movies, and Star Wars trivia at 6:30pm. Call DRP to reserve your table.
MS. LISA FISCHER & GRAND BATON, 7:30pm at The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mt Vernon

This weekend’s featured open houses

13 E Mason Ave. 2 BR, 2 Bath. 1,318 sq. ft. $885,000. OH: Sat + Sun—2pm-4pm.

This section is populated by local realtors. Have an open house to feature? Email me.

May events

Del Ray Events Calendar

Some extra magic

If this newsletter helps you discover new events or feel more connected to Del Ray, consider buying us a digital latte. It helps keep this whole thing running.
The Del Ray Swag Store is open and everything ships free right now. Grab a tee, tote, or mug and rep your favorite neighborhood in style.
Reading: I finished Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. Classic, feel-good, rom-com read, loved it. Up next: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes.
For the mamas getting ready to celebrate Mother’s Day, this customizable cute crewneck gives all the cozy, proud parent vibes (makes a great gift). I bought myself the dog mom version.
For local Mother’s Day gifts, try Founding Farmers chocolates or something special from The Purple Goose Boutique.
Outdoor upgrade: Solar-powered string lights with a dusk sensor. Backyard magic, no outlet required.
Add color to your backyard with these moveable grow bags—great for small spaces or patios.
Is it just me, or does life get busier every year? To counterbalance, I’ve recently gotten into yoga and love the physical and mental clarity it gives me. If you want to do the same, this is the yoga / workout mat that I’ve been using.

Weather

Friday

86 🌡️ 69 | ⛅ | 24% | 💨 SW 11 mph

Saturday

84 🌡️ 60 | ⛈️ | 57% | 💨 SSW 14 mph

Sunday

71 🌡️ 59 | 🌧️ | 57% | 💨 S 9 mph

Temperature readings taken from Alexandria, VA on weather.com the night before publication.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!

Thank you for being part of the Things to do Del Ray community! If you enjoyed this roundup, share it with a neighbor who likes to read.