NOTE: This events calendar is from 2014. The guide to 2015 holiday events can be found HERE.
Mark your calendars! The holiday season brings wonderful Christmas events and holiday celebrations to the Reston area. Here is our huge list of things to do for the holidays in Reston and surrounding areas, including Herndon, Vienna, McLean, and DC.
Reston Holiday Parade at Reston Town Center
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014
Turkey Day 5K
8:00am, South Lakes High School, Reston
Choose 5K or 1 mile, and get the kids involved with the free Tot Trot. Proceeds will benefit Reston’s Embry Rucker Community Homeless Shelter and the SLHS track and field team.
Annual Reston Thanksgiving Day Family Bike Ride
8:30am, begins at South Lakes Village Center
Free, all ages welcome. Meet at the South Lakes Village Center at 8:30 a.m. to ride to Reston Town Center or organize your own neighborhood ride. All rides converge at Starbucks at Reston Town Center at 9 a.m.
Reston Holiday Parade at Reston Town Center
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2014
The day after Thanksgiving is one of Reston’s most fun days of the year! Bring the whole family to Reston Town Center for a full day of holiday events, called collectively “The Holidays are Here!” Events include:
Gingerbread Man Mile and Tot Trot
8am, Reston Town Center
Run, run, as fast as you can! Kids can race the gingerbread man around the Town Center. Age divisions are available for toddlers through teens.
Reston Holiday Parade
11am, Reston Town Center
This fantastic community event includes music, dancing, giant balloons, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s a must-see!
Christmas Tree Lighting and Sing-Along
5pm, Reston Town Center
The evening event begins with a performance of “Frosty Follies” by the Metropolitan School of the Arts, followed by a holiday singalong and the dramatic Christmas tree lighting at 6pm.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2014
Small Business Saturday
All day, stores throughout the area
Support small businesses by shopping for holiday gifts at the large variety of local businesses throughout Reston and the DC area.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014
Annual Church Street Holiday Stroll
6pm-9pm, Church Street between Lawyers Road and Mill Street, Vienna
Church Street will be closed to traffic, and visitors are invited to stroll along the street amid the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Santa Claus greets children at the Freeman House.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
German Christkindlmarket
4pm-8pm, German Armed Forces, 11150 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston
Experience a German Christmas market with beer, mulled wine, bratwurst, and desserts. Shop for German crafts and Christmas decorations. Proceeds benefit Cornerstones.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014
Tysons Corner Tree Lighting Ceremony and Skating Spectacular
3:30pm-6pm, Tysons Mall Outdoor Plaza
Famed a capella group Pentatonix will begin the festivities with Christmas songs at 3:30. At 5:00, Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan will headline the ice skating show, which will include Santa and his elves.
Santa arrives by boat at Jingle on Lake Anne
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014
Jingle on Lake Anne
11am-2pm, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Santa arrives by boat to crowds of excited children at this beloved annual event. Kids can visit with Santa, explore a petting zoo, and enjoy Christmas caroling and crafts.
Gifts from the HeART
11am-4pm, Reston Community Center at Lake Anne Plaza
Sales of original artwork, including watercolor, oil, acrylic, clay, mixed media, photography, and fiber, will benefit Cornerstones.
Alternative Gift Market and Craft Fair
10am-2pm, The Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Ave, Reston
Support several local charities and people in need by contributing your holiday shopping time and money to this alternative gift market.
“The Wonder of the Season” by the Reston Chorale
4:30pm and 7pm, Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods
This holiday concert for the whole family will feature Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and several holiday favorites.
Herndon Holiday Homes Tour
10am-4pm, Tickets at the Visitor’s Center at 717 Lynn Street, Herndon
Tour Herndon homes that are beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Herndon Christmas Tree Lighting and Sing-Along
5pm, Herndon Town Hall Square
Carols, tree lighting, and a visit from Santa.
Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-Along
4pm, The Filene Center at Wolf Trap, Vienna
This free annual musical celebration hosts a performance by the United States Marine Band and a sing-along of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with choir and vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014
Run With Santa 5K
8:30am, Reston Town Center
Wear your most festive holiday costume as you run, and bring your kids for the free kids fun run.
Holiday Open House at Walker Nature Center
1pm-3pm, 11450 Glade Dr, Reston
Tour Reston’s nature center while enjoying holiday refreshments, live music, and a family sing-along.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014
Join Santa on a Train Ride
12pm-6pm, Lake Fairfax Park, Reston
Train rides, crafts, and holiday decorations add to the fun when kids meet and greet Santa at Lake Fairfax Park.
Pet Photos with Santa
2pm-4pm, PetMAC adoption center, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Bring your dog to the newly opened PetMAC, and give him a chance to ask Santa for Greenies and tennis balls. Call 703-908-7387 to make an appt.
Santa at Colvin Run Mill
3pm-6pm, 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls
Visit Santa in the mill and see the Christmas tree trimmed with Victorian decorations. Join the costumed 49th Virginia Volunteer Infantry caroling around a bonfire while roasting marshmallows.
Christmas Concert at Washington Plaza Baptist Church
4pm-5:30pm, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
The theme of this year’s concert is “Peace on Earth.”
Herndon Holiday Model Train Show
10am-5pm Sat. and Sun., Herndon Municipal Center, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
Eighth annual model train show, Depot/Museum and Caboose Open House. Free admission and parking.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2014
Holiday Sparkle at Reston Art Gallery and Studios
2pm-4pm, Lake Anne Plaza
View fine art, buy gifts, and enjoy cookies and other refreshments at the waterfront gallery on the Plaza.
Herndon Holiday Model Train Show
10am-5pm Sat. and Sun., Herndon Municipal Center, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
Eighth annual model train show, Depot/Museum and Caboose Open House. Free admission and parking.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014
Chanukah Outdoor Festival
5:30pm, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Chabad of Reston-Herndon will host a lighting of a lakeside menorah. Each year the menorah is a work of art, created out of something unusual and meaningful. This year it will be constructed of cans of food to be donated to the needy. After the menorah lighting, gather in the community center at Lake Anne for latkes and donuts.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2014
Tour de Lights
4:30pm, begins at Lake Anne Plaza’s parking lot, Reston
Join Reston Association’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee for a bike tour around Reston to see all the holiday lights. All ages are welcome at this free event.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
Chanukah on the Green
5:30pm, Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
Giant Menorah lighting, refreshments, and raffle at this free community celebration.
Santa waterskis on the Potomac River
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2014
Water Skiing Santa
1pm, Old Town Alexandria waterfront between King Street and Oronoco Street
Spend Christmas Eve at Alexandria’s waterfront for a spectacular show by the Waterskiing Santa and his wakeboarding reindeer, plus flying elves, the Grinch and his friends, Frosty the Snowman, and Jack Frost.
ONGOING
Reston Town Center Holiday Performances
Saturdays and Sundays, Dec 6 – Dec 21, Reston Town Center
Between Market Street and Democracy Drive (across from Starbucks) Come and enjoy holiday songs outside at the Reston Town Center South Market Promenade, by a variety of community performers.
Reston Town Center Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Saturdays in December, 4-9pm, Reston Town Center
Departs on Market Street in front of Talbots. Children under 5 ride free. All proceeds benefit local charities.
Reston Town Center Mini Train Rides
Sundays in December, 12-4pm, Reston Town Center
Children’s train departs in front of Talbots on Market Street. Donated proceeds benefit local charities.
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion
Daily throughout winter, Reston Town Center
The beautifully decorated Christmas season is the perfect time to take a spin around this outdoor ice rink.
Gingerbread village at the Hyatt at Reston Town Center
Hyatt Gingerbread Village
Daily, Thanksgiving through Christmas, Hyatt lobby at Reston Town Center
A joint effort between the hotel’s engineering and kitchen staffs, this village is created of giant gingerbread sheets, candy, and whipped cream. Santa’s railroad track runs through the village.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
Nightly, Nov 14-Jan 4, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna
Over 500,000 LED lights transform of Meadowlark’s gardens into a winter wonderland. Marvel at the two story animated fountain, stroll past the Gingerbread Village, and explore the beauty of nature like you’ve never seen it.
Tysons Corner Center Christmas Market and Winterfest
Dec 5 – Dec 14, Tysons Corner Center Outdoor Plaza
This festival at the new Tysons Plaza will include 30 vendors and a spectacular Christmas tree, entertainment, and beer garden.
National Christmas Tree
Daily throughout December, National Ellipse, Washington, DC
This Christmas tree, Menorah, and festival opposite the White House is a beloved annual tradition. The National Christmas tree is surrounded by the Christmas Pathway of Peace, a ring of decorated trees that represent each U.S. state and territory.
ICE! holiday show at the Gaylord Resort at National Harbor
ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman
Daily throughout December, Gaylord Resort, National Harbor, MD
In this spectacular annual ice show, Frosty the Snowman is brought to life in more than two million pounds of colorful ice. Walk through this classic Christmas story, slide down ice slides over two stories high, and watch the artisans as they create these frozen marvels.
Holiday Model Train Display at Colvin Run Mill
Saturdays and Sundays, Dec 20-28, 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls
Children love this free model train show. Watch G-gauge trains wind their way through a miniature western town in the Colvin Run Barn.
ZooLights at the National Zoo
Nov 28, 2014 – Jan 1, 2015 (Except Dec 24, 25, 31), National Zoo, Washington, DC
More than 500,000 LED lights that transform the National Zoo into a winter wonderland. New this year will be a dazzling light show set to music.
Nutcracker
November 29, 2014 – December 28, 2014, Warner Theater, Washington, DC
Set in 1882 Georgetown, this gorgeous production showcases the grandeur of The Washington Ballet’s international roster of dancers and majesty of Tchaikovsky’s music. Replete with swirling snowflakes, cherry blossoms and historical characters, including George Washington as the heroic nutcracker, TWB’s The Nutcracker has become a tradition for generations of family and friends to celebrate the holidays.
Did we miss any great holiday events? Which ones are you most looking forward to?
For more information about winter fun in Reston, don’t miss our ten facts you probably didn’t know about ice skating at Reston Town Center.