May is here, and that means festival season is beginning. This month Reston welcomes back thousands of annual visitors to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. The farmers markets are opening, boat rentals are returning, and summer is just around the corner.
Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015
Reston Farmers Market opens for the season
8am-12pm: Lake Anne Plaza parking lot, Reston
This weekly market includes 32 vendors selling local produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, herbs, flowers, and pastas. It’s open on Saturdays from May through November.
Reston Market opens for the season
9am-1pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
This weekly indie arts market includes a variety of local artists and artisans and their products. Available merchandise varies weekly. The market is open on Saturdays from May through November.
Pirate Fest
10am-5pm: Lake Fairfax Park, Reston
This festival celebrates Virginia’s seafaring past. Dress up as a pirate for the costume contest, and experience the life of a sailor with activity stations, music, and private boat tours. The event is recommended for kids age 4 and up. Admission is $10, and boat rides are $2. Preregistration is required for the boat rides.
Spring Festival
1-5pm: Walker Nature Center, Reston
Reston Association greets springtime with this annual celebration. Acoustic music, live animals, fishing, crafts, native plant sales, and environmental information will all be available. Then head to Lake Audubon for canoe and kayak rentals. The festival is FREE, and boat rentals are $3.
Pet Fiesta
10am-4pm: Reston Town Center, Reston
Dozens of pet rescue groups will have adoptable pets. Live entertainment, a pet fashion show, pet contests, vendors, and a charity walk for homeless animals are some of the highlights of this festival. Bring your dog and maybe even adopt a new member of your family. FREE.
Taste of Merrifield
12-8pm: Mosaic District, Fairfax
If you’ve been wanting to check out the relatively new Mosaic District, here’s your chance to sample food from various restaurants there. They’ll also have a beer garden, live entertainment, pony rides, and children’s activities. FREE.
Chocolate for Elephants Fundraiser
8-10:30pm: Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston Town Center, Reston
An evening of chocolate and charity will benefit the protection of African elephants. Several desserts will be available, and guests are invited to bid on a large variety of silent auction items. Tickets $40 per person.
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015
March for Babies
10am: Reston Town Center, Reston
This popular 4-mile charity walk raises money to help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. Register online or at the event at 9am.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015
Smart Markets Farmers Market opens for the season
3-7pm: The Plaza at Reston Station, 1886 Metro Center Drive, Reston
This year Reston’s Wednesday farmers market has moved to the new Plaza at Reston Station, making it a Metro-friendly option for fresh, local produce and meats.
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015
Herndon Farmers Market opens for the season
8am-12:30pm: 700 block of Lynn Street by the Red Caboose, Herndon
Fifteen local vendors offer a variety of products at this weekly market. It’s open May through November each year.
Herndon Big Truck Days
9am-3pm: Herndon Public Works Complex, 1479 Sterling Road, Herndon
Here’s an opportunity for children and their parents to see Herndon’s big trucks and heavy equipment on display. Light refreshments will be served and souvenirs will be provided to children. FREE.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015
Herndon Big Truck Days
9am-7pm: Herndon Public Works Complex, 1479 Sterling Road, Herndon
Here’s an opportunity for children and their parents to see Herndon’s big trucks and heavy equipment on display. Light refreshments will be served and souvenirs will be provided to children. FREE.
Reston Town Center’s Mercury Fountain
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015
Bike to Work Day
6:30-9am: The Plaza at the Reston-Wiehle Metro Station, Reston
As part of the DC-area’s Bike to Work Day, the Plaza at Reston Station is hosting an official pit stop, where registered attendees can receive free t-shirts and chances to win bicycles and other prizes. FREE.
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival Launch Party
6-8:30pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion, Reston
Celebrate the opening night of the annual Fine Arts Festival at a private party with the festival artists. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and live entertainment. Tickets are $75 each.
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
10am-6pm: Reston Town Center, Reston
This annual event is a Modern Reston favorite! This nationally top-ranked fine art and craft festival typically attracts 30,000+ patrons, and raises money for the Greater Reston Arts Center. View and purchase creations by talented artists from around the country. Meet artists, enjoy dance performances, and explore hands-on art activities for kids. See the new stick sculpture by Patrick Dougherty. $5 donation suggested for admission.
Reston Association’s Community Yard Sale
8:30am-12:30pm: Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston
95 families will be selling items; arrive early to score some great deals. Vendors must pre-register with payment to secure space.
Relay for Life of Reston
1pm-overnight: South Lakes High School, 11400 S Lakes Dr, Reston
Teams will walk around the track throughout the day and night to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Goldfish Swim School Safety Day
2-4:30pm: 12340 Pinecrest Rd. Suite 150, Reston
In honor of Water Safety Month, Goldfish Swim School is hosting its first annual Safety Day, with safety vehicles, demonstration of water safety skills, and snacks. The pool will be open for swimming. FREE and open to the public.
Any Stage Theater presents Hamlet
3pm: Lake Anne Park, North Shore Drive between Moorings Drive and Northgate Square, Reston
A new local theater company presents its first production, an abridged version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. FREE.
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2015
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
10am-5pm: Reston Town Center, Reston
This annual event is a Modern Reston favorite! This nationally top-ranked fine art and craft festival typically attracts 30,000+ patrons, and raises money for the Greater Reston Arts Center. View and purchase creations by talented artists from around the country. Meet artists, enjoy dance performances, and explore hands-on art activities for kids. See the new stick sculpture by Patrick Dougherty. $5 donation suggested for admission.
Boat rentals at Lake Anne Plaza
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015
Reston Association Pools open for the season
15 locations throughout Reston
Most of the RA pools open on Memorial Day weekend for the summer season. You can find a list of the pools and their hours here. Purchase your pool/tennis passes at the RA headquarters or online.
Lake Anne Boat Rentals open for the season
Reston Used Book Shop, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Explore Lake Anne with a kayak, canoe, rowboat, or pedal boat. Rentals are available Thursdays through Sundays until Labor Day weekend. Tickets can be purchased at the Reston Used Book Shop for $6 per hour.
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole open for the season
Lake Fairfax Park 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr. Reston
Reston’s water park has over an acre of slides, sprays, floatables, and interactive play features. Admission $11.25-$14.50. Season passes are available.
Salute the Troops: Patriotic Sing-Along with The Reston Chorale
2pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion, Reston
Take part in a sing-along of patriotic music, to salute America’s troops. The Reston Chorale will collect donated items to send to servicemen and women to boost their morale while deployed. See the list of recommended donations here. Concert is FREE.
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim: Open Water Swim Clinic
7am-10am, Lake Audubon, Reston
Learn the swimming techniques of Chloe Sutton and Larsen Jensen, two of the best open water and distance freestylers in the world.
ViVa Vienna
10am-10pm: Historic Downtown Vienna
This annual Memorial Day celebration offers carnival rides, food, crafts, artists, local history, and live music. Admission is FREE.
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015
Wolf Trap Summer Blast Off
8pm: Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road Vienna, Virginia
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will launch Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts’ summer season with a program of concert band favorites. A fireworks display will follow the concert. FREE.
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim: Races
Lake Audubon, 2070 Twin Branches Road, Reston
The Jim McDonnell Lake Swims are hosted each year on Memorial Day weekend, in honor of Reston Masters’ Swim Team team member Jim McDonnell, who died of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Two races are be held: a 1-mile swim and a 2-mile swim.
ViVa Vienna
10am-10pm: Historic Downtown Vienna
This annual Memorial Day celebration offers carnival rides, food, crafts, artists, local history, and live music. Admission is FREE.
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
ViVa Vienna
10am-6pm: Historic Downtown Vienna
This annual Memorial Day celebration offers carnival rides, food, crafts, artists, local history, and live music. Admission is FREE.
Memorial Day Festival and Parade
9am-5pm: Park Avenue, Falls Church
Festivities include a 3K Fun Run, amusement rides, live entertainment, and a lively parade down Park Avenue. A Veteran’s Ceremony will begin at 11am outside the Community Center. Admission is FREE.
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015
Reston History Lecture Series
7-9pm, Reston Community Center at Lake Anne
A film will be presented on “The Mobil Years – Reston in the 1980’s.” It will be followed by a discussion among panelists who were instrumental in Reston’s development during the Gulf Years.
Herndon Festival
6pm-10pm: Historic Downtown Herndon
Herndon greets the summertime each year with this four-day carnival and concert series. Live music, rides, games, kids activities, fireworks, and 10K/5K races are among the featured activities.
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015
Herndon Festival
5pm-11pm: Historic Downtown Herndon
Herndon greets the summertime each year with this four-day carnival and concert series. Live music, rides, games, kids activities, fireworks, and 10K/5K races are among the featured activities.
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015
Grand Opening Celebration at PetMAC
1-4pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Lake Anne’s new specialty pet store and adoption facility is holding its grand opening celebration with dock diving dogs entertaining the crowds. There will also be face painting, cooking demos, and opportunities for your dog to try dock diving. FREE.
Herndon Festival
10am-11pm: Historic Downtown Herndon
Herndon greets the summertime each year with this four-day carnival and concert series. Live music, rides, games, kids activities, fireworks, and 10K/5K races are among the featured activities. Great Falls Art Festival
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015
Herndon Festival
10am-6pm: Historic Downtown Herndon
Herndon greets the summertime each year with this four-day carnival and concert series. Live music, rides, games, kids activities, fireworks, and 10K/5K races are among the featured activities. Great Falls Art Festival
Related stories:
All articles about the Reston Farmers Market
Modern Reston’s events calendars
Ten Fun Facts About Patrick Dougherty’s Monumental New Sculpture at Reston Town Center
Photo credit for all photos: Charlotte Geary. All rights reserved.
