As summer approaches, many of this area’s most fun events are returning. Highlights this month include the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, the reopening of local pools and water parks, and Memorial Day celebrations. Here’s what’s happening this month in Reston, Herndon, and surrounding areas of Northern Virginia.
One of the biggest local events this month is the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, which will take place May 21-22, 2016 at Reston Town Center.
SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2016
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.
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016
Mr. Knick Knack! Children’s Performance
10:30-11:15am: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This popular musician performs weekly to a crowd of children and their grownups. FREE.
Herndon Truck Days give children a chance to climb aboard construction vehicles on May 5-6, 2016.
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016
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, with donation of non-perishable food requested.
Food Truck Thursdays
11am-2pm: Reston Town Square Park, Reston Town Center
The first Thursday of each month, a variety of food truck vendors provide lunch and dessert options.
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016
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.
The weekly Reston Farmers Market returns to Lake Anne on May 7, 2016.
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016
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.
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.
Spring Festival
1-5pm: Walker Nature Center, Reston
This annual festival will include acoustic music, live animals, craft making for kids, displays and information from environmental groups, as well as fishing and canoe/kayak rentals on Lake Audubon. The festival is FREE, with a $5 fee for boat rentals.
Reston Chorale – At the Hop: Those Fabulous Fifties!
4:30pm and 7:30pm: CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods
Bop to the beat of the fabulous 1950s as The Reston Chorale steps back in time to the days of sock hops, soda fountains and rock and roll. Tickets are $20-$25, kids are free.
Make a mom happy on Mother’s Day by cheering for her kids in the Reston Youth Triathlon on May 8, 2016.
SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016
Mother’s Day
Several local restaurants will be offering Mother’s Day brunches, including Il Fornaio, Tavern64, M&S Grill, Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, and more.
Reston Youth Triathlon
8am: starting at Ridge Heights pool, Reston
Kids aged 6-14 will swim, bike, and run in this popular community event.
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2016
Mr. Knick Knack! Children’s Performance
10:30-11:15am: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This popular musician performs weekly to a crowd of children and their grownups. FREE.
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2016
Community Yard Sale
8:30am-12pm: One Reston Crescent, 12000 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston
Ninety-five families will be selling a variety of items, so this event is a great opportunity to find things for a new home or a college dorm.
Chesapeake Dock Diving Dogs Demonstration
1-4pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
World Champion dogs from the Chesapeake Dock Diving Dog Club will entertain spectators with leaps and jumps into the lake. FREE.
Classical Ballet Theater
7:30pm: CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods
An evening of beautiful contemporary and classical dance presented by the very best emerging artists in Northern Virginia. Tickets are $22.
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2016
Mr. Knick Knack! Children’s Performance
10:30-11:15am: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This popular musician performs weekly to a crowd of children and their grownups. FREE.
Boats will be available for rent on Lake Anne starting May 19, 2016.
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016
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.
Bike to Work Day
6:30-9am: Reston-Wiehle East Metrorail Station
This DC Metro-wide event will include a pit stop in Reston, with refreshments, t-shirts, and prizes. FREE, register online.
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 $100 each.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company – The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)
8pm: CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods
From the high-brow to the low, The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) covers comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes and Shakespeare and Molière (Is Molière funny? Why not?) to Vaudeville and Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show and Anthony Weiner. Tickets are $25-$50.
The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival comes to Reston Town Center the weekend of May 21-22, 2016.
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
10am-6pm: Reston Town Center
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. $5 donation suggested for admission.
TEDxHerndon
9am-5pm: Herndon Middle School, Herndon
TEDxHerndon is an independently organized TED event based in Herndon, Virginia. The speakers are innovators, leaders, and social changemakers with great ideas worth spreading. Tickets are $40-$45.
Korean Bell Garden Celebration
11am-12:30pm: Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna
This festival will feature traditional Korean dance performances, music, a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, traditional Korean clothing, Korean games, complimentary Korean food, and the ringing of the 6,000 pound Korean bell. Admission to the Garden and this event are FREE from 10am-12:30pm.
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.
Ballet: Swan Lake
2pm and 6pm: South Lakes High School Theater, Reston
Skye Ballet Center is presenting full-length performances of the classic ballet, Swan Lake. Tickets are $20-$25.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company – The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)
8pm: CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods
From the high-brow to the low, The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) covers comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes and Shakespeare and Molière (Is Molière funny? Why not?) to Vaudeville and Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show and Anthony Weiner. Tickets are $25-$50.
Try out the latest in stand up paddleboards, and see demos of SUP yoga and lacrosse at Lake Anne on May 22, 2016.
SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
10am-5pm: Reston Town Center
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. $5 donation suggested for admission.
Stand Up Paddleboard Demo and Test Ride
11am-4pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Try out the latest in inflatable stand up paddleboards from the Red Paddle Co. Events will include a SUP yoga demonstration and a Paddle Polo demonstration featuring local youth lacrosse players. FREE.
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016
Mr. Knick Knack! Children’s Performance
10:30-11:15am: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This popular musician performs weekly to a crowd of children and their grownups. FREE.
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016
Wine Tasting at the Nature House
4:30-6pm: Walker Nature Center, Reston
This event for ages 55+ will offer red and white wines along with a variety of meats, cheeses and crackers inside the lovely Nature House. Tour the gardens and accessible paths with a naturalist and look for spring wildflowers and birds. Registration is $12-$16.
FRIDAY 27, 2016
Ravel Dance Studio – Coppélia and Jukebox
7:30pm: CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods
A performance by dancers of the Ravel Dance Studio, which educates young dancers through high school in classical ballet. Tickets are $20.
Reston Association pools open for the summer season on Saturday, May 28, 2016.
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016
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.
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.
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.
Star-Spangled Sing Along with The Reston Chorale
2-3pm: Reston Town Center
All are welcome to take part in a free sing-along of patriotic music in a salute to the troops, plus children’s activities and refreshments. Donations of items for troop care packages are welcomed.
Ravel Dance Studio – Coppélia and Jukebox
7:30pm: CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods
A performance by dancers of the Ravel Dance Studio, which educates young dancers through high school in classical ballet. Tickets are $20.
The Jim McDonnell Lake Swim takes place on Lake Audubon every Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2016
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim: Races
6am-12pm: 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.
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.
MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016
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.
Mr. Knick Knack! Children’s Performance
10:30-11:15am: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This popular musician performs weekly to a crowd of children and their grownups. FREE.
Related articles:
Don’t Miss It: The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at Reston Town Center
Photo Gallery: The 2015 Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
From Taiwan to Reston in Pursuit of a Dream: Get to Know Shu-Chen Cuff of Gin Dance Company
Water Safety Tips from the Team at Goldfish Swim School
Chemistry Doesn’t Get More Fun Than This: Nitro’s Creamery at the Reston Farmers Market
Ten Fun Facts About Patrick Dougherty’s Monumental New Sculpture at Reston Town Center
Photo Gallery: Chesapeake DockDogs at Lake Anne
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Photo credit for all images: Charlotte Geary. All rights reserved.
