Memorial Day is this coming Monday, May 30, 2016, and the holiday weekend is filled with celebrations around the area. Whether you’ll spend the weekend honoring the military or welcoming summer, we have ideas for you. Here’s what’s happening in Reston and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia and Washington.
Lake Anne’s summer boat rentals return for the season on May 26th, and are a classic part of summertime in Reston.
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016
Lake Anne Boat Rentals open for the season
4pm-8pm: 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 $8 per hour.
FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016
DC Capital Fair
5-10pm: RFK Stadium, Washington DC
This summer carnival includes rides, games, live entertainment, and traditional fair foods such as funnel cakes, candy apples, and fried candy bars. Ride passes are $20. On-site parking is $5.
Water lovers will rejoice as the pools and water parks reopen on May 28th, and hard-core swimmers can take part in the holiday weekend’s open water swim at Lake Audubon.
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 opens 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. The park is designed for elementary-aged children, but also offers a toddler area. Teens and adults enjoy it, too. Admission $11.25-$14.50. Season passes are available.
Jim McDonnell Lake Swim: Open Water Swim Clinic
7am-12pm, Lake Audubon, Reston
Learn the swimming techniques of some 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
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.
DC Capital Fair
12-10pm: RFK Stadium, Washington DC
This summer carnival includes rides, games, live entertainment, the Great American Wolf Show, and traditional fair foods such as funnel cakes, candy apples, and fried candy bars. Ride passes are $25. On-site parking is $5.
Head to DC on May 29th for Rolling Thunder and the Capitol Building’s Memorial Day concert.
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.
Rolling Thunder
12pm: From the Pentagon (Arlington) to the Vietnam War Memorial (DC) along the Memorial Bridge
This annual motorcycle rally is held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend to call for the government’s recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs). About 900,000 participants and spectators are expected to be involved. FREE.
DC Capital Fair
12-10pm: RFK Stadium, Washington DC
This summer carnival includes rides, games, live entertainment, the Great American Wolf Show, and traditional fair foods such as funnel cakes, candy apples, and fried candy bars. Ride passes are $25. On-site parking is $5.
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.
National Memorial Day Concert
8pm: Capitol Building, Washington
This star-studded tribute to military service will feature appearances by the Beach Boys, Katharine McPhee, Trace Adkins, Alfie Boe, and the National Symphony Orchestra. It will be hosted Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. FREE.
On Memorial Day, May 30th, several military memorials will host wreath-laying ceremonies.
MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016
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.
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.
DC Capital Fair
12-10pm: RFK Stadium, Washington DC
This summer carnival includes rides, games, live entertainment, the Great American Wolf Show, and traditional fair foods such as funnel cakes, candy apples, and fried candy bars. Ride passes are $25. On-site parking is $5.
Alexandria Memorial Day Jazz Festival
1pm-6pm: Waterfront Park, 1 Prince Street, Alexandria
The annual event features big band, swing, and contemporary jazz. Bring a picnic or buy food from the festival’s vendors. In case of inclement weather, the festival will take place at the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium. FREE.
Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
10:30am: Arlington National Cemetery, 214 McNair Road, Arlington
At 11am, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony and concert at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A prelude by the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will begin at 10:30 AM. Attendees are encouraged to be at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or seated in the Amphitheater by 9:30 AM.
National Memorial Day Parade
2pm: Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW, Washington
This annual parade is the largest Memorial Day event in the nation. The parade will include floats, high school marching bands, veterans, service members, local and national celebrities, and more. FREE.
World War II Memorial Ceremony
9am: 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW, Washington
There will be a wreath-laying and speeches. Many surviving WWII veterans will be in attendance. FREE.
Air Force Memorial Wreath Laying
9am: 1 Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington
Activities include the national anthem, invocation, speeches, the laying of the wreath and the sounding of Taps. FREE.
Navy Memorial Wreath Laying
10am: 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington
There will be wreath laying at 10am and 1pm. At 12pm, there will be a concert by the U.S. Navy Band. FREE.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony
1pm: 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington
Thousands of veterans and their families will congregate at The Wall to remember and to honor the U.S. armed forces. FREE.
Related stories:
The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Things to Do in the Reston Area
Surf Reston Makes a Splash on Local Lakes
Water Safety Tips from the Team at Goldfish Swim School
All articles about things to do
Modern Reston’s events calendars
Photo credit: Charlotte Geary. Prints and gifts are available on Charlotte’s site.