Mid-summer is here, and the Reston area offers lots of fun ways to distract you from the heat. Now is the time for free concerts, outdoor movies, free children’s entertainment, and more. Here’s what’s happening this month in Reston, Herndon, and Great Falls.
FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016
Friday Night Live – Turtle Recall + Southbay
6:30-10:30pm: Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
This weekly concert series features local and regional bands. FREE.
SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2016
Reston Concerts on the Town – Chuck Redd and Friends
7:30-10pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This week’s band performs jazz, bossa nova, and American standards. FREE.
SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2016
Free Yoga on the Plaza
9:30-10:30am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Talented yoga instructors will lead you through one hour of exercise by the lake to the tune of fun music. Bring your own mat and water. FREE.
Concerts on the Green — Tom Principato
6-8pm: Great Falls Village Green, Great Falls
Enjoy a grassy park setting with a picnic as you enjoy live music. FREE.
Reston’s official fireworks show takes place at Lake Fairfax, but you can usually find unofficial fireworks at the community lakes, too.
MONDAY, JULY 4, 2016
4th of July Hometown Celebration and Parade
8am-1pm: Great Falls Village Centre, Great Falls
Holiday celebrations include a 5k race, a children’s parade, the main parade, field games, food, and other festivities. FREE.
4th of July at Lake Fairfax
10am-dark: Lake Fairfax Park, Reston
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a water park, carousel, puppet show, rental boats, live music, and food vendors. Fireworks begin at dusk. Parking is $5 per car, and activities may have additional costs.
4th of July Hometown Celebration and Parade
8am-1pm: Great Falls Village Centre, Great Falls
Holiday celebrations include a 5k race, a children’s parade, the main parade, field games, food, and other festivities. FREE.
4th of July Celebration in Herndon
6:30pm-dark: Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon
Celebrate with games, live music, children’s activities, and festival foods. Fireworks begin at dark. FREE, but food is available for sale.
Great Falls Fireworks Show
Sundown: Turner Farm Park, Great Falls
Gates open at 6pm, and live music, games, contests and food trucks will entertain until the Big Show gets underway just after dusk. FREE.
TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016
Weekly Children’s Show at Lake Anne
11-11:45am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
This week’s entertainment is Jorge’s Kids’ Songs. FREE.
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016
Take a Break Concert Series
7-9pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and enjoy music by the lake. This week’s performer is Cheick Hamala Diabate, playing traditional West African music. FREE.
FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016
Friday Night Live – Kristen & the Noise
6:30-10:30pm: Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
This weekly concert series features local and regional bands. FREE.
Summer Film Festival – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Sundown: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ferris Bueller with a lakeside showing of the movie. Bring chairs or a picnic blanket. FREE.
The seventh annual Ukulele Festival takes place at Lake Anne on Saturday, July 9th.
SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2016
7th Annual Ukulele Festival
10:30am-6pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
The festival features performances by several acclaimed ukulele musicians, other family friendly activities. The event features a wide variety of music genres ranging from blues, traditional Hawaiian, swing, to folk. The festival will begin with an open jam session at Cafe Monmartre, and then a series of live performances in the Plaza. FREE.
Reston Concerts on the Town – Bio Ritmo
7:30-10pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This week’s band performs salsa music. FREE.
SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2016
Free Yoga on the Plaza
9:30-10:30am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Talented yoga instructors will lead you through one hour of exercise by the lake to the tune of fun music. Bring your own mat and water. FREE.
Concerts on the Green — Emma Bailey
6-8pm: Great Falls Village Green, Great Falls
Enjoy a grassy park setting with a picnic as you enjoy live music. FREE.
TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016
Weekly Children’s Show at Lake Anne
11-11:45am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
This week’s entertainment is Percussion Discussion. FREE.
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
Take a Break Concert Series
7-9pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and enjoy music by the lake. This week’s performer is Four Star Combo, playing vintage rockabilly honky tonk. FREE.
SummerStage at Reston Station – Cristian Perez Band
6:30-8:30pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
Every Friday night in the summer, Reston Station will host a live concert with food trucks, pop-ups, and children’s activities. FREE.
Friday Night Live – Crazy in Stereo + Six to Midnight
6:30-10:30pm: Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
This weekly concert series features local and regional bands. FREE.
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016
Family Fun Entertainment Series at Reston Town Square Park – Rocknoceros
10-10:45am: Town Square Park, Reston Town Center
This popular band from the DC area will perform their beloved original songs for children. FREE.
Reston Concerts on the Town – Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
7:30-10pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
This jazz crooner is a winner of America’s Got Talent. FREE.
Movies Under Our Stars – Zootopia
8:30pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
On Saturdays in the summer, Reston Station hosts outdoor movies with food trucks, pop-ups, and children’s activities. FREE.
Every Saturday in the summertime, the Great Falls Village Centre hosts free concerts on the Green.
SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016
Free Yoga on the Plaza
9:30-10:30am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Talented yoga instructors will lead you through one hour of exercise by the lake to the tune of fun music. Bring your own mat and water. FREE.
Concerts on the Green — Jr. Cline & The Recliners
6-8pm: Great Falls Village Green, Great Falls
Enjoy a grassy park setting with a picnic as you enjoy live music. FREE.
Sundays in the Park – Akemi Takayama & Donovan Stokes
6:30-7:30pm: Town Square Park, Reston Town Center
Musicians from Shenandoah Conservatory will perform Bottesini’s “Grand Duo Concertante” for violin and double bass as well as selections from the Baroque era. FREE.
MONDAY, JULY 18, 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.
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016
Weekly Children’s Show at Lake Anne
11-11:45am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
This week’s entertainment is Groovy Nate. FREE.
Zoosday
4-7pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
On Tuesday evenings in the summer, the Pavilion turns into a petting zoo with kid-friendly activities such as Legos and Play-Doh. FREE.
Barefoot on the Plaza
7-8pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
Beloved Yoga is offering weekly free outdoor classes during the summer. Bring your mat or borrow one of theirs. FREE.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016
Dog Days of Summer
4-7pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
On Wednesday evenings in the summer, the Pavilion turns into a dog park with toys, treats, wading pools, and giveaways. FREE.
Bach to Rock Children’s Music on the Plaza
11-11:45am: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
A local music education group will perform for children. FREE.
Take a Break Concert Series
7-9pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and enjoy music by the lake. This week’s show is Dance Night with Cedar Creek, with country line dance demonstration. FREE.
You can see free outdoor movies at Lake Anne and Reston Station during the summer months.
SummerStage at Reston Station – Alfredo Mojica & Friends
6:30-8:30pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
Every Friday night in the summer, Reston Station will host a live concert with food trucks, pop-ups, and children’s activities. FREE.
Friday Night Live – The Reflex
6:30-10:30pm: Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
This weekly concert series features local and regional bands. FREE.
Summer Film Festival – Toy Story
Sundown: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Bring the kids for an evening at the lake with Toy Story. Bring chairs or a picnic blanket. FREE.
SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016
Family Fun Entertainment Series at Reston Town Square Park – Magic by Geo
10-10:45am: Town Square Park, Reston Town Center
A magician will perform a family-friendly show in the park. FREE.
Reston Concerts on the Town – The Congress
7:30-10pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
The Congress has a sound that’s equal parts rock & roll, old-school soul music, and outlaw country. FREE.
Movies Under Our Stars – Aladdin
8:30pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
On Saturdays in the summer, Reston Station hosts outdoor movies with food trucks, pop-ups, and children’s activities. FREE.
SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2016
Free Yoga on the Plaza
9:30-10:30am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Talented yoga instructors will lead you through one hour of exercise by the lake to the tune of fun music. Bring your own mat and water. FREE.
Concerts on the Green — South Bay
6-8pm: Great Falls Village Green, Great Falls
Enjoy a grassy park setting with a picnic as you enjoy live music. FREE.
Sundays in the Park – Shenandoah Conservatory Saxophone Quartet
6:30-7:30pm: Town Square Park, Reston Town Center
Musicians from Shenandoah Conservatory will perform an eclectic mix of music from the Baroque era, Broadway, and Belle Époque. FREE.
MONDAY, JULY 25, 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.
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Weekly Children’s Show at Lake Anne
11-11:45am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
This week’s entertainment is Professor Fizzwiffle. FREE.
Zoosday
4-7pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
On Tuesday evenings in the summer, the Pavilion turns into a petting zoo with kid-friendly activities such as Legos and Play-Doh. FREE.
Barefoot on the Plaza
7-8pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
Beloved Yoga is offering weekly free outdoor classes during the summer. Bring your mat or borrow one of theirs. FREE.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016
Dog Days of Summer
4-7pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
On Wednesday evenings in the summer, the Pavilion turns into a dog park with toys, treats, wading pools, and giveaways. FREE.
Take a Break Concert Series
7-9pm: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and enjoy music by the lake. This week’s band is Fresh Air, performing Motown and 60s classics. FREE.
SummerStage at Reston Station – Bad Influence
6:30-8:30pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
Every Friday night in the summer, Reston Station will host a live concert with food trucks, pop-ups, and children’s activities. FREE.
Friday Night Live – Herr Metal + Dr FU
6:30-10:30pm: Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon
This weekly concert series features local and regional bands. FREE.
Reston Town Center hosts frequent free fitness classes, including National Dance Day on July 30th.
SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2016
National Dance Day – BANGathon with Athleta
9:30-11:30am: Reston Town Center Pavilion
BANG Power Dance is a new, high-intensity dance fitness workout that combines urban dance, interval training, and weighted gloves. FREE; RSVP requested.
Family Fun Entertainment Series at Reston Town Square Park – Mark Lohr
10-10:45am: Town Square Park, Reston Town Center
Mark Lohr will perform a vaudeville show with audience participation, circus skills, and a sprinkling of magic. FREE.
Reston Concerts on the Town – Unity Reggae Band
7:30-10pm: Reston Town Center Pavilion
Unity Reggae Band will perform a mix of original roots-based reggae and cover songs. FREE.
Movies Under Our Stars – Cinderella
8:30pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
On Saturdays in the summer, Reston Station hosts outdoor movies with food trucks, pop-ups, and children’s activities. FREE.
SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016
Free Yoga on the Plaza
9:30-10:30am: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Talented yoga instructors will lead you through one hour of exercise by the lake to the tune of fun music. Bring your own mat and water. FREE.
Concerts on the Green — The Morrison Brothers
6-8pm: Great Falls Village Green, Great Falls
Enjoy a grassy park setting with a picnic as you enjoy live music. FREE.
Sundays in the Park – Shenandoah Conservatory Brass Quintet
6:30-7:30pm: Town Square Park, Reston Town Center
Musicians from Shenandoah Conservatory will perform Handel, Debussy, and Sousa to Leonard Bernstein and Fats Waller. FREE.
Photo credit: Charlotte Geary
Related articles:
The 2016 Reston Summer Bucket List
The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Things to Do in the Reston Area
A Perfectly Relaxed Summer Night at a Great Falls Concert on the Green
Photo Gallery: Reston in the Summer of 2015
Photo Gallery: Surf Reston Demonstrates Paddleboarding for a CBS TV Show