November kicks off the winter season in Reston! Highlights this month include the Reston Holiday Parade, the ice skating rink, and a new documentary movie about Reston. Here is your events calendar for November in the Reston area of Northern Virginia, including Great Falls and Herndon.
Reston Town Center greets the winter holiday season with a huge parade on Friday, November 27, 2015.
NOVEMBER 1, 2015 – MARCH, 2016
Reston Town Center Ice Skating
Reston Town Center Pavilion, Reston
The centerpiece of Reston Town Center’s winter season is its beautiful ice rink, and it returns this month! It will be open seven days a week until March. This is one of Reston’s classic family activities, with something for every age, including Rock ‘n Skate on Fridays and Cartoon Skate on Saturday mornings. Skate rentals, lessons, and private parties are available. Come out and enjoy the rink while the temperatures are still mild.
Reston Town Center’s Ice Skating Pavilion opens for the winter season on November 1, 2015.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015
Thanksgiving Food Drive begins
Reston Community Centers, Reston
Patrons, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food and other items from November 1–23 at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods and Lake Anne facilities, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, as well as a variety of other drop-off points throughout the community. Refer to their list of items needed.
Reston Station Family Movie Night: Ghostbusters
7pm: Reston Station Plaza, Reston
Come for a free movie under the stars. There will be food trucks and fun for the whole family. Beer and wine will be permitted on premises. In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be shown indoors. FREE.
Reston Players: Shrek The Musical
8pm: CenterStage at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Reston
For children of all ages! The Reston Players are open their 49th season with the Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure, Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015
Halloween Candy Buy-Back
12-4pm: Tisseront Orthodontics, 11720 Plaza America Drive, Ste. 101, Reston (in the plaza in front of the office)
Looking to unload that leftover Halloween candy? For every pound of donated candy the child/family will receive $1 and Dr. Tisseront will donate $1 to Children’s National Health System. The candy will be boxed and shipped along with letters from the community to our troops overseas. The event will also have hot apple cider, temporary tattoos, balloons, and a raffle.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015
Tysons Winterfest Kickoff
3-7pm: Tysons Corner Center Plaza
Tysons Corner Center will be celebrating the opening of its ice rink, as well as the kickoff to their 2015 Winterfest. This free family event at Tysons Ice Rink begins with Buy One Get One Free skating from 3-7pm. The fun continues with music from DJ Civil as you skate with Slapshot and The Red Rockers starting at 6pm. From 6:30-7:30, take a break from the ice and line up for a free Meet and Greet with Washington Capitals Defenseman, Karl Alzner. There will also be a raffle to win a Chef’s Table Experience from Earls Kitchen + Bar.
Reston Players: Shrek The Musical
8pm: CenterStage at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Reston
For children of all ages! The Reston Players are open their 49th season with the Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure, Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015
Home 4 the Holidays Pet Adoption Fair
11am-4pm: Reston Town Center, Reston
Help a cute, furry friend find a home at the tenth annual adoption fair. Around 40 all-breed and purebred dog rescue organizations will be there with adoptable dogs. There will also be exhibitions, interactive activities, and a visit from Santa Paws. Come support these rescue groups, and perhaps you’ll also find your next best friend.
Reston Players: Shrek The Musical
2pm and 8pm: CenterStage at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Reston
For children of all ages! The Reston Players are open their 49th season with the Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure, Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
Opening Night of Meadowlark Gardens’ 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.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015
Children’s Fall Flea Market
9am-12pm: Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Reston
Help your children aged 6-13 make some money by selling their used toys, books, clothing, and games. You can score some deals for your family while supporting junior entrepreneurs. Reserve a vendor table in advance if your child would like to participate.
Forestville School’s Indoor Street Market
9am-4pm: Forestville Elementary School, 1085 Utterback Store Road, Great Falls
Shop for the holidays or browse the local market. There will be fall plans, Thanksgiving centerpieces, a raffle, a silent auction, jewelry, skin care, a bake sale, BBQ, a henna artists, and more.
Technology Fair
1:30-4:30pm: Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Reston
Want to learn how to Skype or just use the basic commands of your personal technology device? Stop by the 55+ Technology Fair to have questions answered about any device, new or old. There will be volunteers at stations to assist attendees with technology questions from flip phones to iPads and computers. Come learn the basics or advanced tips from the experts – Reston’s very own teens. FREE.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2015
Reston Community Orchestra: Salue to Pavarotti
4pm: Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Reston
The Reston Community Orchestra launches their 28th concert season with a tribute to one of opera’s greats. Featuring pianist and tenor Carlos Alberto Ibay. Admission is FREE, but please bring canned goods to contribute to Reston’s Thanksgiving food drive.
Jazzart Concert
5-7pm: ArtSpace Herndon
Jazz vocalist Kitt Potter will perform to the backdrop of the Ethereal and Natural Reactions exhibit. Kitt will be accompanied by Wayne Wilentz (Shirelles, Marvelettes, SKYY) on piano, David Jernigan on Bass, and Douglas Richardson on drums. Tickets are $15.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015
“Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA” Film Screening
8pm: Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, Reston
Reston Community Center (RCC) and Reston Historic Trust and Museum will present a free community screening of the documentary film Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA. Director Rebekah Wingert-Jabi will introduce the film with brief comments on the process of editing and preparing it for submissions to festivals as the film has undergone significant change since its screening in April 2014. Following the screening, everyone is invited to enjoy light refreshments in the Community Room and share their impressions of the movie and the legacy of Reston’s founder, Robert E. Simon, Jr. FREE.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015
Herndon Turkey Trot
4pm: Herndon Centennial Golf Course, Herndon
This 5K race winds around the beautiful Herndon Centennial Golf Course and on the W&OD Trail. Refreshments, entertainment and door prizes will be available after the race to all runners.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015
Turkey Day 5K
8am: South Lakes High School, Reston
Earn your Thanksgiving calories with this local Turkey Trot race. Choose 5K or 1 mile, and get the kids involved with the free Tot Trot. Race proceeds will go benefit Reston’s Embry Rucker Community Homeless Shelter and the South Lakes High School 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 Town Center will host a full day of winter holiday fun on the day after Thanksgiving.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2015
Holidays are Here!
Reston Town Center
One of the most fun events in Reston takes place each year on the day after Thanksgiving. Festivities include a huge parade, Santa’s arrival, a singalong, and the lighting of the Christmas tree. You don’t want to miss this one! The fun lasts all day:
8:00am: Stores open for Black Friday shopping
8:00am: Ice skating pavilion opens
8:00am: Gingerbread Man Mile children’s race
11:00am: Reston Holiday Parade
12:30pm: Visits and photos with Santa
5:00pm: “Santa’s Frosty Follies” performance
6:00pm: Tree Lighting and singalong
6:30pm: Carriage rides
All day: Hyatt gingerbread village
Related stories:
Ten Fun Facts About Ice Skating at Reston Town Center
Halloween Candy Buy-Back in Reston
Tysons Corner Center’s Christmas Market and Winterfest 2014
Unconventional Turkey Ideas & One Local’s Outrageous Recipe
Thanksgiving Wine Pairings: Talking Shop with Wine Guy Andy Creemer