things to do

things to do

Hanukkah 2016 Events in the Reston Area

Hanukkah takes place this year from Saturday, December 24 through Sunday, January 1, 2017, and this area offers a variety of ways to celebrate. Here’s what’s happening in Reston and nearby parts of Northern Virginia and DC. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016 Chanukah on Ice 4:30-6pm: Reston Town Center Ice Rink, Reston Ice skate to lively Chanukah music and enjoy…

December 22, 2016

The schedule of events for the 2016 Jingle on Lake Anne

One of Reston’s most adorable holiday celebrations happens this weekend, and it’s one your kids won’t want to miss. Jingle on Lake Anne takes place on Saturday, December 3, 2016, with activities throughout the day. The main event takes place at noon, when Santa arrives by boat to cheering crowds. 2016 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Reston Farmers…

December 1, 2016

The 2016 Guide to Holiday Events in Reston, Northern Virginia, and DC

The holidays have arrived! Here are some of the greatest celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah in Reston and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 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…

November 20, 2016

The Chinese Lantern Festival might be the most beautiful holiday lights show you’ve ever seen

From what I’d heard about it, I expected that this show would be interesting, but I had no idea that the Chinese Lantern Festival was going to be the most amazing holiday lights display in the area. This new event is currently taking place at Roer’s Zoofari in Vienna, and it’s one that I highly recommend. I loved it….

November 19, 2016

Trail Tour: Northern Virginia scenery doesn’t get any better than this Great Falls trail

No series of local trail tours would be complete without this one. I think this is the most beautiful Northern Virginia trail, and if you hike only one local spot, this is the one to choose. When you live only nine miles from a National Park Service site, you should probably go check it out. If you haven’t been to…

November 17, 2016

How Bold Are You? Two Scary Attractions Offer Different Levels of Fright

“How on earth do you do that with a straight face?!” I asked the actress in demon makeup who was glaring at me just a few inches from my face. I couldn’t help myself from grunting some combination of anxious terror and giggly delight. Meanwhile she never broke character, even though I suspect she was relishing her success in making…

October 18, 2016

Trail Tour: A Picture-Perfect Waterfall at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve

I had no idea anything this close to the Beltway could be so beautifully serene. This waterfall along the Potomac River is located at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve in McLean, which is a Fairfax County Park located 25 minutes from Reston Town Center. It’s a gorgeous park, especially as the leaves are changing. The trail is short and…

October 17, 2016

Halloween 2016 Events in the Reston Area of Northern Virginia

This month is full of Halloween events for kids, teens, adults, and even dogs! Here’s what’s happening for Halloween in Reston, Herndon, Great Falls, Vienna, Chantilly, and other parts of Northern Virginia and the DC area. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 Fall Carnival Fun on the Farm and Boo-Stravaganza 6-10pm: Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road,…

October 8, 2016

The 2016 Reston Home Tour Features Local Residences that Embrace Change

I love the creative inspiration of home tours (as well as HGTV, Houzz, and design blogs), but looking at photos of interiors isn’t nearly as interesting as actually walking through real houses. That’s why the annual Reston Home Tour is so fun. It’s a self-guided tour of especially beautiful or fascinating local homes. This year’s tour takes place on…

October 4, 2016

Herndon Arts Week Returns October 10-16, 2016 with a Celebration of Visual and Performing Arts

Next week, from Oct 10-16, Herndon will host a series of free and low-cost events known as Herndon Arts Week. Each year in early October, Arts Herndon celebrates the local art community with a week-long exposition of the Arts, including the visual and performing arts. During this week, special activities are held at ArtSpace Herndon as well…

October 4, 2016

Reston Events in October 2016

You’ve got to love Reston in October; we have great fall events and gorgeous foliage. Highlights this month include Oktoberfest Reston, the Washington West Film Festival, the Reston Home Tour, and lots of family fun for fall and Halloween. Here is your October events calendar for Reston and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia, including…

September 28, 2016

Photo Gallery: The 2016 Reston Multicultural Festival

The Reston Multicultural Festival is an annual celebration of our community’s cultural diversity and probably my favorite local event of the year. With live music, dance performances, colorful costumes, ethnic food, a global market, a book fair, an art exhibit, and kids crafts, this festival has something for everyone. Here are some of my photos from this year’s festival,…

September 25, 2016