FREE Fun Things to Do in Reston
Places
Reston Museum
Info: 703-709-7700 www.restonmuseum.org
1639 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
Open all year round, Tuesdays through Sundays, 12 – 5 pm
Learn about Reston’s story! Photos and exhibits depict Reston’s founding and development from 1961 to present. Check the schedule for special programs and monthly walks in different areas of Reston.
Children’s Art Workshops
Reston Museum www.restonmuseum.org
1639 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
Every Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm
Artist Pat Macintyre presents free make-and-take art projects for children (with adult accompaniment).
Lake Anne Village Center
The historic heart and soul of Reston
1609 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190 www.lakeanneplaza.com
Take a seat beside Bronze Bob – the “Untold Stories” sculpture placed in 2004 to commemorate the 90th birthday of Reston’s founder, Robert E. Simon, Jr. See unique architecture and the Fonseca sculptures that bring a sense of fun to the plaza. Take a half-hour walk around the lake through the neighborhoods that typify Reston’s original development. End up back at the plaza to relax and enjoy the view by the dock.
Reston Town Center – Fountain Square
11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190
Go downtown in Reston! Fountain Square is an open civic plaza crowned by the Mercury Fountain, designed by Brazilian-born sculptor, Saint Clair Cemin. The 20-foot fountain is topped with a bronze figure of Mercury, the Greek god of communications and commerce, with water flowing from his bronze ‘trumpets’ along the column. Make a wish, or just take pleasure in this cool, inviting spot to relax and enjoy the view. Directly across the street is the open-air glass Pavilion, a hub for special events of all sizes and ice-skating in winter.
Reston Town Square
12000 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190
Meet friends and take a break in the amphitheatre-style park with a fine view of the ‘dancing’ fountain and surrounding urban core of Reston. Live music is scheduled on occasion.
Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)
12001 Market Street, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20190
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm
Curated exhibitions of contemporary works by regional and national artists are open to the public all year round. Check the schedule for opening receptions – all are welcome!
Annual Events - Listed by season
Polar Plunge
Lake Anne Village Center www.lakeanneplaza.com
Early February
Watch brave plungers jump into Lake Anne to raise funds for Camp Sunshine.
Founders Day
Lake Anne Village Center - Reston Museum and on the Plaza
Info: 703-709-7700 www.restonmuseum.org
Every April (1st Saturday after Bob Simon’s April 10 birthday, excluding Easter weekend)
In celebration of Reston founder, Robert E. Simon, Jr., local dignitaries and residents gather at the historic heart of Reston for special presentations, entertainment, an installation of commemorative bricks on the plaza, and an open reception at Reston Museum.
Pet Fiesta
1st Saturday in May, 10 am – 4 pm
There’s no admission fee to see the annual celebration of pets and pet owners features contests, exhibitors, pet rescue groups, a Super Pet Adoption, and live entertainment.
Bike to Work Day
Friday, mid-May, 6 am – 9 am www.waba.org
Join thousands in commuting by bicycle. This particular day has special events, assistance and information along the way. Reston Town Center Pavilion is one of the pit stops.
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival™
Reston Town Center
Info: 703-471-9242 www.restonarts.org
1st weekend before Memorial Day in May
See an outdoor exhibition of fine art and fine craft by 200 artists from across the nation in this top-ranked, juried show, with live music and more. An annual event presented by Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) since 1991.
Monday Morning Music for Kids
Reston Town Center Pavilion www.restontowncenter.com
May to mid-October, 10 am
Free interactive music performances for children.
Reston Concerts on the Town
Reston Town Center www.restontowncenter.com
Concert Hotline: 703-912-4062
Every Saturday night, June through August 7:30 – 10 pm
Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy free live bands, from world music, to big bands, in the Pavilion.
Take a Break Concerts
Lake Anne Village Center www.lakeanneplaza.com
June through August, every Thursday, 7 pm – 9 pm
Bring a lawn chair and a picnic basket and enjoy free outdoor concerts featuring live bands of all styles – a wonderful way to spend an evening under the stars. Presented by the Reston Community Center in cooperation with MSE Productions, Inc.
Children’s Shows at Lake Anne
Lake Anne Village Center www.lakeanneplaza.com
June through August, every Tuesday and Thursday, 11 – 11:30 am.
Clowns, magicians, singers, and more perform free half-hour shows twice a week through summer.
Reston Grand Prix
Reston Town Center www.restontowncenter.com
Last weekend in June
Experience the speed and thrills of races featuring the mid-Atlantic’s top men and women bicycling competitors.
Jazz & Blues Festival
Lake Anne Village Center www.lakeanneplaza.com
Saturday in early October, 12 pm – 6 pm
Relax on the plaza and enjoy free live performances by the DC region’s favorite jazz and blues bands.
Fall for Lake Anne
Lake Anne Village Center www.lakeanneplaza.com
Last Saturday in October, 12 pm – 4 pm
Family fun with live entertainment, craft-making for children, and trick-or-treating on the plaza. Presented by Lake Anne Merchants.
Run with Alan Webb
Reston Town Center www.restontowncenter.com
Friday after Thanksgiving, 8 am
Toddlers to teens run races with local hero and Olympian, Alan Webb, U.S. mile record-holder (3:46). Registration and watching the fun are free!
Reston Holiday Parade
Reston Town Center www.restontowncenter.com
Friday after Thanksgiving, 11 am
Welcome the holiday season with this one-of-a-kind, one-hour parade along Market Street in downtown Reston. Huge float balloons, musical groups, community groups, antiques cars and more hail the arrival of Santa and Mrs.. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage.
Visit with Santa
Reston Town Center www.restontowncenter.com
Day after Thanksgiving, 12:30 – 4:30 pm
After the parade, children can tell Santa their wishes.
Tree Lighting and Sing Along
Reston Town Center www.restontowncenter.com
Friday after Thanksgiving, 6 – 6:30 pm
See Santa Claus magically light up Reston Town Center and the huge Christmas tree, followed by a sing along of traditional holiday songs.
Lake Anne Heralds the Holidays
Lake Anne Village Center www.lakeanneplaza.com
First Saturday in December, 11 am – 1 pm
Petting zoo, ornament-making for children, entertainment, and the arrival of Santa by barge to visit with children on the plaza. Presented by Lake Anne Merchants.
Light Up Lake Anne!
Lake Anne Village Center www.lakeanneplaza.com
First Saturday in December, 6 – 6:30 pm
Enjoy the tree lighting and caroling, and see the lakefront, the plaza and a flotilla of boats lit up for the holidays, complementing the “heart and soul of Reston”. Presented by Friends of Lake Anne.
See a Car Show
Reston Town Center www.restontowncenter.com
Classic car enthusiasts gather and show their gorgeous Porsches, Jaguars, and more at various times of the year.
