Holiday lights near Reston 2026: Meadowlark from Nov. 11, Bull Run from Nov. 14, the town center rink, Run with Santa Dec. 6 and holiday shows at RCC.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: NOVA Parks, Reston Town Center, the Reston Community Center calendar and Reston Association.

The holiday season in Reston starts Nov. 6, when the Reston Town Center ice rink reopens, and the town center’s tree is lit after the holiday parade on Nov. 27. The two big light shows nearby are run by NOVA Parks: a walking trail at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna and a drive-through display at Bull Run in Centreville. Reston Community Center fills December with holiday concerts and shows. The parade and tree lighting have their own page: see Christmas parade and tree lighting in Reston.

Who to call

  • Reston Association (Winterfest): 703-435-6530
  • Reston Community Center box office and events: 703-476-4500
  • Bull Run Festival of Lights: FestivalofLights@nvrpa.org
  • Reston Town Center: info@restontowncenter.com

Light displays

Winterfest at Brown’s Chapel Park (Reston Association). Reston Association’s Winterfest is a walk-through light trail with fire pits and s’mores, an Enchanted Forest, live music, food, vendors and free photos with Santa. In 2025 it ran Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 4-6, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Brown’s Chapel Park. Admission was free for Reston Association members. There was no on-site parking except for drivers with disability placards; free shuttles ran every 10 minutes from the Lake Newport Pool, 11601 Lake Newport Road, and Baron Cameron Park, 11300 Baron Cameron Ave. Dogs were not allowed. The association says Winterfest returns in 2026; dates were not out when this page was checked.

Winter Walk of Lights, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, Nov. 11 to Jan. 3. NOVA Parks’ garden light trail at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court is in its 15th season. Hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. from Nov. 11 to Dec. 3 and 5 to 10 p.m. from Dec. 4 to Jan. 3; admission ends at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $19 online and $24 at the door on the early and January dates. From Dec. 4 to 31, tickets are sold online only, with no door sales. Prices do not include tax and fees.

Bull Run Festival of Lights, Centreville, Nov. 14 to Jan. 3. NOVA Parks’ drive-through show at Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, covers 2.5 miles of displays. It is open daily, weather permitting, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday and holidays. Admission is $30 to $45 a car bought online in advance, depending on the date. The Holiday Village, stable and carnival are included, with extra fees for rides. On Thanksgiving the carnival is closed but the lights and village stay open. NOVA Parks says the weeks just before and after Christmas are the busiest.

Ice skating

The Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion reopens Nov. 6, 2026, and runs through March 14, 2027, weather permitting. Garage parking at the town center is free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, the center says.

Santa, shows and concerts

When Event Where Cost
Saturday, Nov. 21, 3 and 7 p.m. Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) Leila Gordon Theatre, RCC Hunters Woods $25 to $35
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. RCC Holiday Luncheon, a meal with music and dancing RCC Hunters Woods $30 to $45
Saturday, Dec. 5, 4 and 7 p.m. The Reston Chorale: The Wonder of the Season RCC Hunters Woods $25 to $30
Sunday, Dec. 6, 8 to 10 a.m. Run with Santa 5K Reston Town Center Register on RunSignup
Dec. 11-13 Ravel Dance Studio: The Nutcracker, five performances Leila Gordon Theatre $35 to $55
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 to 10:45 a.m. One Hunters Woods: Jingle and Mingle, a holiday sing-along Hunters Woods Plaza Free
Saturday, Dec. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family Swim Fun: Freeze the Day, to start winter break RCC Hunters Woods pool Free

Santa visits in Reston in 2025 included free photos at Reston Association’s Winterfest. Santa also rides in the holiday parade; see the parade page.

Holiday markets

Reston Community Center’s Gifts from the HeART shopping event fills RCC Lake Anne from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and Reston Art Gallery and Studios shows its Holiday Sparkle sale at Lake Anne Plaza through December. Details are on our holiday shopping page.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, and ends at sundown Saturday, Dec. 12, according to the Fairfax County Public Schools calendar. No public menorah lighting in Reston had been announced when this page was checked; we will add one when an organizer posts it.

What this means for you

Buy Meadowlark tickets early if you want a December date: they are online only from Dec. 4 to 31. Bull Run is cheapest bought ahead, and quietest early in the season. Fairfax County Public Schools’ winter break runs Dec. 21 to Jan. 3, so the rink and the light shows are at their busiest those two weeks; weeknights before Dec. 21 are the easier bet.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Christmas lights near Reston?

NOVA Parks runs two big displays nearby: the Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Nov. 11 to Jan. 3, and the drive-through Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, Nov. 14 to Jan. 3. Reston Association’s Winterfest light trail at Brown’s Chapel Park ran Dec. 4-6 in 2025; 2026 dates are not out yet.

When does the Reston Town Center ice rink open?

Reston Town Center says the Ice Skating Pavilion reopens Nov. 6, 2026, and runs through March 14, 2027, weather permitting.

How much is the Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights?

NOVA Parks lists $19 online and $24 at the door from Nov. 11 to Dec. 3 and again Jan. 1-3. From Dec. 4 to 31, tickets are sold online only. Prices do not include tax and fees.

Is there a Run with Santa in Reston?

Yes. The Run with Santa 5K is 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Reston Town Center, with registration on RunSignup.

When is Hanukkah 2026?

Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, and ends at sundown Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, according to the Fairfax County Public Schools calendar.