The free Reston Multicultural Festival draws 12,000-plus to Reston Town Center for three stages of music and dance. 2026: Sept. 19. 2027 date not out yet.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the organizer, Reston Community Center, and its 2026 festival program.

The Reston Multicultural Festival, a free day of world music, dance and craft, is what its organizer calls “Reston’s premier cultural gathering.” The 2026 festival, the 25th, was Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Reston Town Center. Reston Community Center, which presents it, says it draws more than 12,000 people from across the region. RCC had not announced the 2027 date when we checked. We will add it here as soon as it does.

Performances run on three stages with street programming in between, and RCC books National Heritage Fellows, winners of the nation’s highest honor in the traditional arts. In August 2026 the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a proclamation marking the festival’s 25th anniversary, according to the 2026 program.

Who to call

At a glance
Last held Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Next 2027, date not yet announced
Where Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St.
Cost Free
Crowd More than 12,000, RCC says
Presented by Reston Community Center, with Reston Town Center, Reston Town Center Association and BXP

What happens

The 2026 program shows how the day is laid out:

  • Opening ceremony at 11 a.m. on the Pavilion Stage, with the South Lakes High School JROTC color guard and chorus and local officials.
  • Pavilion Stage and Park Stage: back-to-back sets until 6 p.m. In 2026 these ranged from traditional Korean music and dance, Bharatanatyam and West African dance to Andean music, reggae, go-go and Irish music.
  • Cultural Conversations: talks with traditional artists.
  • Market Street Stroll: craft vendors, civic groups, family activities, cultural demonstrations and food from town center restaurants.
  • Roving acts at the fountain and on Explorer Street, such as lion dancers, capoeira and Irish dance.
  • Family activities run by RCC, Reston Association, Reston Regional Library and others, including crafts, face painting, henna and a musical instrument “petting zoo.”

RCC’s vendors, performance schedule and map pages are refreshed for each year’s festival. Reston Association coordinates volunteers.

Parking and getting there

Reston Town Center’s parking page says its garages are free all day Saturday and Sunday, so a garage is the easy choice; the 2026 program map shows the Blue, Orange, Red, Green, Purple, Yellow and Silver garages around the site.

The Reston Town Center Metro station on the Silver Line is the car-free option. We found no street closure notice for the 2026 festival. For the garages, meters and the shuttle from Metro, see our Reston Town Center guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Reston Multicultural Festival 2027?

Reston Community Center had not announced the 2027 date when we checked on Oct. 19, 2026. The 2026 festival was Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Reston Town Center.

Is the Reston Multicultural Festival free?

Yes. Reston Community Center lists the festival as free.

Where is the Reston Multicultural Festival held?

At Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St. Performances are on the Pavilion Stage and the Park Stage, with roving acts at the fountain and on Explorer Street, and vendors along Market Street.

Where do I park for the Reston Multicultural Festival?

Reston Town Center’s garages are free all day on Saturdays and Sundays, and the Silver Line’s Reston Town Center station is nearby.