Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, Nov. 26. The South Lakes Turkey Day 5K, a Lake Fairfax trot Nov. 29, county closures, bus service and trash pickup in Reston.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: Fairfax County’s trash holiday page, library closing dates, park holiday hours and Fairfax Connector holiday schedules, the FCPS 2026-27 calendar and each race organizer.

Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, Nov. 26. Reston has no town government, so the holiday closures that matter are Fairfax County’s: libraries shut Thursday and Friday, rec centers open only in the morning on Thanksgiving, and buses run a reduced schedule both days. Fairfax County Public Schools are off Wednesday through Friday. The morning starts with a turkey trot at South Lakes High School, and the holiday weekend ends with another at Lake Fairfax Park.

Who to call

  • Fairfax County trash and recycling (county customers): 703-802-3322
  • Fairfax County Park Authority: 703-324-8700
  • Reston Community Center: 703-476-4500
  • Emergency: 911

Turkey trots

=PR= Races Turkey Day 5K and 1 Mile, Thursday, Nov. 26. The Turkey Day race starts and finishes at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive. The 5K starts at 8 a.m., the Tot Trot at 9:10 a.m. and the 1-mile run at 9:15 a.m. Registration on the race page is $40 for the 5K and $30 for the mile, and prices go up after Oct. 30.

EOD Fairfax Turkey Trot 5K and 10K, Sunday, Nov. 29. The EOD Warrior Foundation’s post-Thanksgiving run goes through Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive. The 10K starts at 7:45 a.m. and the 5K at 8 a.m. The 5K is $30 and the 10K $45 until Nov. 15, then $35 and $50, with another $5 on race morning. Parking is at the back of the park by the soccer fields, past the water park and the large lot, the organizer says.

Giving back

Reston Community Center runs its Thanksgiving Drive from Nov. 1 to 25 with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones, the Reston nonprofit that helps local families. RCC says it will post the list of suggested donations and drop-off locations on the drive’s page starting Nov. 1. Businesses and groups that want to be a drop-off site can call RCC’s community events director at 703-390-6159.

What is open and closed

Service Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26 Friday, Nov. 27
Fairfax County Public Library, including Reston Regional Closed Closed
Fairfax County rec centers Open 6 a.m. to noon Regular hours
Lake Fairfax visitor center and marina, Frying Pan Farm Park, nature centers and historic sites Closed See the park holiday page
County golf courses Closed See the course
Fairfax Connector buses Sunday service Holiday weekday service
Fairfax County Public Schools Closed Nov. 25-27 Closed
County trash and recycling pickup Runs as normal Runs as normal

The library’s closing dates follow Fairfax County government’s operating status, the library says. On a holiday weekday schedule, only the Connector routes on the county’s holiday list run; RIBS 1 to 5, the Reston neighborhood routes, are on that list.

Trash pickup

Most Reston homes are not county trash customers. Fairfax County says about 90% of homes countywide use a private hauler, often under a contract held by the homeowners association or cluster, and those companies set their own holiday schedules. For the roughly 10% on county collection, the county says trash, recycling, yard waste and special pickups run on every holiday except Christmas Day. The I-66 Transfer Station keeps holiday hours set on the same page. Our trash and recycling guide explains how to tell which service you have.

The weekend after

The Reston Holiday Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Reston Town Center, and the tree lighting is at 6 p.m. the same day. Details are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page. The Reston Town Center ice rink opens for the season Nov. 6, weather permitting. For holiday shopping hours, see Black Friday and holiday shopping in Reston.

What this means for you

Plan library trips and errands for Wednesday: branches are closed Thursday and Friday. If you are running the Thanksgiving 5K, register before Oct. 30 to lock in the lower price. Check with your hauler or HOA before you roll the cart out on Thursday.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Thanksgiving turkey trot in Reston?

Yes. The =PR= Races Turkey Day 5K starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, with a Tot Trot at 9:10 a.m. and a 1-mile run at 9:15 a.m. The EOD Fairfax Turkey Trot runs at Lake Fairfax Park on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Is Fairfax County trash pickup delayed for Thanksgiving?

Not for county collection customers: Fairfax County says regular trash, recycling and yard waste pickup runs on every holiday except Christmas Day. Most Reston homes use a private hauler, which sets its own holiday schedule.

Are Fairfax County libraries open the day after Thanksgiving?

No. Fairfax County Public Library branches, including Reston Regional, are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, 2026.

Do Fairfax Connector buses run on Thanksgiving?

Yes, on a Sunday schedule on Thursday, Nov. 26. On Friday, Nov. 27, buses run a holiday weekday schedule, and routes not on the holiday list do not run.

When is Fairfax County Public Schools’ Thanksgiving break?

FCPS is closed Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 25-27, 2026, for Thanksgiving break.