Work off all that delicious food you will have consumed the night before by attending the holiday kickoff day at Reston Town Center!
Courtesy of Reston Town Center
Black Friday (Nov. 23) marks the start of the holiday season for Reston Town Center (RTC) and the 22nd annual Reston Holiday Parade will certainly be a highlight. Since 1991, the Reston Holiday Parade has been a post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas tradition for NoVA residents. Massive balloons a la Macy’s Day Parade, festive floats and colorful costumes inspired by favorite games, stories, sports and music will take over Market Street, welcoming the arrival of Santa, Mrs. Claus and forthcoming magical feeling that winter brings. RTC anticipates around 10,000 spectators, as well as 500 procession participants representing 70 different organizations. Featured guests include retired South Lakes High School principal Bruce Butler (who will serve as Grand Marshal) and Reston founder Robert E. Simon, Jr. The parade begins promptly at 11 a.m., but arrive early to get a good spot. Plus, jingle bell lanyards will be passed out to kids before the procession, so they can participate even from the sidelines.
Courtesy of Reston Town Center
The hour-long Reston Holiday Parade won’t be the only attraction. The day actually begins bright and early at 8 a.m. with the Gingerbread Man Mile and Tot Trot fun-run and race of kids (toddlers through high school) to benefit the Neediest Kids charity. Between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m., spend some time with Santa and Mrs. Claus—get a photo snapped to add to your holiday memories—and await the popular Tree Lighting and Sing Along event, beginning at 6 p.m. The Christmas Tree, located in Fountain Square, will be lit, followed by classic holiday songs led by the Reston Chorale. Finally, from 6:30-10 p.m., horse-drawn carriage rides, benefiting Volunteer Fairfax, will be available. Rides cost $5 per person and children 5 and under are free with an accompanying adult.
Why get stuck at home the day after Thanksgiving when there’s so much fun to be had in the area? Take your friends and family, NoVA residents and out-of-towners alike, to Reston Town Center for an enchanted and less-stressed Black Friday.
Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St., Reston
703-689-4699; restontowncenter.com/holidays