Reston residents can experience Germany without buying a plane ticket during a holiday market later this week.
The German Armed Forces is scheduled to hold its annual Christkindlmarket at its office at 11150 Sunrise Valley Dr. this Thursday, Dec. 8, from 4-9 p.m.
Each year around the holidays, the office transforms its parking lot into a traditional German outdoor Christmas fair.
In previous years, the festival has included games, crafts to purchase, entertainment and traditional German food and beer.
Though the outdoor event is free, some of the food, beer and merchandise costs money.
Reston Christkindlmarket/Credit: German Armed Forces
Want to feel like you are celebrating the holidays in Bavaria without traveling far?
Then stop by the German Armed Forces annual Christkindlmarket Thursday evening.
Each year, the German Armed Forces, which has an office in Reston (where you can also see a piece of the Berlin Wall on display), turns over the parking lot the office building at 11150 Sunrise Valley Dr. into a traditional German outdoor Christmas fair.
The festival, which runs from 4 to 9 p.m., is fun for the whole family. There are games, crafts to purchase, entertainment and traditional German food and beer.
The event is free, but some of the food, beer and merchandise costs money. Proceeds from the event benefit local charities.
The event is outdoors and happens rain or shine, so dress appropriately.
Reston Christkindlmarket/Credit: German Armed Forces
Reston Town Center ushers in the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 27 with its 25th annual parade, tree lighting, and fun for the whole family.
Here is what you need to know:
The parade, with Macy’s-style balloons, marching bands, dancers, the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents, and Santa and Mrs. Claus, kicks off at 11 a.m. on Market Street. The parade will happen rain or shine.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Susan Ungerer, founder of nonprofit Kids R First, which helps outfit thousands of needy kids with school supplies each year.
The Junior Grand Marshal is Joseph Dagbe, an eighth-grader at Langston Hughes Middle School. Dagbe, selected by LHMS principal Aimee Monticchio, is a straight A student and a member of the basketball club.
Masters of Ceremonies are NBC Washington anchor Angie Goff and chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer. They will announce the Reston Holiday Parade from podiums at two locations on Market Street, opposite the VIP grandstands at Fountain Square and Library Street.
After the parade, the celebrations continue. Santa and Mrs. Claus will stay for visits and photos and a mini-train will be offering rides on Market Street until 4:30 p.m.
Any donation for a 5 x 7 photo will benefit South Lakes High School Chorus.
The Clauses will return at 6:00 p.m. for the Tree Lighting in Fountain Square, which is followed by a half-hour Christmas sing-along.
Horse-drawn carriage rides begin at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit local charities. Departure point is in front of Talbots on Market Street. $5 per person; children 5 and under ride free with adult.
Prior to the parade, the kids’ Gingerbread Man Mile will take place. Visit PR Races for registration and more information.
When is it time to take down and dispose of the Christmas tree? About now, says the National Fire Protection Association.
“Christmas trees are flammable objects. The longer they’re in your home, the more they dry out, making them a significant fire hazard,” said Lorraine Carli, the NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy.
The NFPA says that nearly 40 percent of home fires that begin with Christmas trees occur in January. Although these fires aren’t common, when they do occur, they’re more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 40 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death, as compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home structure fires.
If you receive Fairfax County curbside pickup of trash and recycling, you can recycle your live Christmas tree (less than 8 feet) on your normal collection date. The cost is included as part of your regular, paid collection service.Â
If you are in a private Reston cluster, check with your cluster board or trash service provider to find out specifics for your neighborhood.
For larger trees, contact your collector for recycling instructions.
Christmas trees may also be recycled during the first two weeks in January at the I-66 Transfer Station. There is a small processing fee of $1 per tree. Please remove tree stands, ornaments, tinsel, lights and tree toppers before recycling.
Merry Christmas! Reston Now is off and (hopefully) so are you.
No matter how you celebrate, have a great day. We will be back Friday.
File photo by Ken Knueven
Feel like going out for a little Christmas Day cheer? A selection of Reston-area restaurants will be open Thursday, Dec. 25.
Among them:
Amphora Restaurant (Herndon and Vienna)
Generally, many Asian and Indian restaurants are open Christmas, so check with your favorites or try:
Mama Wok at Tall Oaks
Lakeside Asia at South Lakes
Great China at North Point
Mayuri at Hunters Woods
Know of any others? Add them in the comments.
