The last holiday festivities of the season will wrap-up with the Post-Holiday Ugly Sweater Fundraiser Party on Jan. 4.

People are invited to come and bring non-perishable food for the South Lakes High Food Pantry to the Lake Ann Brew House (11401 North Shore Drive). The event is set to run from 1-4 p.m., and people are encouraged to dress in their festive sweaters.

Every drink purchased will donate a dollar to the cause.

Tomorrow (Jan. 4)

• Lake Anne Brew House Saturday Beer Run (9:45 a.m.) — People are welcome to gather in front of Lake Anne Brew House (11424 W. Washington Plaza) and run, jog or walk a lap or two before meeting at the brewhouse for beer, coffee and breakfast pretzels.
• Winter Bird Count (7 a.m. until 2 p.m.) — At the Walker Nature House (11450 Glade Drive), people can join in the effort to count local birds and enjoy a free lunch. This event is for adults only, and people are asked to register.
• Herndon Community Center Open House (7 a.m. until 6 p.m.) — The Herndon Community Center will celebrate its 40th anniversary with free admission all day. There will be activities for all ages between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Sunday (Jan. 5)

• Tea Time (1 and 4 p.m.) — This monthly event invites people to the Elden Tea Shop (714 Pine Street) to enjoy tea, scones and pastries. Tickets are $18.50.
• Sunday Funday (1-4 p.m.) — The Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) will host events for kids and their families. Though activities vary, families can expect to participate in either crafts, a scavenger hunt or another project for kids ages 5-12.

(Updated) In the holiday spirit, the Reston Town Center Holiday Performances this weekend are among several events bringing together people from around the community.

The free event tomorrow (Saturday) will feature two performances. People can listen to the Northern VA Ukulele Ensemble. The last performance of the season will feature Rick Landers playing guitar from 3-3:45 p.m.

The performances are set to take place between Market Street and Democracy Drive.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• 4th Annual Children’s Winter Wonderland (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) — The kids’ wonderland event will take place at the Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Road). Families will be able to enjoy crafts, refreshments, face painting, games and a visit from Santa.
• SBC December Gala (1-3 p.m.) — This event features ballet and musical performances at South Lakes High School (11400 South Lakes Drive). Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for kids.
• Cissa Paz Music (6:30-9:30 p.m.) — Artist Cissa Paz will perform Brazillian music at the Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar (1612 N. Washington Plaza).
• Christmas Party Ho-Ho-Hoedown (8 p.m.-midnight) — Sully’s Pour House (754 Elden Street) is hosting a holiday celebration with a white elephant gift exchange, raffle and an ugly sweater contest.

Sunday (Dec. 22)

• Christmas Orchestra (9-10 a.m.) — This free event at the Herndon United Methodist (701 Bennett Street) gives community members a chance to listen to live instrumental music from their fellow community members.
• Bootcamp, Brunch and Booze: Indoor Winter Series (9-11 a.m.) — This event features a workout from Fitness 2 Go along with brunch from LoKL Gourmet at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Tickets are $25.
• Storytime Social (11 a.m.) — Scrawl Books (11911 Freedom Drive) invites families to a reading of “Let the Children March.” This free event includes snacks and coffee for the adults.

Photo via Reston Community Center Facebook

The holiday tree in Reston Town Center is set to light up this Friday (Nov. 29).

This year’s celebration is set to begin at 5 p.m. with a performance from “The Nutcracker” by the Conservatory Ballet before the official tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m.

A half-hour-long holiday sing-along, in conjunction with the Reston Chorale and a brass quartet, will wrap up the evening after the tree is lit.

Attendees are encouraged to show up early and gather around Market Street near Fountain Square (11921 Freedom Drive).

Songbooks will be provided, and there will be a guest appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Photo via Facebook

In addition to the Holiday events we covered earlier, there’s plenty to do around Reston this weekend. This weekend should be especially busy for the more artistically inclined readers, with dancing, music, and photography events tomorrow and Sunday.

Tomorrow (Dec. 8)

Cookies with Santa (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) — Hot chocolate and cookies will be available for children and adults at an arts and crafts event hosted by the Reston Association at Lake House (11450 Baron Cameron Ave). The program is geared towards children ages 2-12. Admission is $15 for Reston Association members of $20 for non-members.

Irish Dance (12-1 p.m.) — The Foley Academy of Irish Dance will offer a dance performance and lesson at the Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Dr).

Singer Songwriter Crys Matthews (6:30-9:30) — The alternative rock singer-songwriter will be performing at the Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar (1612 Washington Plaza) tomorrow night. Matthew is also scheduled to perform in January at a three-day event for Reston’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.

National Parks Photography Exhibit Reception (7-9 p.m.) — Artspace Herndon (750 Center St) will host a reception for Jim Schlett’s gallery of national park photography. Most of the work was photographed during long walks through the parks around dawn or dusk. The exhibit will run until Jan. 5.

2018 Reston Santa Bar Crawl (8 p.m.-1 a.m.) — The rules for a Santa Bar Crawl are simple: wear a Santa suit, or some other holiday costume, and hit up a series of Santa-friendly bars across Reston. A full list of participating bars is available at the event page.

Sunday (Dec. 9)

Christmas at the Farm — The Frying Pan Farm Park (2739 West Ox Rd) will offer cookie decorating, Sant-driven dractor rides, and more for $10 per person. Sessions at the farm are held throughout the day. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday Afternoon Dance (2:30-4:30 p.m.) — The Reston Community Center (2310 Colts Neck Rd) is hosting a dance for all skill levels, with music ranging from waltz and swing to modern dance selections. Partners are not required. The cost is $5 for Reston residents or $10 for non-Restonians. The event is followed by a County Western Dance from 5:30-8 p.m.

Photo via Facebook

Several holiday events are planned around Reston throughout December.

Every Saturday evening in December, from 4-9 p.m., horse-drawn carriage rides will take visitors on a tour around the Reston Town Center. The carriage rides start in front of Talbots (11900 Market Street).

On Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m., train rides will be available for smaller children. Donations benefiting local charities are requested. The train departs in front of Clyde’s.

On Dec. 2 and 9, the Frying Pan Farm Park will also be hosting Christmas at the Farm. A variety of Christmas-themed activities, including cookie decorating and writing letters to Santa, will be held in sessions throughout the day at the park. Tickets are $10 per person, and children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

• Dec. 1: Gifts from the HeART Exhibit — Artists from Jo Ann Rose Gallery will display and sell original works of art.
• Dec. 1: The Wonder of the Season — The Reston Chorale presents sounds of the season with guest artists Tim King and the Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet. Tickets are available through Reston Chorale.
• Dec. 1: Alternative Gift Market — The Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston will create a market with more than 30 local, national and international nonprofit organizations.  All of the proceeds will go to the participating groups.
• Dec. 1: Jingle on Lake Anne — An ornament and cookie decorating event on Lake Anne, with Santa and his elves arriving by boat and paddle board at noon.
• Dec. 2: Run with Santa 5k — A race around the Reston Town Center starting and ending on Market Street. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. and participants are encouraged to wear ugly Christmas sweaters or Christmas elf costumes.
• Dec. 4: Reston Sings: Handel’s Messiah! — The Reston Chorale will be performing George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” General admission tickets are $15, or $10 with the donation of a new or gently used coat or other winter apparel.
• Dec. 9: Chanukah on Ice & Outdoor Menorah Lighting — An ice skating party is planned to celebrate Chanukah at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. A lighting ceremony is open to all, with a $12 fee to skate. Latkes and donuts will be served.
• Dec. 15: Reston Town Center Winterfest — Treats and activities are planned for the festival running from 12-5 p.m., including a carousel at the ice skating rink.

Photo via Facebook

Find unique handmade gifts, affordable fine art, yummy edibles and holiday decorations at the Herndon Holiday Arts and Crafts Show.

Get your shopping done Sunday, December 2 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Herndon Community Center. Admission and parking are free! Gift wrapping available and refreshments will be for sale.

This year there will be over 90 juried vendors selling handmade wood products, hand-knotted carpets, birdhouses, pottery, bath soaps, lotions, holiday cards, crocheted clothing and accessories. Plus, there will also be the ever-popular crafters with their custom artwork, paintings, holiday decorations, one-of-a-kind jewelry, stained glass, and much more.

Looking for gifts for the foodie in the family? Try the new peanut vendor, tea, spices, artisan olive oil, balsamic vinegars and delicious baked goods. In addition, the Herndon Woman’s Club will sell White House ornaments.

The Herndon Community Center, a public recreation facility located at 814 Ferndale Avenue, features an indoor pool, spa, sauna, fitness room, full-size gymnasium, three racquetball courts and hundreds of recreation programs.

The Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department produces this show along with many other programs and events in Herndon. To learn more please visit the Town of Herndon’s website or call 703-787-7300.

A Toys for Tots drive is coming to town to bring presents to low-income kids.

Locals can drop off new, unwrapped toys in building lobbies around Reston Town Center this Thursday.

The charity toy drive benefits Toys for Tots and is held in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s annual campaign. The drive runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 7.

On the final day, a special collection event will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in front of the pavilion.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department began its toy drive last Monday (Nov. 19). The collection is part of the Annual National Capital Region Fire and EMS Departments’ 2018 Toys for Tots campaign.

Fire stations will accept checks made payable to “TOYS FOR TOTS” and new, unwrapped toy donations until Dec. 12.

The nearby stations are located at:

• 1820 Wiehle Avenue, Reston
• 2610 Reston Parkway, Herndon
• 1117 Reston Avenue, Herndon

Last year, the department collected more than 14,000 toys, according to the website.

Thanks to everyone who has already dropped off toys for #ToysForTots at our fire stations! Boxes already filling up. On this #CyberMonday if purchasing gifts, please consider purchasing a toy to donate to a needy child. #fcfrd #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/HvrfLGdpCW

— Fairfax Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) November 26, 2018

Photo via Marine Toys for Tots Foundation/Facebook

This Friday (Nov. 23), the Reston Town Center will host its annual Reston Holiday Parade.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. at the Reston Town Center (11900 Market St) and will feature a Macy’s-style parade of balloons, musicians, dancers and more.

The Reston Holiday Parade lasts for one hour and will travel a half-mile along Market Street. Before the parade starts, thousands of jingle bells will be handed out to the crowd to help welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus.

After the parade, visitors are invited to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy a mini-train ride until 4:30.

At 6 p.m., a tree lighting ceremony will be held at Fountain Square, followed by horse-drawn carriage rides around the Reston Town Center.

The parade has been a Reston tradition since 1991.

 

Looking to get into some holiday spirit? Lake Anne Plaza is preparing to host its classic event, “Jingle on Lake Anne,” on Dec. 1.

The event at 11609 Washington Plaza kicks off with a craft market at 8 a.m., followed by cookies and kids’ crafts. Adults and children can make ornaments and decorate cookies while listening to the Lake Anne Elementary School students’ perform.

At noon, Santa and his elves will arrive via boat and paddle across the lake for photo opportunities.

The events throughout the day are as follows:

• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Craft market
• 10 a.m. to noon:  and kids’ crafts
• 11 a.m. to noon: Lake Anne Elementary School chorus and orchestra
• Noon: Santa arrives and pictures are taken
• Noon to 2 p.m.: Music on the plaza

The event is sponsored by Lake Anne merchants.

Photo by Ken Knueven via Facebook

Reston residents are set to have the chance to do some Christmas shopping and help people in need this weekend.

The 16th annual “Alternative Gift Market” is slated to return to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reston (1625 Wiehle Ave.) Saturday from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

During the market, shoppers can make donations to 30 local and international nonprofit organizations on behalf of loved ones. Cornerstones, Giving Circle of Hope and Kids R First are among the groups that are participating.

The donations, which come with holiday cards, include $10 for meals at Reston’s Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter, $15 for school supplies for Northern Virginia students and $55 for a water well pump in South Sudan.

Visitor to the market also can buy fair trade, handmade presents from Amani ya Juu, an African sewing and training program for women.

Image via Unitarian Universalist Church

Reston residents will have a chance to get outside and shake off that turkey coma this weekend.

Reston Association’s Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) is scheduled to host a “Turkey Trail” scavenger hunt this Saturday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m.

During the event, attendees can breathe in the crisp fall air, marvel at the trees’ changing colors and search for clues along the trails near the nature center.

Organizers say a “wild turkey” has gone on the loose and left behind clues that families will need to decode in order to follow the “turkey trail.” As they do so, families will learn some fascinating facts about the beautiful Thanksgiving birds.

Registration by tomorrow is encouraged. The cost is $5 for RA members or $7 for non-members.

Photo: An American turkey, credit to “Lupin” on Creative Commons.

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Santa on a Boat!

Jolly old St. Nick returns to Lake Anne Plaza Saturday — making his customary Reston barge arrival at Jingle on the Lake.

Reston Association president and Lake Anne residentKen Knueven will be piloting the boat that brings Santa to town at 12 p.m. sharp.

Jingle on the Lake runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature strolling carolers, a petting zoo, music, wine tastings, merchant specials, children’s crafts, cookie decorating, holiday arts & crafts market, holiday entertainment and much more.

The holiday event is hosted by Lake Anne Merchants. Admission is free. The event will be held rain or shine.