As we all know, the temperature here in Reston has significantly dropped. It’s officially hoodie season and the students here are already ready for winter break. Without further ado, let’s get into four things to do during winter in and around Reston.
Reston Town Center ice skating: Located in the Reston Town Center, this is an outdoor skating rink that runs from November to March. It opens at 11:30 am for all days of the week and closes at 9pm(except on Fridays and Saturdays when it closes at 11pm). “It was a really fun experience, it’s never too crowded, the ice is nice and smooth to skate on, and it’s very festive, with Christmas decorations everywhere. I would definitely recommend it and go back,” said freshman Aurora Clements. For military members, youth (12 and under), and seniors (55+), the price is 9$. For adults the price is 11$. The skate rental is 8$.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights: This is an outdoor walk-through holiday light display at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna. It’s open from 5:30pm to 10pm, and goes from November 7 to January 4, 2026. From Nov. 7 to Dec. 4 and Jan. 1–4, online tickets are $19, and at-the-door tickets are $24. For Dec. 5–31, tickets are $23 and must be purchased online. A fun event happening on December 9, 20205, is pup night. The event includes special nights where you can bring your dog, with tickets available for purchase online at a discounted price.
Fairfax City Holiday Market: The Fairfax City Holiday Market will take place on two weekends in December 2025: December 5–7 and December 12–14, at Old Town Square in Downtown Fairfax. The market features local artisans, live music, and food, with a rotating vendor list for each weekend. The hours are typically from 5-8 PM on Fridays, 12-6 PM on Saturdays, and 12-5 PM on Sundays.
DC Winter Lantern Festival: Running from November 20, 2025, through January 20, the DC Winter Lantern Festival is located at Lerner Town Square in Tysons. The lantern festival is a walk-through experience with handmade Chinese lanterns, along with live entertainment like acrobatic shows, food, and a gift shop. The festival is open Thursday through Sunday from 5–10 PM, with a special daily schedule from December 18 to January 20. Tickets start at around $25.99 for adults and $18.99 for children (4-12), and for children ages (0-3), it’s free. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and military members.
Northern Virginia has so many fun things to do during winter, whether its festivals or markets, you name it. This winter season, take the time to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit around you.
