greaterrestonliving Holiday magic has landed at Reston Town Center ✨ The plaza is glowing, the rink is twinkling, and there’s something fun lined up for everyone. Live music on the plaza, mini train rides for charity, horse-drawn carriage nights, and ice skating under the lights. Save this post, swipe for details and reservation info, and tag your holiday buddy. Which one are you doing first... brass band, carolers, train, carriage, or straight to the rink? Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving 2025 Wrapped 💫 Reston and Herndon, thank you. For every like, share, sidewalk hello, and “you should cover this,” we felt the love all year. It looked like parades at RTC, skates on fresh ice, sunset laps at Lake Anne, porch concerts, farmers markets, and new keys passed across happy doorsteps. It felt like coffee chats that became friendships and DMs that turned into tours. We’re grateful for the small businesses that welcomed our cameras, the neighbors who told us their stories, and the families who trusted us with big moves. And to everyone who joined our Insider crew, you’re the heartbeat of this community. What was your favorite local moment of 2025? What should we cover more in 2026—events, openings, neighborhoods, market tea? Want weekly hyper-local picks? Comment “Insider.” Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving Dreaming of a European Christmas market but staying close to home this year? 🎄✨ The Herndon WinterMarkt brings that old world charm right to historic downtown Herndon, just a quick drive from Reston and Herndon neighborhoods we all know so well. On Saturday, December 13, 2025, Lynn Street and the area around the Herndon Municipal Center turn into a German style holiday market from 12 to 7 pm, with free admission and a cozy, small town feel. You will find handcrafted ornaments, woodworking, artwork, textiles, and plenty of holiday food and drinks, including German inspired favorites and, of course, Glühwein and hot chocolate. Families get live music, a visit from St. Nick, and a Kinder Corner for the kids. Parking is simple too: park at Herndon High School and hop on the free shuttle straight into downtown so you can skip circling for a spot. Events like this are a big part of what makes living in Reston and Herndon feel special. You can spend the afternoon shopping local, warming up with something festive to drink, then head back home in just a few minutes. If you are thinking about where you want to live long term, these are the kinds of traditions that really shape day to day life in a community. Are you going to the Herndon WinterMarkt this year or adding it to your holiday bucket list? 🎅🏻 
Share this video with a friend who loves Christmas markets, German food, or any excuse to enjoy a cozy winter day close to home. #herndonva #restonva #herndonwintermarkt #northernvirginia #fairfaxcounty Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me:
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving 🎄 Herndon is stacked with holiday magic. Save this lineup and tag your cocoa buddy. • Herndon Wintermarkt in Historic Downtown Sat, Dec 13, 12–7 pm. Free European-style market with food, vendors, and music. • Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Park Lights, wagon rides, Santa visits, crafts, animals, carousel and train rides. 12/12, 12/13, 12/19, 12/20 evenings. • The Santa Social Sun, Dec 14, 2–4 pm. Ages 2–12, $15 per child. • Shows at ArtsHerndon Home for the Holidays Dec 12–13 at 7:30 pm. A Celtic Christmas Dec 20, 7–9 pm. Which tradition are you most excited for? Want weekly links and local picks? Comment “Insider.” Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me: Kathy Tracey, Realtor Greater Reston Living at Compass kathy @greaterrestonliving.com 703.231.7049 (call or text) #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving Stuck on gift ideas? Try these Reston and Herndon shops. 🎁 Save this for your holiday run around Reston and Herndon. 🍫 Sweet tooth: River-Sea Chocolate, Chiboo, Dan-o’s Granola 💍 Prim and proper: House of Urbi, J.McLaughlin, Drybar 🍽️ Foodie: The Simon, Masti, Kusshi, Red’s Table, Lake Anne Coffee & Wine Bar 🧖 Wellness guru: Sweathouz, iCryo, Vida Fitness 🚲 Outdoorsy: The Bike Lane, Green Lizard, a promise to hike the trails 📚 Bookworms: Scrawl Books, Reston Used Book Shop, Barnes & Noble Swipe for picks, tag a shop we missed, and tell us who you’re shopping for. Comment “Insider” to join our weekly newsletter to hear about all the local news.

greaterrestonliving New Argentinian comfort food in North Reston 🥟❤️ Empanadas de Mendoza just opened at North Point Village Center, bringing cozy, street food style flavors from Mendoza, Argentina to our own neighborhood.📍1478 North Point Village Center, Reston, VA 20194 We stopped in to try a few things, starting with the classic beef empanada. It was super juicy, packed with flavor, and exactly the kind of handheld comfort food that works for a busy weeknight or a casual weekend treat. They are also doing beautiful sandwiches and pizzas with a real Argentinian twist, including a super cheesy pie layered with sauce, ham, olives, and slices of pepper. If you explore the menu, you will see pastries, desserts, and more, so this is very much a full takeout restaurant that goes well beyond its name. Empanadas de Mendoza translates to “empanadas from Mendoza,” the Argentinian city where this family’s food tradition began, and the brand grew from local farmers markets and food trucks into brick and mortar locations around Northern Virginia. Grand opening is set for Saturday, December 6 at 11 a.m., with free empanadas and churros for the first 100 guests, plus a full menu of empanadas, pizzas, sandwiches, and sweets. After that, you can swing by any day of the week. Current hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I love seeing local, family run spots choose Reston because of our strong sense of community. If you check them out, let me know what you order first, and share this post with a friend who is always searching for new places to eat in Reston. Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me:
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving #restonva #restoneats #restonrestaurants #northpointvillage #novaeats

greaterrestonliving Only in Reston does Santa swap his sleigh for a pontoon boat and a lake full of cheering neighbors. 🎅🏻🚤 Every December, Jingle on the Lake turns Lake Anne Plaza into a waterfront Christmas market with local artisans, live music, school choirs, ballet performances, and kids lining the dock waiting for Santa to cruise in by boat with his paddleboarding elves. This year, Jingle on the Lake is Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston. The Christmas market runs during the event, and Santa typically arrives by boat around noon, escorted by a decorated boat parade. If you want to be part of the show, the Jingle Paddle group stages near Inlet Court around 11:30 am, then paddles in alongside Santa as he heads to the plaza. It is one of those days where the whole community comes out: families with cocoa in hand, neighbors shopping small, kids clutching their wish lists, and that feeling that Lake Anne really is the heart of Reston. If you already live here, you know exactly what I mean. If you are thinking about Reston or lake living in Northern Virginia, events like this are the best way to see what everyday life here actually feels like. 🎄☕️🏡 Will you be at Jingle on the Lake this year, or have a favorite memory from past years? Tell me in the comments and share this with a friend who would drop everything to see Santa arrive by boat. #restonva #lakeanneplaza #jingleonthelake #restonholidays #restonrealestate Looking to make a move in Northern Virginia? Text or DM me:
Kathy Tracey, Realtor
Greater Reston Living at Compass
kathy @greaterrestonliving.com
703.231.7049 (call or text)
 #greaterrestonliving

greaterrestonliving A lot of buyers scroll right past homes like this. Savvy buyers stop and ask, 
“How many ways can this place work for me.” In the Douglas Park neighborhood in Arlington, this detached home gives you options: • Live upstairs and lease the full apartment downstairs.
• Hold it as a long-term rental with two separate leases.
• Create a real, private space for parents, an au pair, or long-term guests.
• Enjoy it now and explore a larger redevelopment play later, like many neighbors have already done. You are minutes to DC, the Pentagon, Crystal City, and Shirlington.
You get 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and a layout that can actually pull its weight. If you want the photos, price, and a simple breakdown of the different ways this one property could fit your plan, 👉 Comment or DM “MONROE” and I’ll send everything over. #ArlingtonVA
 #DouglasPark
 #HouseHack
 #NOVARealEstate
 #ArlingtonHomes