The Annual Reston Holiday Parade in Reston: A Local’s Guide

If you live in or near Reston, the holidays really start when the Reston Holiday Parade rolls down Market Street. My family has gone many times over the years, and every time I think, “This is what makes Reston feel like home.” As a local Reston and Herndon real estate agent, I always tell clients that this parade is one of the best snapshots of what life in Northern Virginia can feel like when a community truly shows up.

Whether you are a long-time local or brand-new to the area, this guide will walk you through what makes the parade so special, how to attend, where to park, and how to help keep it ranked as one of the best holiday parades in the country.

What Is the Reston Holiday Parade?

The Reston Holiday Parade is an annual, family-friendly parade that takes place at Reston Town Center on the Friday after Thanksgiving. For 2025, it is currently listed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. as part of a full day of holiday events that also includes a tree lighting, train and carriage rides, Santa visits and more. RTCA

The parade itself is a one hour, roughly half mile procession along Market Street that usually starts at 11 a.m. You can expect:

• Giant inflatable balloons that feel straight out of a big city parade

• Marching bands and dancers from local schools and groups

• Community organizations, classic cars and local dignitaries

• The arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, often in a horse-drawn carriage

• A tree lighting celebration on Market Street around 6 p.m.

In recent years, the day has also featured ice skating at the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion, mini train rides, and plenty of live entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening. vivareston.com+1

From the point of view of a local, it is a full-day event. Many families treat it as an all-in holiday kickoff: Gingerbread Man Mile races for the kids in the morning, parade late morning, Santa photos and shopping in the afternoon, then the tree lighting and dinner at one of the Town Center restaurants.

Why the Reston Holiday Parade Is One of the Best in the Country

Reston’s parade is not just a neighborhood event. It has earned national attention again and again through the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Holiday Parade.

Over the past decade, the Reston Holiday Parade has:

• Finished fourth in the USA Today 10Best poll in 2016

• Ranked fifth in multiple years, including 2018 and 2022

• Landed at eighth nationwide in 2019, ahead of some very big city parades

Local coverage and USA Today’s own results show that the parade has been consistently voted into the top ten for several years, which is impressive considering it competes with events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Detroit’s America’s Thanksgiving Parade. m.reston-connection.com+3Patch+3Northern Virginia Magazine+3

On top of that, Reston Town Center and Reston Community Center often highlight that the parade is “perennially” a USA Today top ten holiday parade. RTCA

As someone who works in Reston real estate and spends a lot of time talking about community, I can tell you this matters. When a suburban town center can stand shoulder to shoulder with famous big-city parades, it says a lot about how organized, engaged and proud the local community is.

How the USA Today 10Best Voting Works (And How You Can Help)

Each year that the Reston Holiday Parade is nominated, it appears on the USA Today 10Best Best Holiday Parade voting page alongside about 19 other parades from across the country.

Here is how voting has worked in recent years:

• An expert panel and editors select 20 nominees

• The public can vote once per day per person during the voting window

• Voting usually runs for several weeks in November

• Winners are announced in early December

Coverage from local outlets notes that Reston residents and Northern Virginia neighbors have played a huge role in bumping the parade into the top ten by voting daily during the contest period. ffxnow.com

If you live in Reston, Herndon or anywhere in Northern Virginia and love seeing our area get national recognition, this is a simple way to help. When the poll is live, you can:

1. Visit the Reston Holiday Parade page on USA Today’s 10Best site.

2. Click “Vote” once per day.

3. Share the link with friends, family and local social media groups.

When the parade lands in the top ten, it helps shine a spotlight on Reston and the broader Northern Virginia community, which is great for local businesses, tourism and even long-term property values.

What To Expect On Parade Day

Time, place and schedule

The parade takes place at Reston Town Center at 11900 Market Street in Reston, VA. In recent years, the general schedule has looked something like this:

• 8:00 a.m.: Gingerbread Man Mile kids’ races on Market Street

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Reston Holiday Parade along Market Street

• Afternoon: Visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, mini train rides, music and performances

• 6:00 p.m.: Tree lighting and community sing-along on or near Fountain Square

Events are typically free to attend, and activities like train rides or carriage rides often suggest a small donation to benefit local charities. vivareston.com+1

Always double-check this year’s details on the Reston Town Center holiday parade event page or the Reston Community Center events calendar before you go, since times and specific activities can shift a bit each year.

Crowd and atmosphere

This is not a tiny neighborhood parade. In some years there have been around 60 parade groups and well over a thousand participants, along with thousands of spectators lining Market Street. vivareston.com

Despite the size, it still feels very local. You will see:

• Area high school bands, including South Lakes and Herndon

• Local dance studios, scout troops and nonprofit organizations

• Classic cars with local leaders waving to the crowd

• Kids shaking jingle bells that volunteers hand out before the parade

It is busy and energetic, but it still feels like something that belongs to Reston.

Getting There: Parking, Metro and Local Logistics

Driving and parking at Reston Town Center

For most people in Northern Virginia, driving is the easiest way to get to the Reston Holiday Parade. Reston Town Center sits just north of the Dulles Toll Road and is easy to reach from Reston Parkway, Fairfax County Parkway and Route 7.

Reston Town Center has over 7,000 parking spaces across several garages and some street parking. Garage parking is free on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays, and the Town Center encourages visitors to use the ParkRTC app to make parking simple. Reston Town Center

On parade day, garages can fill quickly near Market Street, so here are a few tips:

• Arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before the parade start time if you want a prime viewing spot.

• Consider parking in one of the garages slightly farther from the main Fountain Square area, then walk in.

• Pay attention to any special parade-day parking notices on the Reston Town Center parking page.

Taking Metro

Since the Silver Line extension, the Reston Town Center Metro station has become a great option if you prefer to avoid holiday traffic. You can:

• Take the Silver Line to Reston Town Center

• Walk or take a short bus or rideshare to the Town Center itself

If you are coming from Arlington, Alexandria or DC, this is often less stressful than fighting for parking in the thick of parade arrival time.

Where To Stand (And What To Bring)

The parade travels along Market Street, so almost any spot along that route will give you a good view. A few local favorites:

• Near Fountain Square, where much of the announcing and energy is centered

• At the Library Street intersection, where you can often see the balloons and floats turning

• Slightly farther down Market Street if you prefer a little more breathing room for strollers and kids

Things to bring:

• A blanket or portable chairs if you plan to stake out a spot early

• Warm layers and hats, since you will be standing still for a while

• Snacks and water for kids, even if you plan to buy treats later

• Jingle bells if your kids like to join the noise (although volunteers often hand them out)

If you are coming with a big group, treat it like a tailgate but with fewer grills and more hot cocoa.

Making a Full Day of It

The Reston Holiday Parade is not just about one hour of floats. You can build an entire holiday kickoff around it.

Here is how a lot of local families do it:

1. Morning

   • Gingerbread Man Mile races for the kids

   • Coffee and a quick bite at one of the Town Center cafés

   • Parade at 11 a.m.

2. Afternoon

   • Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at designated spots

   • Ice skating at the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion

   • A little holiday shopping at local and national retailers

3. Evening

   • Tree lighting and sing-along around 6 p.m.

   • Dinner at one of the Town Center restaurants

Even if you only have energy for part of the day, you can pick a “shift” that works for your family. With little kids, many locals do parade plus lunch, then head home for naps and skip the evening. With older kids and teens, staying through the tree lighting and skating can be a lot of fun.

Tips From a Local Reston & Herndon Realtor

Because my work as a Reston and Herndon real estate agent is so tied to this community, I love seeing clients at the parade each year. It is one of those events that really illustrates why people search for the best Reston agent or the best realtors in Reston, VA when they think about moving here. They are not just buying a house. They are buying into this kind of community life.

A few local pointers:

• Meet up with friends early. Cell service can get a little overloaded when the crowds are big, so plan a specific corner or storefront in advance.

• Think about restroom breaks. Build in time for a quick stop before the parade starts, especially with kids.

• Support local businesses. Grab coffee, lunch or dinner from Town Center spots. It helps keep the area vibrant and attractive for future residents.

• Consider walkability when you house shop. If you love events like this, living within walking distance of Reston Town Center, Lake Anne or one of the village centers can really enhance your lifestyle.

If you are thinking about a move and want to understand how Reston Holiday Parade day feels from different neighborhoods, that is the type of insight a best realtors in Herndon, VA or Reston real estate specialist can share. The same goes for Herndon real estate, since many Herndon residents treat the parade as their holiday kickoff too.

Why The Parade Matters For Northern Virginia Homebuyers

When people start searching for homes in Northern Virginia, they often compare places like Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Vienna and Fairfax. School ratings and commute times matter, of course. But events like the Reston Holiday Parade are where you really feel the difference.

This parade shows off:

• The walkable, mixed-use design of Reston Town Center

• The strength of local schools, since so many bands and student performers are involved

• The level of volunteer engagement and sponsorship from groups like Reston Community Center

All of that adds up to a place that feels active and connected, not just a cluster of houses. That is exactly the kind of community many buyers are looking for when they reach out to the best realtors in Reston, VA and the best Herndon agent to explore their options.

Final Thoughts

The Reston Holiday Parade is one of those events that you can talk about all year long. For my family, it has become a tradition. For many of my clients, it is the moment they realize, “Yes, we picked the right place to live.”

If you have never been, I hope this guide helps you plan your first visit. If you are a regular like we are, maybe this inspires you to bring a new neighbor, vote in the USA Today contest, or just see the parade with fresh eyes.

Either way, I will probably see you on Market Street.

And if you ever want to talk Reston real estate, Herndon real estate, or Northern Virginia neighborhoods in general, feel free to reach out before or after the parade.