Reston Town Center Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting

About this adventure

Ranked among USA Today's top holiday parades in the nation, the 34th Annual Reston Holiday Parade at Reston Town Center is Northern Virginia's premier Thanksgiving-weekend family tradition. Stepping off at 11:00 AM on Market Street, the one-hour Macy's-style parade features soaring giant helium balloons, marching bands from across the region, precision dancers, whimsical floats, and the grand arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in an authentic horse-drawn carriage. After the morning parade, families can take horse-drawn carriage rides around the town center, pose for photos with Santa Claus, and lace up skates at the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion. Festivities culminate at 6:00 PM in Fountain Square, where thousands gather for the lighting of the magnificent Christmas tree accompanied by a community carol sing-along. Street parking and multi-level parking garages are free for the event, and wide pedestrian sidewalks make pushing strollers easy throughout the town center.