First-ever Winterfest to light up Reston this holiday season

Reston Association hopes to start a new holiday tradition this year with its first-ever Winterfest.

The three-day “holiday extravaganza” will take place at the Brown’s Chapel Park recreation area (1575 Browns Chapel Road) from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, RA announced in its weekly “Reston Today” newsletter on Friday (Nov. 3).

“Stroll through a self-guided walk as we Light up the Park,” the event description says. “Join us for festive music, vendors for holiday shopping, bonfires and smores, drinks and a pop-up bar and food options. In addition, we are hosting a Santa Experience inside the Lake House.”

There will also be an “Enchanted Forest” featuring “decorated trees from the community,” according to RA.

The overall event is free for RA members, but the “Light Up the Park” walk costs $18 for non-members, with a discount of $8 for anyone aged 3 to 17. All attendees must register in advance for a one-hour time slot between 5-9 p.m.

Registration for the Santa Experience is separate and includes an opportunity to make a holiday craft and write a letter to Santa, who will also be present at the event. There’s a fee of $20 for RA members and $25 for non-members, though kids under 2 can get in for free.

Cara O’Donnell, RA’s new communications director, says the organization is “VERY excited about this event.”

“The idea for it came about before I joined RA…but I know there was a genuine desire to do a big holiday event — something the entire community can enjoy and one that hopefully will become an annual tradition,” O’Donnell said to FFXnow. “I think it’s going to be really fun.”

In other wintry Reston news, Reston Town Center’s ice skating rink opened at the renovated pavilion on Friday. The town center’s annual holiday parade and tree lighting is scheduled for Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.