New Year's Eve 2026 in Reston: light shows and skating open Dec. 31, a New Year's Day 5K at Reston Town Center, and what closes on Jan. 1, 2027.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Restaurant and party plans are added only when the venue announces them. Sources: Reston Town Center, NOVA Parks, Fairfax County’s library closing dates, park holiday hours, Connector holiday schedules and trash holiday page.

New Year’s Eve 2026 falls on a Thursday, and New Year’s Day on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, giving Reston a long weekend in the middle of Fairfax County Public Schools’ winter break, which runs Dec. 21 to Jan. 3. There is no town fireworks show in Reston. The evening options are the ice rink at Reston Town Center and NOVA Parks’ two holiday light shows, which stay open on Dec. 31. The new year starts with a 5K at the town center.

Who to call

  • Reston Town Center: info@restontowncenter.com
  • Fairfax County Park Authority: 703-324-8700
  • Police non-emergency: Fairfax County Police, 703-691-2131
  • Emergency: 911

New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31

Ice skating at Reston Town Center. The Ice Skating Pavilion is open for the season from Nov. 6 to March 14, weather permitting. Check the rink’s page for New Year’s Eve hours. Town center garages are free after 5 p.m. on weekdays, the center says.

Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights, Vienna. NOVA Parks’ garden light trail at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court is open 5 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, with last admission at 9:30 p.m. Tickets for Dec. 4 to 31 are sold online only; there are no door sales.

Bull Run Festival of Lights, Centreville. The drive-through show at 7700 Bull Run Drive is open daily through Jan. 3, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, weekends and holidays and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Check NOVA Parks’ ticket page for New Year’s Eve, which falls on a Thursday.

Restaurants and parties. No Reston restaurant or venue had posted a 2026 New Year’s Eve dinner or party when this page was checked. We add them here, with a link to the venue’s own announcement, as they are published. For places to eat and drink, see date night in Reston and live music and nightlife in Reston.

New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1

New Year’s Day 5K, Reston Town Center, 10 a.m. to noon. Reston Town Center lists a New Year’s Day 5K on its calendar. Registration details will be on the event page.

The light shows stay open. Meadowlark’s Jan. 1-3 tickets are $19 online and $24 at the door, NOVA Parks says, and both displays close for the season after Jan. 3.

What is open and closed

Service New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31 New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1
Fairfax County Public Library, including Reston Regional Closes at 5 p.m. Closed
Fairfax County rec centers Open 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the park holiday page
Fairfax Connector buses Regular service Sunday service
Fairfax County Public Schools Winter break Winter break (classes resume Jan. 4)
County trash and recycling pickup Runs as normal Runs as normal
I-66 Transfer Station See the county’s holiday hours See the county’s holiday hours

Most Reston homes are served by a private hauler, often through the homeowners association, and those companies set their own holiday schedules. See our trash and recycling guide.

Getting home safely

Plan a ride before you go out. The Silver Line serves Reston from the Wiehle-Reston East and Reston Town Center stations; see getting around Reston for Metro and bus options. If you see a driver who appears impaired, call 911.

What this means for you

Buy Meadowlark tickets online ahead of time for Dec. 31; there are no door sales that night. If you are out on Jan. 1, libraries are closed and buses run a Sunday schedule. Check back in December for restaurant plans as venues announce them.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Reston on New Year’s Eve 2026?

The Reston Town Center ice rink is in season, and NOVA Parks’ two light shows are open Dec. 31: Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights in Vienna from 5 to 10 p.m. and the Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Restaurant plans are listed here as restaurants announce them.

Is there a New Year’s Day race in Reston?

Yes. Reston Town Center lists a New Year’s Day 5K from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.

Are Fairfax County libraries open on New Year’s Eve?

Branches close at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, and are closed Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, for New Year’s Day.

Do Fairfax Connector buses run on New Year’s Day?

Yes, on a Sunday schedule on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. On New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, buses run regular service.

Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Fairfax County?

For county collection customers, yes: Fairfax County runs regular trash and recycling pickup on every holiday except Christmas Day. Private haulers, which serve most Reston homes, set their own schedules.