Herndon Events Calendar: Festivals, Markets and Traditions
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Friday Night Live!, the Thursday Farmers Market, July 4th, the Homecoming Parade, Frying Pan Farm Park and Holiday Events, With 2026 Dates
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Quick Answer: What Is Coming Up in Herndon?
Last updated October 2026
Quick answer: Herndon’s year runs on a few dependable rhythms: the farmers market on Thursday mornings from May to October, free Friday Night Live! concerts on the Town Green all summer, fireworks at Bready Park on July 4, the Herndon High School Homecoming Parade through downtown in October, and a tree lighting and craft show in early December.
Coming up as of October 11, 2026: the last three market Thursdays (October 15, 22 and 29), Farm Harvest Fest at Frying Pan Farm Park (October 16 to 18), the Homecoming Parade (Saturday, October 24, 9:30 a.m.), the Turkey Trot 5K (November 21) and the Holiday Tree Lighting (December 5). Past 2026 events are marked; 2027 dates are to be announced unless noted.
Part of Nikki’s Living in Herndon guide.
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Herndon Events at a Glance
| When | Event | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| May | Polar Heat on Lynn Street, a new downtown festival for Herndon Parks and Recreation’s 50th anniversary | May 16 (past) |
| May to October, Thursdays | Herndon Farmers Market, 700 block of Lynn St, 8 a.m. to noon | Through Oct. 29 |
| Late May to early September, Fridays | Friday Night Live! free concerts, Town Green, about 6:30 to 10 p.m. | May 22 to Sept. 4; 500th show Sept. 4 (season ended) |
| July 4 | Fourth of July at Bready Park: festivities from 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m. | July 4 (past) |
| September | NatureFest at Runnymede Park, with the Friends of Runnymede Park | Sept. 27 (past) |
| October | Farm Harvest Fest and Carnival, Frying Pan Farm Park (Fairfax County park) | Oct. 16 to 18 |
| October | Herndon High School Homecoming Parade, “Hollywood Through the Years” | Sat., Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m. |
| November | Turkey Trot 5K | Sat., Nov. 21, 4 p.m. |
| December | Holiday Tree Lighting and Sing-Along, Town Hall Square | Sat., Dec. 5, 5 to 6:30 p.m. |
| December | Holiday Arts and Crafts Show, 70+ vendors, free | Sun., Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Dates are from the Town of Herndon, the Fairfax County Park Authority and event organizers, checked October 11, 2026. Plans change with weather, so check the official page on the day.
Coming Up This Fall
Farm Harvest Fest and Carnival: October 16 to 18
At Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Rd), a Fairfax County park with a Herndon address, outside the Town limits.
- Big Truck Night: Friday, Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m.
- Farm Harvest Days: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with farm activities and demonstrations.
- Fall Carnival: Friday 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Costs: unlimited-ride wristbands are $23.25 in advance through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; parking is $10 per vehicle.
Herndon High School Homecoming Parade: Saturday, October 24
The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. downtown; the 2026 theme is “Hollywood Through the Years.” The Town expects these closures (final details are confirmed closer to the day):
- Lynn Street closes at 6:30 a.m. for staging.
- From 8 a.m.: Elden Street (Locust to Monroe), Locust Street (Center to Elden), Station Street (Center to Lynn), Spring Street (Locust to Elden) and Monroe Street (Van Buren to Elden).
- No parking on the north side of Pine Street, 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Roads are expected to reopen around 1 p.m.
Turkey Trot 5K: Saturday, November 21
A cross-country style 5K for ages 4 and up, starting at 4 p.m. Pre-registration is $40 for adults and $25 for youth (20 and under) until noon on Friday, Nov. 20; packet pickup is that evening, 5 to 7 p.m., at Izzi’s, 771 Elden St.
Holiday Tree Lighting and Sing-Along: Saturday, December 5
Free, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall Square.
Holiday Arts and Crafts Show: Sunday, December 6
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more than 70 vendors, free admission and free parking.
Sources: Fairfax County Park Authority: Farm Harvest Fest, Town of Herndon: Homecoming Parade, Town of Herndon: Turkey Trot, Town of Herndon: Tree Lighting, Town of Herndon: Holiday Arts and Crafts Show.
The Herndon Farmers Market
Thursdays, 8 a.m. to noon, on the 700 block of Lynn Street by the red caboose, run by the Fairfax County Park Authority. The 2026 season runs May 7 to October 29 per the County (the Town’s page lists October 30, which is a Friday).
- Producer-only: farmers and makers sell what they grow, raise or make, from within 125 miles of Fairfax County. Craft vendors are not accepted.
- Pets: not allowed, except service animals.
- Composting: bring food scraps to the drop-off, a Fairfax County program.
- 2026 vendors on the Town’s list include Baguette Republic, BlackStone Honey Bee Farms, Chunker’s Bakery, Grace’s Pastries, House of Empanadas, J & W Valley View Farm, Mt Olympus Berry Farm and Santacruz Produce, plus new-this-season Karya Kuisine, Meltwin Kitchen, Sicilian Mom and The Avo Bar.
Sources: Fairfax County Park Authority: Herndon Farmers Market, Town of Herndon: farmers market.
Friday Night Live! on the Town Green
Free summer concerts on the Herndon Town Green behind the Municipal Center (777 Lynn St), produced by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. Shows typically run 6:30 to 10 p.m.; concessions from local restaurants open at 6 p.m., and alcohol sales end at 9:30 p.m.
- History: the series launched in 1995.
- 2026: its 32nd season ran from May 22 to September 4, and the September 4 finale was programmed as the 500th show.
- Weather: nights can be canceled; the 2026 opener was rained out. Check the series’ updates on show day.
- 2027: dates to be announced.
Sources: FFXnow: 2026 lineup, FFXnow: 2026 opener canceled.
Earlier in 2026 (Past Events)
- Polar Heat on Lynn Street (May 16): a new free downtown festival with two stages, launched for Herndon Parks and Recreation’s 50th anniversary.
- Fourth of July at Bready Park (814 Ferndale Ave): festivities from 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m., with limited parking at Herndon Middle School and the Herndon Community Center. The Town’s weather line was 703-435-6866, with July 5 as the backup date.
- NatureFest (Sept. 27): a free afternoon at Runnymede Park (195 Herndon Pkwy), co-sponsored by the Friends of Runnymede Park and the Town, with event parking at the Hunters Creek Clubhouse, 417 Queen’s Row, and accessible parking at the park.
Sources: FFXnow: Polar Heat, Town of Herndon: July 4th, Town of Herndon: NatureFest.
What Happened to the Herndon Festival?
For decades the Herndon Festival was the town’s big early-summer weekend. In December 2023 the Town ended the four-day event after a 43-year run. Town staff pointed to trouble securing bag-check security, police staffing limits, fewer volunteers and a planned Spring Street construction project near the festival site, and suggested smaller events instead.
Polar Heat on Lynn Street, first held in 2026, is one of those newer events. Source: FFXnow: Town staff explain decision.
For Buyers: Living Near the Action
- Near the Town Green: summer Friday nights bring amplified music until about 10 p.m. and busy parking. Visit on a concert night if you are serious about a nearby home.
- On the parade route: Elden, Locust, Station, Spring and Monroe streets close for part of the Homecoming Parade morning.
- Near Bready Park and the Community Center: expect road closures and traffic on July 4.
- Near Frying Pan Farm Park: big weekends such as the summer fair and the fall harvest festival add traffic on West Ox Road.
More Herndon guides: Living in Herndon | Town of Herndon vs. a Herndon address | Herndon development tracker | Buying a historic home in downtown Herndon. Next door: Living in Reston, the Reston Metro guide and the Dulles flight paths guide. All areas served.
Herndon Events FAQ
When is the Herndon Homecoming Parade in 2026?
The Herndon High School Homecoming Parade is Saturday, October 24, 2026, starting at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Herndon. The theme is “Hollywood Through the Years,” and several downtown streets close that morning.
When is the Herndon farmers market?
The Herndon Farmers Market runs Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon on the 700 block of Lynn Street. The 2026 season runs May 7 to October 29, per the Fairfax County Park Authority.
Is Friday Night Live in Herndon free?
Yes. Friday Night Live! is a free summer concert series on the Herndon Town Green, usually 6:30 to 10 p.m. The 2026 season ran May 22 to September 4; 2027 dates are to be announced.
When is Farm Harvest Fest at Frying Pan Farm Park?
Farm Harvest Fest and Carnival runs October 16 to 18, 2026, at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road. Big Truck Night is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., Farm Harvest Days run Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and parking is $10 per vehicle.
Where are the Herndon July 4th fireworks?
The Town of Herndon holds its Fourth of July celebration at Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Avenue. In 2026 festivities started at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks were at 9:30 p.m.; 2027 details are to be announced.
Is there still a Herndon Festival?
No. The Town of Herndon ended the four-day Herndon Festival in December 2023 after a 43-year run. In 2026 the Town held a new downtown festival, Polar Heat on Lynn Street, on May 16.
When is the Herndon holiday tree lighting?
The Holiday Tree Lighting and Sing-Along is Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall Square. It is free.
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Sources
Sources (last updated October 11, 2026): Town of Herndon: special events; Town of Herndon: Homecoming Parade 2026; Town of Herndon: Turkey Trot 5K; Town of Herndon: Holiday Tree Lighting; Town of Herndon: Holiday Arts and Crafts Show; Town of Herndon: July 4th 2026; Town of Herndon: NatureFest; Fairfax County Park Authority: Farm Harvest Fest 2026; Fairfax County Park Authority: Herndon Farmers Market; Town of Herndon: farmers market; FFXnow: Friday Night Live 2026 lineup; FFXnow: 2026 opener canceled; FFXnow: Polar Heat on Lynn Street; FFXnow: Herndon Festival ended; Nikki Lagouros Rankings & Data.