Reston Association’s fourth annual Winterfest runs Thursday, December 3 through Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. each night at Brown’s Chapel Park. Tickets are on sale now: free for Reston Association members and Recreation Passholders, $20 for nonmember adults and $10 for nonmember children, and everyone needs a ticket.
Quick Summary
- Dates: December 3 to 5, 2026, 5 to 9 p.m. nightly, at Brown’s Chapel Park (1525 Brown’s Chapel Road).
- Tickets went on sale October 15. Free for RA members and Recreation Passholders. Nonmembers pay $20 per adult and $10 per child, per Reston Association.
- New for 2026: Polar Play Park, with ice carvings and interactive ice games, weather permitting.
- Last year’s festival drew more than 10,000 people over three days, according to RA as reported by FFXnow.
In this post: What Winterfest is | Dates, tickets and who gets in free | What to do once you are inside | The tree donation part | What this means for Reston homeowners | Sources and reporting limits | FAQ
What Winterfest is
Winterfest turns Brown’s Chapel Park into a half-mile walk of holiday lights, decorated trees, fire pits and food trucks. Reston Association runs it, and 2026 is the fourth year. It has grown quickly: RA says more than 10,000 people came over three nights last year, and it expects more this time.
3 nights, 5 to 9 p.m.: December 3, 4 and 5, 2026, at Brown’s Chapel Park.
Dates, tickets and who gets in free
The festival runs Thursday, December 3, Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5, from 5 to 9 p.m. each night. Tickets are sold through Reston Association’s online registration system.
- Reston Association members and Recreation Passholders: free.
- Nonmember adults: $20.
- Nonmember children: $10. FFXnow reports the child price applies to ages 3 to 17.
The detail people miss: free does not mean ticketless. Members still need to claim tickets online before they go, so do that early if you have a particular night in mind. RA has not published an attendance cap.
What to do once you are inside
Returning attractions include Light Up the Park, a half-mile walk through thousands of lights; the Enchanted Forest of trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and residents; complimentary photos with Santa; Grinch’s Village; a Vendor Village for gift shopping; and fire pits for roasting marshmallows, plus food trucks and seasonal treats.
New this year is Polar Play Park, with ice carvings and interactive ice games. It is weather permitting, so a mild December night could change what is on offer.
The tree donation part
After the festival, the Enchanted Forest trees are donated to local families in need through Friends of Reston. Businesses, community groups and residents can still sponsor a tree, and RA lists a 2026 Sponsor a Tree form, a sponsorship packet and a vendor application on its Winterfest page. Questions go to events@reston.org.
What this means for Reston homeowners
Winterfest is one of the clearest examples of what the Reston Association assessment pays for: parks, trails and community events that members attend free. If you are comparing Reston with other parts of Northern Virginia, our guide to Reston Association fees and rules explains what membership includes.
Parking and shuttle details had not been posted when this was written, so check RA’s page closer to the date and dress for a walk in the cold. For more seasonal plans, see the Reston events calendar, and if you are curious what your home would sell for this winter, start with the Reston home value tool.
Sources and reporting limits
- Reston Association, Winterfest page, reviewed October 2026
- FFXnow, “Reston Winterfest set for 2026 return with new, kid-friendly Polar Play Park”, October 19, 2026
- Patch Reston, “Reston Winterfest Returns: 2026 Dates, Tickets, Prices, New Attractions,” October 14, 2026
Details are current as of October 2026. Parking, shuttle, attendance caps and tree sponsorship pricing were not published in the sources reviewed. Polar Play Park is weather dependent. Check the Reston Association Winterfest page before you go.
FAQ
When is Reston Winterfest 2026?
Thursday, December 3 through Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. each night at Brown’s Chapel Park.
Do Reston Association members need a ticket for Winterfest?
Yes. Tickets are free for RA members and Recreation Passholders, but everyone needs one. Claim them online through Reston Association.
How much are Winterfest tickets for nonmembers?
$20 for adults and $10 for children, according to Reston Association.
What is new at Winterfest this year?
Polar Play Park, with ice carvings and interactive ice games, weather permitting.
Thinking about a move to Reston and want to know which neighborhoods are closest to events like this? Reach out to Nikki Lagouros, Realtor.