Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, and it is a regular school day in Fairfax County Public Schools this year. The same morning, the second annual Run for Valor 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Here is what to know about both.
Quick summary
- Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. The School Board voted on April 9, 2026 to make it a school day beginning with the 2026-27 year.
- The Run for Valor 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St.
- Registration is $35 through race day and includes a shirt. Proceeds support Soldiers’ Angels.
- Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, is a student holiday, and Thanksgiving break runs Nov. 25 to 27.
The Run for Valor 5K at Reston Town Center
The 2nd annual RTC Run for Valor 5K starts at 8 a.m. on Nov. 11 and runs through Reston Town Center. The race is hosted by BXP in honor of its veterans employee resource group, Valor, in partnership with Microsoft’s Military at Microsoft group. All proceeds benefit Soldiers’ Angels, a nonprofit that supports the military and veteran community.
Registration is $35 through race day and includes a race shirt. Packet pickup is Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the PR Run and Walk store, 11911 Democracy Dr. The top three male and top three female finishers receive awards. If you can’t run, the race page also has a link to donate directly to Soldiers’ Angels.
What changed on the FCPS calendar
Veterans Day is no longer a student holiday in Fairfax County Public Schools. At its April 9, 2026 meeting, the School Board voted 8 to 1, with three abstentions, to drop the student holiday, according to FFXnow. Board member Seema Dixit cast the lone no vote, saying she wanted the school calendar to stay aligned with the federal holiday schedule. Members who supported the change pointed out that current policy already gives students the day after Thanksgiving off in lieu of Veterans Day.
Board member Mateo Dunne described the vote in an April 20 FCPS bulletin as designating Veterans Day a school day, in line with existing policy. He wrote that schools have closed on the day since 2022, and that the board may revisit alignment with federal holidays for future years.
The FCPS standard school year calendar for 2026-27 lists Nov. 11 simply as Veterans Day, without the student holiday label it uses for dates such as Nov. 3. Dates are subject to change, so check with your school before you plan around it.
A November that is easy to mix up
This month has several dates that look alike and are not. Monday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday, Nov. 3 (Election Day) are student holidays. Wednesday, Nov. 11 is a regular school day. Thanksgiving break covers Nov. 25 to 27. If you plan to run, walk or cheer at the 5K, remember the 8 a.m. start lines up with the morning school schedule.
What this means for Reston homeowners
Here is the practical side from a Reston realtor’s point of view. Expect extra foot traffic, road closures and tighter parking around Town Center early on Nov. 11, and again during packet pickup on Nov. 10. If you have a showing, a photographer or a contractor scheduled near the Town Center that morning, build in extra time or choose a later window.
If you are listing this fall, a community event like this one is a good reminder to check your calendar for showings and open houses. Pick times that avoid the race start so buyers can park and walk in comfortably. For more on what is happening around town, see our Reston events calendar, our Reston real estate guide and our Reston Metro commute guide. Curious what your home could sell for? Start with our Reston home value page.
Sources and reporting limits
- RunSignup, RTC Run for Valor 5K race page, checked Oct. 30, 2026. Race date, time, price, packet pickup, hosts and beneficiary.
- Fairfax County Public Schools, Standard School Year Calendar, checked Oct. 30, 2026, for Nov. 2, Nov. 3, Nov. 11 and Nov. 25 to 27.
- FFXnow, “FCPS nixes student holiday for Veterans Day after debate over school calendar,” April 13, 2026, for the 8-1 vote with three abstentions.
- FCPS bulletin, The Dunne Dispatch, April 20, 2026, for the board member’s description of the vote.
- Limits: some early coverage described the April vote as restoring a holiday. The FFXnow report and the board member’s bulletin both describe Nov. 11 as a school day. Race details could change, so check the RunSignup page for the latest. We did not list other regional Veterans Day ceremonies because we could not confirm their schedules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Veterans Day a school holiday in Fairfax County in 2026?
No. The Fairfax County School Board voted on April 9, 2026 to make Veterans Day a school day, starting with the 2026-27 year. The FCPS calendar lists Nov. 11 as Veterans Day without the student holiday label used for days like Election Day. Confirm details with your school.
When does the Run for Valor 5K start in Reston?
The race starts at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St., according to the RunSignup race page.
Where do I pick up my Run for Valor race packet?
Packet pickup is Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the PR Run and Walk store, 11911 Democracy Dr., Reston.
How much does the Reston Veterans Day 5K cost?
Registration is $35 through race day and includes a race shirt. All proceeds benefit Soldiers’ Angels, a nonprofit that supports the military and veteran community.
Is Election Day a student holiday in Fairfax County?
Yes. The 2026-27 FCPS calendar lists Tuesday, Nov. 3 as a student holiday. Monday, Nov. 2 is also a student holiday, and Thanksgiving break runs Nov. 25 to 27.