Quick Summary
- The Reston Multicultural Festival marked its 25th year on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Reston Town Center.
- According to FFXnow, the festival offered more than 20 performances across three stages and more than 60 vendors and civic organizations.
- It started because two residents, Ellen Graves and Margaret Boyd, pitched the idea to then-Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.
- The event fits the founding idea behind Reston, which was planned in 1964 as a place shared by people of all income levels.
In This Post
- A festival that began with a conversation
- What the 25th year looked like
- Why it fits Reston
- What it means if you are thinking about living here
- Sources and reporting limits
- FAQ
25 years. 3 stages. 20+ performances. 60+ vendors and organizations. (Reston Community Center and FFXnow, September 2026)
A Festival That Began With a Conversation
Big community traditions usually start small, and this one is no exception. According to FFXnow, the Reston Multicultural Festival began when residents Ellen Graves and Margaret Boyd went to then-Supervisor Cathy Hudgins with an idea. Hudgins encouraged them to work with the Reston Community Center, and a quarter century later the event is still going. That origin story is worth sitting with for a second. Nobody handed down a plan from a corporate office. Two neighbors thought Reston’s growing diversity deserved a party, and they asked. The Reston Community Center describes the festival as one of Reston’s signature traditions. It is presented by RCC in partnership with the Reston Town Center Association and BXP, the property owner at Town Center, with Reston Association helping coordinate volunteers.
What the 25th Year Looked Like
This year’s festival ran Saturday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Market Street at Reston Town Center. FFXnow reported that thousands were expected, and RCC called it one of the largest so far. The opening ceremony kicked off at 11 a.m. with the South Lakes High School chorus performing the national anthem, remarks from RCC Board Chair Bill Bouie, and a performance from Beverly Cosham. After that, the lineup was wide. Across three stages there were more than 20 performances, including Appalachian string music from artists tied to Virginia’s Crooked Road, the New York Korean Performing Arts Center, lion dancers, the Foley Academy of Irish Dance, Abadã-Capoeira DC, and the Taratibu Youth Association. More than 60 vendors and civic groups filled out the street, with goods ranging from Turkish rugs to Egyptian jewelry and Ukrainian crafts, per FFXnow. RCC Executive Director BeBe Nguyen told FFXnow, “Twenty-five years is a wonderful milestone.” She credited the idea, the community, and the people who believed in the power of bringing people together. 
Why It Fits Reston
Reston has always been a bit of an experiment. Robert E. Simon founded it in 1964 with the goal of building a suburban town where people could live, work, and play in the same place, with common grounds and scenic beauty shared regardless of income level, according to the town’s Wikipedia entry summarizing the founding. Whether or not you care about planning theory, you can feel some of that in how people use the place. Lake Anne, the trails, the pools, and Town Center are all set up so neighbors run into each other. The 2020 census counted 63,226 people in Reston, and the community has become more varied over time. A festival built around music, dance, food, and crafts from many cultures is a natural fit for that kind of town. It is not a marketing campaign. It is what happens when a lot of different people share the same sidewalks. I would also point out that this is one of the free, walk-up events that helps Reston feel like a real hometown instead of a place people just sleep in between commutes.
What It Means If You Are Thinking About Living Here
If you are weighing a move to Northern Virginia, festivals like this one are the part of a neighborhood you cannot see on a listing. Square footage and school boundaries matter, but so does whether your street has a town that shows up for each other. Reston’s mix of lakes, paths, community centers, and events is a big part of why many people choose it and stay. If you want to see how the different Reston neighborhoods feel day to day, our Reston real estate page is a good starting point.
Sources and Reporting Limits
- FFXnow, “Reston Multicultural Festival returns this weekend for 25th anniversary,” September 18, 2026.
- Reston Community Center, “Reston Multicultural Festival Celebrates 25 Years,” September 2026.
- Wikipedia, “Reston, Virginia,” for the 1964 founding, Robert E. Simon’s stated vision, and the 2020 census population of 63,226. Accessed September 30, 2026.
- Limits: the event details come from pre-event coverage published before September 19, so actual attendance and final performer lineups were not independently confirmed after the fact. Costs, parking, and food vendor details were not specified in the sources. For next year’s dates, check restoncommunitycenter.com.
FAQ
Q: When is the Reston Multicultural Festival held? A: This year’s 25th festival was held Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Reston Town Center. Check the Reston Community Center website for next year’s date. Q: Who organizes it? A: The Reston Community Center presents it, in partnership with the Reston Town Center Association and BXP, with Reston Association coordinating volunteers, according to RCC. Q: How did it start? A: According to FFXnow, residents Ellen Graves and Margaret Boyd proposed it to then-Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who encouraged them to team up with the Reston Community Center. If you are thinking about a move to Reston or anywhere in Northern Virginia and want a local’s take on the neighborhoods, reach out to Nikki anytime. Wondering who the top real estate agents in Reston VA are? See the 2026 rankings.