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Fall in Reston: Shows, Sips & Next Acts
A crisp lineup of can’t-miss moments—from RTC Next’s next act to Rocktoberfest, film fest nights, and fresh-air resets. Skim the quick news, peep the makeover case study, and pick your perfect fall weekend.
Graham Tracey
October 09, 2025
RESTON’S PUMPKIN PLAYBOOKTake a stroll through what’s next at RTC Next then cue the weekend with Rocktoberfest at Town Center. Our picks stack up with red carpets at Washington West, a “Time Warp” at CenterStage, Herndon’s hometown parade, a wellness reset in Hunters Woods, and a dawn bird walk into Stratton Woods. Check out the latest openings and civic moves, plus a satisfying before-and-after case study that turns small fixes into big wins. Scroll, star a few, and make your fall calendar feel easy. What’s inside
|  What are you most looking forward to from the new phase of RTC Next? |
Feature Story
WHAT’S NEXT FOR RTC NEXT
RTC Next just unveiled a new phase that nearly doubles the project—running between the W&OD Trail and Sunset Hills, right across from the RTC Metro. Expect two office towers, two residential buildings, ~22,000 sq ft of restaurants/shops, and a county-dedicated site for a 60,000-sq-ft performing arts center connected to the core of Town Center by a linear promenade. Watch the reel for the quick tour and what “dinner + a show” could look like in Reston.
Around Town
FLIP-OR-LIST: $167K UPSIDE
Turn a fixer into a win: see how a dated Reston lake home with RA violations skipped a $700K investor offer, got a $48K strategic refresh, and closed all-cash at $915K—netting $167K more than selling as-is. Click to see the exact updates, marketing plan, and numbers step-by-step. Curious whether a “flip-or-list” would pencil out for you? Tap to read the playbook and get in touch.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
Rocktoberfest hits Reston Town Center Oct. 11. Free pavilion show: keeton 5 pm, Ace Monroe 6:45 pm, Smash Mouth ~8:30 pm (Sip & Stroll rules apply).
Dogfish Head Alehouse is coming to RTC. The legacy brewpub signed a 7,550-sq-ft lease with a target opening in summer 2026.
Workday leases 51,204 sq. ft. at Reston Town Center. The enterprise AI platform will occupy the 8th and 9th floors at 1818 Library Street, moving from Tysons.
RTC Next wins Planning Commission support. An updated second-phase plan (aka RTC Next) cleared an 11–0 vote.
Reston Hospital adding advanced heart surgery program. Renovations are underway for a cardiac surgery launch targeted by year’s end.
RA budget debate: proposed 2026 assessment increase. Board members were split as staff outlined raises and operational needs.
Reston Town Center North plan advances. County/Inova rezoning would add housing plus a new library and Embry Rucker Shelter.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
Film lovers get red carpets and filmmaker Q&As at Washington West, while night owls can “Time Warp” with Reston Community Players’ Rocky Horror Show at CenterStage. Saturday stacks the calendar: Herndon’s Homecoming Parade rolls down Elden Street before a free tune-up at the Fall Wellness Fair in Hunters Woods. Cap the weekend with an early-morning October Bird Walk from Walker Nature Center into Stratton Woods to spot fall migrants. A tidy blend of arts, small-town pageantry, and fresh-air therapy in one crisp fall stretch.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…Walker Nature Center is your default Plan B.”
Your Next Step
SIMPLE WAYS TO WORK WITH US
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