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Local Hikes and Holiday Happenings
Granola, hikes, headlines, and holiday happenings: your week in Reston and Herndon starts here.
Graham Tracey
December 18, 2025
LOCAL FLAVOR, LOCAL FUNStep into Reston’s best-smelling hallway at Dano’s. Get outside with low-stress trail ideas. Cap it with this week’s top events and neighborhood news. What’s inside
|  What product are you most excited to try from Dano’s? |
Feature Story
INSIDE DANO’S GRANOLA
Reston’s sweetest-smelling hallway leads to Dano’s Granola, where “baked with love” isn’t a slogan so much as a process: from mixing and baking to sealing every organic, gluten-free bag. Founded by Reston local and former South Lakes art teacher Dania, the kitchen turns out award-winning granola, nourishing oatmeal, granola butter, and rocher-style “flavor bombs” made with real ingredients and local partners like River Sea Chocolate.
Around Town
RESTON + HERNDON HOLIDAY HIKES
Hosting for the holidays and need an easy outdoor reset? We rounded up six laid-back local trails in Reston and Herndon that are perfect for visiting family, stroller walks, and post-pie fresh air. Stroll the creekside paths at Fred Crabtree Park, loop The Glade by Walker Nature Center, or sample a section of the Cross County Trail if you want to explore something new. Lake Fairfax Park brings big park energy with water views, Frying Pan Park pairs short wooded loops with a quick farm animal visit, and Sugarland Run’s paved streamside trail is ideal for chatting while you walk. Save this guide for the long weekend.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
Vibrint opens 15,000-sq-ft office on Sunrise Valley bringing a national security tech contractor and dozens of jobs to Reston.
20-mph pilot targets Glade and Pinecrest FCDOT is seeking feedback through Dec. 19 on lower neighborhood speeds in Hunter Mill District.
Snow briefly delayed park openings Sunday with facilities opening at 9 a.m. after an overnight dusting.
Hyatt House owner floats housing conversion as Herndon weighs a broader comp plan update in early 2026.
Herndon Parks marks 50 years with a formal proclamation recognizing the department’s anniversary.
United flight returns to Dulles after engine issue no injuries reported, but it caused a jolt for weekend travelers.
Final week for Herndon vacuum leaf pickup (South of W&OD) runs through Dec. 19; bagged leaves continue on your trash day.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
Kick off Thursday, Dec 18 at 7 PM with a Holiday Party at Reston Row Plaza (Halley Rise), then head to Herndon where Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern hosts its 28th Annual Christmas Party & Casino Night. On Saturday, Dec 20, stroll Reston Town Center from noon to 3 PM as carolers soundtrack last-minute shopping, and cap the evening at Arts Herndon with “A Celtic Christmas,” an intimate blend of fiddles, pipes, and timeless carols at 7 PM. For a bonus glow-up, make a quick DC run any evening through Jan 1 to the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, where the big tree and 50+ state trees light up at sunset with easy Metro access.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…you know Robert E. Simon isn’t a street—he’s the reason.”
Your Next Step
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