Reston Town Center officially opened the Ice Skating Pavilion for the winter season on November 1.

Originally scheduled for October 22, the opening was pushed back due to hot and rainy weather in the Metro-D.C area.

The ice rink offers a variety of activities available for arrangement including birthday parties, corporate and private parties, and one-on-one lessons through Skate School.

Perhaps the most festive activity offered is Rock ‘n’ Skate Fridays.

“It’s pretty popular,” said Pavilion manager Ben Yashan of Rock ‘n’ Skate Fridays.  “Depending on the time of year we get about 100-200 people, but during our holiday season, we’re pretty much booked.”

In addition to Rock n’ Skate, which begins Friday, November 4, the ice rink also offers Cartoon Skate Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Most come to the lessons then stay for Cartoon Skate,” said Yashan.  “It’s a fairly decent, however younger, crowd that comes on Saturdays.”

The Ice Skating Pavilion will stay open through the second week of March.

On November 25, Reston Town Center will ring in the holiday season with the Reston Holiday Parade.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. with Macy’s-style balloons, musical groups, dancers, antique cars, costume characters, community groups, and marching bands.

Among the performers is the Seahawks Marching Band, a holiday tradition carried on through South Lakes.

The parade is followed by visits and photos of Santa and Mrs. Claus at 12:30 p.m.

Festivities continue into the evening with the tree lighting and sing along at 6 p.m., horse drawn carriage rides lasting until 10 p.m., and Rock n’ Skate at 8 p.m.

All day activities include ice skating at the Pavilion and Gingerbread Village in the lobby of the Hyatt.