Reston Pride will not hold its annual festival in 2026, the volunteer-run organization announced, citing critical capacity challenges after eight years of rapid growth.

The group, which drew nearly 6,000 people to Lake Anne Plaza for its 2025 festival, said it has outgrown the venue and lacks the leadership and operational capacity to stage another large-scale event. Instead, Reston Pride said it will spend 2026 rebuilding its foundation and hosting smaller events while supporting other local Pride organizations, according to the organization's website.

The cancellation marks the second time Reston Pride has skipped its signature event. The organization also went virtual in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eight years of growth

Founded in 2018, Reston Pride started as a gathering in a house of worship before moving to Lake Anne Plaza, according to the Reston Letter. The free, all-volunteer festival grew steadily. By 2024, it featured more than 70 vendors, FFXnow reported. The 2025 edition drew nearly 6,000 attendees and debuted a Rising Voices Concert.

"Pride without action is just a party. But Pride with purpose? That's a movement," President Bri Morgan said in her opening speech at the June 1, 2025, festival.

That growth came at a cost. An organization run entirely by volunteers now faces what it describes as an urgent need for leadership, operational support and financial sustainability.

What Reston Pride needs

The organization is urgently seeking board members with experience in nonprofit management, finance, fundraising, marketing, law and community organizing. It also needs committee leads and volunteers willing to take ownership of events, outreach, partnerships and operations. Donors and sponsors can reach out through the website; sponsorship inquiries for a planned 2027 10th-anniversary celebration are open.

The organization has not announced a deadline for volunteer recruitment or a date for the 2027 event.

What comes next

Reston Pride said the 2027 anniversary celebration hinges on whether enough volunteers step forward to stabilize the organization. Without that support, the group's future is uncertain.

Residents interested in volunteering or donating can visit restonpride.org.