Tephra ICA Arts Festival

Tephra ICA Arts Festival

The 35th annual Tephra ICA Arts Festival brings over 200 juried artists from across the United States to Reston Town Center for a weekend of fine art, craftsmanship, and community. You'll find paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, and glass work from artists who do this professionally. Unlike crowded commercial art fairs, Tephra is selective about quality and lets you talk to creators directly — kids can watch artists at work and ask about their techniques.

The festival is family-friendly with live music, food vendors, and a Children's Art Activity Area where kids can create. Reston Town Center is walkable with restaurants and cafes nearby, so you can easily grab lunch or take breaks. May weather is usually good. This is an outdoor family day without the overwhelming crowds of bigger festivals.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Head to the Children's Art Activity Area early: Free kids' art projects are in the Children's Art Activity Area (usually a tent area). Arrive early — supplies sometimes run out by afternoon!
• ✓FREE parking on weekends at Reston Town Center: That's huge! Parking garages are free Saturday & Sunday, making this a budget-friendly family outing.
• ✓Bring a stroller for little ones: Tephra is spread across the outdoor Reston Town Center area. There's lots of walking, and a stroller means kids can rest while you browse art.
• ✓Grab lunch at nearby Reston restaurants: The Town Center is surrounded by excellent restaurants and cafes. Take a break halfway through for a meal or snack — it's all within walking distance.
• ✓Wear comfortable walking shoes: You'll be exploring, browsing booths, and walking the full festival grounds. Comfortable shoes make the day infinitely more enjoyable.
• ✓Plan 2–3 hours for a full experience: With kids, you can't see everything, and that's okay. Focus on booths that interest your family, enjoy the live music, do a craft, and relax. The festival atmosphere is as much about community as art.
• ✓Saturday morning or Sunday morning is best for crowds: Mid-morning is ideal — the festival is open but not yet packed. Arrive by 10:30am for optimal experience.