Welcome to your weekly guide to everything happening in Prince William County, Virginia.

This page is updated every week with the latest restaurants, events, activities, and community news across Manassas, Gainesville, Haymarket, Woodbridge, Bristow, and the entire county. Whether you are a long-time resident, considering relocating here, or just visiting for the weekend, this is your go-to resource for living well in Prince William County.

Barbara Jennings & Home and Land Solutions at eXp Realty are your trusted local experts for all things Prince William County. With 20+ years of experience serving Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and across Northern Virginia, we know this community inside and out. If you see something here that sparks your interest, or if you are thinking about buying or selling in the area, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Restaurant of the Week: Carmello's of Old Town Manassas

This week we are highlighting Carmello's of Old Town Manassas, a family-owned Italian and Portuguese fine-dining restaurant that has anchored the historic district since 1987. Founder Alice Pires, a Portuguese immigrant, built the restaurant around an Old World blend of Portuguese and Italian cooking, made from scratch with herbs grown in its own garden. It is one of the most beloved special-occasion dining rooms in Prince William County.

Address	9108 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110 (Old Town Manassas)
Cuisine	Contemporary Italian and Portuguese fine dining, made from scratch
Known For	Signature bacon-wrapped pork tenderloins, herbs from the restaurant's own garden, and a warm, historic-district dining room
Reputation	Rated roughly 4.6 stars on Google with more than 1,600 reviews, and a repeated favorite of local dining guides

Carmello's sits right on Center Street in the heart of Old Town Manassas, which makes it an easy anchor for a date night: dinner, then a walk past the historic storefronts and rail depot. The menu balances Italian classics with Portuguese influences, and the restaurant is frequently recommended in local "date night" roundups for its consistent kitchen and romantic, old-school atmosphere.

For menus and reservations, visit the Visit Manassas listing for Carmello's or call the restaurant directly.

Updated October 7, 2026

Community Events This Week (October 8 - 11, 2026)

Fall programming is in full swing across the county this week, from Civil War history in Bristow to a family movie night and the year-round Dale City Farmers Market. Here are the events to put on your calendar:

163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station

Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 9250 Lee Avenue, Manassas

The county marks the 163rd anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Bristoe Station with living history at the battlefield heritage park. The program is free and open to the public, and the park's trails are a great fall walk for families.

Movie in the Park: "Minions & Monsters"

Friday, October 9 | Veterans Memorial Park

Prince William County Parks & Recreation hosts a family-friendly outdoor movie night at Veterans Memorial Park. Bring blankets and chairs for an easy Friday evening, with the park's fall decorations setting the mood.

Kayaking Essentials at Silver Lake Park

Saturday, October 10 | Silver Lake Park, Haymarket

A roughly 2.5-hour intro course covering trip planning, launching, and turning, held at Silver Lake Park in western Prince William. Register through Prince William County Parks & Recreation, which runs the county's fall paddling programs.

Parenting of School-Age Children (Ages 6-12)

Thursday, October 8, 6:50 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | Virtual (Virginia Cooperative Extension)

Virginia Cooperative Extension's virtual parenting series continues with a live evening program for parents of elementary-age kids. The class covers practical, research-based strategies for everyday family life, and it is free to join online.

Dale City Farmers Market

Sunday, October 11, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City

The year-round Dale City Farmers Market runs every Sunday, and October is prime season for apples, mums, pumpkins, and fall produce from Virginia farms. A relaxed way to stock up for the week and support local growers.

Pro tip: For the most up-to-date event listings, check the Prince William County Parks & Recreation events page and the Visit Prince William events calendar.

Updated October 7, 2026

Local News and Developments

From a major shift in data center policy to the county's new net-zero-energy school and a key interchange project, here are the stories shaping Prince William County right now:

Supervisors Move to End Most By-Right Data Center Development

In late September, the Board of County Supervisors voted to end most by-right data center development, shrinking the county's Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District from roughly 9,700 acres to about 3,641 acres so new projects must go through a special use permit process. The move follows July's unanimous rejection of the proposed 2,000-acre Dulles South Innovation Center and gives residents a greater say in where large-scale data centers can be built.

Occoquan Elementary Opens as County's First Net-Zero-Energy School

Prince William County Public Schools held its ribbon-cutting for the new Occoquan Elementary School on October 1-2, 2026, replacing the district's nearly century-old oldest school building. The new facility is PWCS's first net-zero-energy school, designed to generate as much energy as it uses, and marks a major investment in the eastern part of the county.

Parkway-Minnieville Interchange Work Advances with Fall Detours

Construction on the $81 million Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road interchange, which broke ground in May 2026, moved into its next phase with detours beginning September 25, 2026. The project is expected to be complete in spring 2028 and will relieve one of the county's most congested intersections.

For the latest official updates, follow the Board of County Supervisors news page on the county website.

Updated October 7, 2026

Things to Do This Weekend in Prince William County

Mid-October is peak fall in Prince William County: pumpkin patches are in full swing, the county's Halloween lineup is opening, and crisp weather is perfect for hiking and history. Here are our top picks for October 10-11:

Family & Outdoor

Bristoe Station Battlefield Anniversary Celebrate 163 years of history at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park on Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The living-history event is free, and the park's Civil War trails are an easy fall walk for all ages.

Pumpkin Patch Season in Western Prince William Evergreen Acres in Nokesville (12801 Hazelwood Drive, 703-594-3330) is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with pick-in-the-field pumpkins and tractor hayrides, while Yankey Farms (14039 Owls Nest Road, Nokesville) and Burnside Farms in Haymarket round out the county's pick-your-own lineup through late October.

Haunted Mini Golf at Locust Shade Park Locust Shade Park in Woodbridge has turned its 18-hole course into a family-friendly haunted mini golf experience running through October 31. A great low-key fall outing for kids who want spooky without the scare.

Dale City Farmers Market Sunday morning, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 14090 Gemini Way in Dale City, is peak fall at the market: apples, pumpkins, mums, and Virginia-grown produce from local farms.

Date Night

An Old Town Manassas Evening Start with dinner at this week's featured restaurant, Carmello's at 9108 Center Street, then stroll Old Town's historic storefronts and rail depot as the autumn lights come on. It is one of the most polished date nights in the county, and October evenings in Old Town are made for it.

A Wine Country Drive in Haymarket For a quieter evening, drive out to The Winery at La Grange in Haymarket, the county's oldest winery, set against 18th-century manor grounds at the foot of Bull Run Mountain. Weekend tastings with fall foliage views make it a favorite of local wine trails.

Fall flavor note: Pumpkin season is officially here. Between Evergreen Acres and Yankey Farms in Nokesville and Burnside Farms in Haymarket, the county has pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides, and fall flowers on working farms. Perfect for a weekend drive through western Prince William.

Updated October 7, 2026

Market Spotlight: Prince William County Real Estate Update

Prince William County's market is holding steady as we move deeper into the fall selling season. The most recent figures published by the Prince William Association of Realtors (PWAR) date to its June 2026 market report, and third-party market trackers continue to update median price and days-on-market estimates. Here is the latest verified data we can confirm:

$555,000

Median Sale Price (Redfin, Feb 2026)

+0.9% Year Over Year

Avg Days on Market (Redfin, Feb 2026)

Up From 28 Days a Year Earlier

663

Closed Sales (PWAR, June 2026)

+18.2% vs. June 2025 · Above 5-Yr Avg of 658

641

New Listings (PWAR, June 2026)

+17% vs. June 2025 · Inventory at a Five-Year High

Sales momentum: The most recent PWAR report shows 663 closed sales in June 2026, up 18.2% from June 2025 and above the five-year June average of 658, with 623 pending sales, up 9.1% year over year.

Inventory keeps climbing: PWAR reported inventory at a five-year high in June 2026, with 641 new listings added during the month, up 17% from a year earlier. Buyers have more choice than they have had in years, and home shoppers are taking slightly longer to decide.

Median price and days on market: Redfin's most recent countywide estimate puts the median sale price at $555,000 (up 0.9% year over year) with homes selling in about 41 days, up from 28 days a year earlier, reflecting the market's more balanced pace. Zillow's typical home value estimate was about $525,653 as of January 2026.

Why verification matters: PWAR had not yet published its September or October 2026 market reports as of this update, so the figures above are the most recent confirmed data available, with each source and date noted. For the newest countywide numbers, check the PWAR market statistics page and Redfin's Prince William County housing market tracker.

Key takeaways for buyers: More inventory means more time to compare communities and negotiate, though well-priced homes in sought-after neighborhoods still draw offers quickly. Getting pre-approved before you start touring remains the smartest first step.

Key takeaways for sellers: With buyers taking longer to decide, accurate pricing and aggressive marketing matter more than ever. The 100-Point Marketing Plan is designed to help sellers maximize exposure in this market.

For a deeper dive into your specific neighborhood or a free home valuation, call Barbara Jennings at (540) 840-1133.

Updated October 7, 2026

Community Spotlight: The ARTfactory, Manassas

This week we are highlighting The ARTfactory, a not-for-profit creative arts organization in Old Town Manassas. Founded in 1984 by a group of artists and art lovers, it operates out of the historic Hopkins Candy Factory building and offers visual and performing arts programming for all ages: rotating gallery exhibits, theatre productions, classes, workshops, and summer camps.

This fall the ARTfactory has become one of the county's most talked-about Halloween destinations with "Factory of Fear: Outbreak", an immersive haunted attraction opening October 15, 2026, with live scare actors and special effects. It is also home to Actors Theatre at the ARTfactory, whose current season includes "Disney's Frozen The Broadway Musical." Whether you come for the gallery, a class, or the haunted house, the ARTfactory is a genuine hub of the Manassas creative scene.

Contact: (703) 330-2787 | info@virginiaartfactory.org | virginiaartfactory.org | 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, VA 20110

Know a business, nonprofit, or community group we should feature? Email us at Yourexpertadvisors@gmail.com and tell us about the great work you are doing in Prince William County.

Updated October 7, 2026

Seasonal Highlights: October in Prince William County

October in Prince William County means pumpkin patches, haunted attractions, and the first crisp evenings of fall. Here is what we are watching this month:

The County's Halloween Lineup Opens Prince William County Parks has a full lineup running through October 31, including the family-friendly haunted mini golf at Locust Shade Park in Woodbridge, trunk-or-treat events, and seasonal programs at parks across the county. Everything is family-scaled and runs through the end of the month.

Factory of Fear Returns to Manassas The ARTfactory's annual haunted fundraiser, "Factory of Fear: Outbreak," opens October 15 at 9419 Battle Street in Old Town Manassas, transforming the historic factory building into a four-floor immersive attraction with live scare actors. Tickets are $25 and support the nonprofit arts center.

Spirits of Brentsville Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre in Bristow hosts its haunted and cemetery tours on October 16 and 23, offering a historic, story-driven twist on the season at one of the county's oldest sites.

Pumpkin Patch Season Evergreen Acres (12801 Hazelwood Drive, Nokesville), Yankey Farms (14039 Owls Nest Road, Nokesville), and Burnside Farms in Haymarket are all running pick-your-own pumpkin and fall flower seasons through late October, many with hayrides and farm animals.

Peak Foliage and Fall Hiking This is prime leaf-peeping season at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, the Bull Run Mountains near Haymarket, and along the county's historic corridor. Pair a hike with a tasting at The Winery at La Grange for a full fall day outdoors.

Updated October 7, 2026

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Prince William County?

Contact Barbara & Douglas Jennings. Phone: 540-840-1133

(540) 840-1133 Book a Consultation

Or email us at Yourexpertadvisors@gmail.com

Sources & Methodology

Data points in this article are sourced from Prince William County Parks & Recreation and county announcements, the Prince William County Public Schools newsroom, PWAR market reports via Bright MLS, Redfin and Zillow housing market data, Visit Manassas, the ARTfactory, and published local news reports current as of October 7, 2026. Market trends and pricing data reflect the most recent verified figures publicly available as of the date of publication, with each source and reporting month noted in the text. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Square footage, lot sizes, and tax assessments should be independently verified. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.