Happy Thursday, Northern Virginia!
In this week’s update:
🚗 VDOT and Transurban are studying whether to turn the I-95 Express Lanes into two-way, 24/7 operation between Spotsylvania County and the Springfield interchange.
🏡 Fairfax County is moving faster on a new land-use concept that could bring more housing and mixed-use development to suburban commercial areas.
🍽️ September is packed with reasons to eat your way around the DMV, from chef collaborations and seafood festivals to Oktoberfest celebrations and Mid-Autumn feasts.
Scroll down and enjoy!
—Chris Colgan
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🎥 If I Had to Move To Northern VA in 2026, Here's Where I'd Live
Best Things To Do This Weekend in the NoVA/DC Area
First Friday in Old Town Winchester
A monthly community celebration that turns Old Town Winchester into an open-air block party: live music, local artists, vendors, and pop-up shops fill the street, making it an easy, family-friendly Friday night out.
📍 Location: Old Town Winchester, VA
📅 Date: Sept 4 | 5–10 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→
Theatre in the Park: "Woody Guthrie's American Song"
A free outdoor theater production from Theater Alliance and Reston Community Center, reimagining Woody Guthrie's classic American folk songs with a vibrant, diverse cast, a great low-key evening out at Reston Town Center.
📍 Location: Reston Town Square Park, Reston, VA
📅 Date: Sept 4–6 | 7:30–9 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→
Ricardo Montaner Live
The Latin music icon brings his tour to Fairfax for one night only, with thousands of tickets already moving, it's shaping up to be one of the region's biggest concerts of the weekend.
📍 Location: EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, VA
📅 Date: Sept 6 | 8 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Ticketed, starting around $61
MORE INFO→
🚗 I-95 Express Lanes Could Go Two-Way 24/7
Driving the news
VDOT and Transurban are studying whether to add lanes and convert the I-95 Express Lanes between Spotsylvania County and the Springfield interchange into two-way, 24-hour operations.
Right now, the express lanes are reversible. Traffic flows in one direction depending on the time of day and expected rush-hour demand.
Details
VDOT is conducting a feasibility study with Transurban, which builds and maintains Northern Virginia’s express lane network.
The agency has also started an environmental assessment.
That review will examine traffic, air quality, noise, nearby properties, and natural and historic resources.
Why it matters
For Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg-area commuters, two-way express lanes could mean more options throughout the day, not just during the peak commute direction. VDOT says adding managed capacity could also take some pressure off the regular I-95 lanes, helping local drivers spend less time stuck in traffic.
The big picture
I-95 is one of the D.C. region’s most heavily traveled commuter corridors. Turning the existing reversible system into two-way service would change how drivers use the express lanes and could provide added capacity in both directions at the same time.
Two-way I-95 Express Lanes could give Northern Virginia commuters more flexibility and add capacity to a corridor known for daily congestion. But VDOT has not released a projected cost or timeline.
🏘️ Fairfax Eyes New ‘Suburban Village Centers’ for Housing & Growth
Driving the news
Fairfax County is moving faster on a new land-use concept that could bring more housing and mixed-use development to suburban commercial areas.
The Board of Supervisors directed staff to make “suburban village centers” a top planning priority under the county’s Plan Forward update.
Details:
The designation could apply to shopping and activity centers near existing neighborhoods.
It could allow mid-rise housing, mixed-use projects or reuse of office and retail space.
Housing and redevelopment would be considered case by case.
No deadline has been set for staff recommendations.
Why it matters
The change could help Fairfax add housing, support local businesses and create more walkable community hubs without relying on large-scale redevelopment.
Fairfax has already approved denser development at places such as Providence Place, Graham Park Plaza and the Franconia Triangle. The new designation would create a broader framework for similar projects.
🍽️ September Is a Month-Long Food Crawl Across the DMV
Driving the news
September is packed with reasons to eat your way around the DMV, from chef collaborations and seafood festivals to Oktoberfest celebrations and Mid-Autumn feasts.
Restaurants, breweries and festivals across D.C., Maryland and Virginia are filling the September calendar with special dinners, tastings and cultural food events.
Details:
Sept. 5: Tomodachi Food Fest brings anime, 20+ food vendors and a beer garden to Rockville.
Sept. 10: Fish Shop at The Wharf hosts a $90 Maryland blue crab feast.
Sept. 11-13: The Maryland Seafood Festival returns for its 60th year.
Sept. 19: Alexandria Oktoberfest, the Falls Church Festival and the Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival all take place.
Sept. 22: The Falls hosts a five-course Filipino chef collaboration dinner.
Sept. 24: Tiger Fork and Hi-Lawn bring their Mid-Autumn Night Market back to Union Market.
Sept. 27: Chef Peter Chang hosts a Mid-Autumn banquet at Chang Chang.
Why it matters
September gives DMV residents plenty of ways to support local restaurants, chefs and small businesses while exploring food traditions from across the region and around the globe. Many events are also free, making it easier to turn a weekend outing into a neighborhood food adventure.
Fall food season is starting early. Oktoberfest events begin by mid-month, while seafood feasts, wine dinners and cultural festivals stretch through the end of September.
30+ food and drink events are scheduled across the region.
20+ vendors are expected at Rockville’s Tomodachi Food Fest.
100+ tequilas and mezcals will be poured at D.C.’s tequila festival.
60 years for the Maryland Seafood Festival.
If your September calendar looks empty, your plate doesn’t have to. The DMV has a full month of food festivals, chef dinners and neighborhood celebrations ahead.
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