🎃 October in Northern Virginia and DC is stacked with can’t-miss moments — from Keith Urban’s big night in Bristow to candlelit wine tastings at Mount Vernon, spooky Poe performances in Alexandria, and the thrills of Fields of Fear at Cox Farms. Want the full list of 14 events you shouldn’t miss?

📦 IKEA is making a big move in Northern Virginia, and it’s not where you’d expect. One of the region’s best-known event venues is about to get a furniture-filled makeover.

🏡 More Northern Virginia sellers are pulling homes off the market, but not for the reasons you might think. From price expectations to shifting buyer leverage, the landscape is changing fast.

October is packed with music, festivals, art, and spooky fun. Here’s your quick guide to what’s happening this month:

✨ Keith Urban – Oct 4, Bristow | Country superstar live at Jiffy Lube Live.
🩰 Frankenstein Ballet – Oct 17–19, Manassas | A haunting twist on Mary Shelley’s classic.
🎶 Noah Reid – Oct 22, Alexandria | Schitt’s Creek star turned folk-pop musician.
🎤 The War and Treaty – Oct 21 & 23, Vienna | Soulful, high-energy duo at Wolf Trap.
🎺 Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Oct 25, Vienna | New Orleans jazz, funk, and soul.

🍺 Vienna Oktoberfest – Oct 4, Vienna | Beer, German eats, and live music, free entry.
🍷 Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival – Oct 10–12, Mount Vernon | 20+ wineries & candlelit tours.
🍴 Taste of NoVA – Oct 11–12, Fort Belvoir | 120+ chefs, tastings, and demos.
🎃 Old Town Manassas Fall-o-ween – Oct 26, Manassas | Parades, crafts, and Halloween fun.
🌽 Cox Farms Festival & Fields of Fear – Through Nov 9, Centreville | Daytime hayrides & pumpkin picking, haunted nights after dark.

🎻 The Lark & Four Seasons – Oct 11, Fairfax | Classical meets modern symphony.
🖼️ Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe – Oct 24–Jan 2027, DC | Free exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian.
📖 Poe in Alexandria – Oct 29–30, Alexandria | Spooky readings of Poe’s tales.

🦕 Scraposaurs – Through Oct 19, Winchester | Life-size dinosaurs made from recycled materials.

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Driving the news: Swedish furniture giant IKEA is officially setting up shop in Chantilly, VA, transforming the South Hall of the Dulles Expo Center into a 109,000-square-foot store.

Details:

Why it matters: For residents of Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and nearby areas, this new IKEA means less time on I-95 and more time actually shopping. It also signals growing retail confidence in Chantilly, a well-located hub near Dulles Airport and major highways.

This move is a boost for both homeowners and renters looking for affordable, functional design without a long haul to Potomac Mills.

Between the lines: Locals may wonder what this means for events like the CSA Sports Show or home expos. With only the South Hall in play, there’s still room for events — for now.

What’s next: Expect visible activity once construction permits are approved. In the meantime, residents can look forward to shorter drives for BILLY bookcases and LACK tables.

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Driving the news: More sellers across Northern Virginia are yanking their listings instead of adjusting to buyer expectations.

In August, nearly 3,000 homes were withdrawn across Bright MLS—up 25% from last year.

Details:

Why it matters: For Northern Virginia, a rise in delistings means more homes could return later with realistic pricing. That helps buyers gain leverage while giving serious sellers a clearer sense of today’s market.

The shift supports healthier, steadier growth for local neighborhoods instead of pandemic-era bidding frenzies.

The big picture: The market is slower and more price-sensitive. Sellers who adjust to local comps and give homes longer time on market are more likely to succeed.

Buyers, meanwhile, are seeing more opportunities for concessions and better terms.

What’s next: Expect more price corrections this fall as sellers recalibrate. Buyers who stay active could benefit from concessions and motivated sellers, while withdrawn homes may return at more realistic prices.

The bottom line: Northern Virginia’s market is shifting from speed to strategy. Sellers need patience and sharper pricing, while buyers finally have more room to negotiate.

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Washington, DC’s housing market is holding steady—but don’t get too comfy. Median sale prices slipped 1.1% to around $703K, and homes linger about 56 days—14 days longer than last year. Buyers still make roughly two offers per listing, with a 98.2% sale-to-list ratio and just 20% selling above list.

For Buyers: More time to negotiate and less competition mean better leverage—if you’re ready to move when the right home pops up.

For Sellers: Pricing strategically is key. With fewer bidding wars, standout marketing and presentation will help you attract motivated buyers fast.