Happy Friday, Northern Virginia!
In todayās update:
āļø Trump says Dulles is "terrible" (and he's got plans to fix it). A surprise cabinet room announcement kicked off talk of a major rebuild, and it could bring big changes to Virginia's busiest international airport.
š Northern Virginia turns into a holiday postcard this time of year, from glowing main streets to hand-painted window murals and iconic light displays. Check the five spots locals swear by if you want the full holiday magic.
ā³ Big changes are landing in Manassas, just not as soon as expected. The region's plan for a faster, more convenient way to fly is still on track, but now youāll need to wait until 2027.
Scroll down and enjoy!
āChris Colgan
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Best Things To Do This Weekend
in the NoVA/DC Area
Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
Enjoy a festive outdoor market packed with handmade gifts, holiday decor, ornaments, live carolers, warm drinks, photos with Santa, and a kids crafting station where little ones can make their own ornaments.
š Location: John Carlyle Square, Alexandria
š
Date & Time: Dec 13 | 11 AM to 4 PM
šļø Tickets: Free
MORE INFOā
Herndon WinterMarkt
A traditional German-inspired holiday market featuring over 50 vendors offering handcrafted decorations, woodworking, art, textiles, festive bites, and seasonal drinks.
š Location: Corner of Lynn and Station Streets, Herndon
š
Date & Time: Dec 13 | 12 PM to 7 PM
šļø Tickets: Free
MORE INFOā
WWE Saturday Nightās Main Event
John Cena steps into the ring for the final match of his legendary career, facing Gunther, plus three additional fights on the card. Stream on Peacock if you canāt attend in person.
š Location: Capital One Arena, Washington DC
š
Date & Time: Dec 13 | 7:30 PM
šļø Tickets: Starting at $401
MORE INFOā
āļø Trump Eyes Major Makeover for
Dulles Airport
Driving the news: President Trump announced plans to rebuild Washington Dulles International Airport, calling it āa terrible airportā during a cabinet meeting on Dec. 2. The redesign would include replacing the outdated people mover system.
Details:
Trump criticized Dulles as āincorrectly designedā despite praising its iconic terminal by architect Eero Saarinen.
He said the administration has āan amazing planā but didnāt share specifics.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the Department of Transportation plans to request bids to overhaul the mobile lounges (one of which crashed in November, injuring 18).
Trump personally surveyed the site last month, according to the AP.
Why it matters: Dulles is a major hub handling 27 million passengers annually. A full-scale upgrade could ease congestion, improve traveler experience, and modernize one of the countryās busiest international gateways.
For Northern Virginia and the D.C. region, it signals potential new jobs, improved infrastructure, and a more competitive airport to attract travelers and airlines.
The big picture: Dulles opened in 1962 and is managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Itās already undergoing changes, including a new concourse set for 2026 and a long-term goal to serve 38 million passengers by 2040.
Whatās next: Expect contract bids to start rolling in for the people mover overhaul. Meanwhile, local officials and aviation stakeholders will likely press for transparency and timelines around the broader redevelopment plan.
The bottom line: Trumpās proposal could reshape the future of Dulles. While full details are still under wraps, the push signals federal focus on upgrading a critical piece of Virginiaās transportation network.
š Holiday Main Streets Worth
Strolling in NoVA
If youāre looking for that classic holiday magic, Northern Virginiaās small towns deliver. From twinkling lights to hand-painted window art, these main streets turn into some of the regionās most charming winter backdrops.
Hereās a quick guide to the canāt-miss spots this season:
Downtown Leesburg
A true storybook scene. Historic downtown Leesburg transforms each winter with glowing shop windows, greenery wrapped around streetlamps, and festive bows across its brick-lined streets. The mix of warm lights and old architecture creates an old-world atmosphere that feels straight out of a Dickens tale.
Vienna
Vienna brings big holiday nostalgia. Church Street, known for its local shops and standout restaurants, becomes even more charming this time of year. Expect garlands, wreaths, twinkling lights, and plenty of cozy storefronts perfect for a slow afternoon walk.
Del Ray Window Murals
Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray comes alive with hand-painted holiday murals created by local artists. If you want something unique, stop by the Del Ray Holiday Kick-Off on Sunday, December 7 at 6 p.m. at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square. Thousands of luminarias line the avenue, creating a one-of-a-kind glow.
Old Town Alexandria: King Streetās Mile of Lights
King Street absolutely earns its nickname. The entire stretch lights up with shimmering trees, white lights, and intricately decorated boutiques. Itās a great pick for dinner, holiday shopping, or a romantic evening stroll surrounded by glowing storefronts.
Washington Street, Middleburg
Middleburgās charm is on full display for the holidays. Washington Street features a towering Christmas tree, bright lights, garlands, and wreaths. Combine that with the townās popular holiday parade, and it becomes a true bucket-list stop for the season.
Interested in more details? CLICK HEREā
š„ Massive Changes in Gainesville, VA & Best Restaurants for 2026 | Real NoVa Ep 15
In this episode of NoVA Network, we dive into the latest real estate buzz in
Northern Virginia!
š¬ Letās Connect: Buying, Selling, or Growing Your Brand in Northern Virginia?
Whether youāre looking to move to Fairfax, Prince William, Winchester, Alexandria, Arlington, or Reston ā or want help growing your business with smart, local content Iāve got you covered.
š Explore homes for sale across Northern Virginia
š² DM me on Instagram for real estate or content marketing help
š¼ Visit ColganTeam.com to learn more or collaborate on your next project
ā³ The Regionās Newest Airport Just Got Pushed Back ā Hereās Why
Driving the news: Manassas Regional Airportās bid to become Northern Virginiaās newest commercial-service airport just cleared a major regulatory hurdle, but travelers will have to wait until spring 2027 for the first takeoff.
Details:
Construction delays on taxiway and runway bridges have pushed the launch from 2025 to 2027.
The airport received a key letter from the FAA confirming it has met core criteria to become a passenger-service airport.
Avports, the private operator managing the transition, still needs to finalize agreements with airlines.
The new terminal promises "curb to gate" times of 7ā12 minutes, a major perk over Dulles or Reagan.
Expect a modest rollout with just one or two airlines at launch.
A new air traffic control tower is 70% designed and could break ground in early 2027, pending FAA funding.
Why it matters: Manassasā expansion fills a critical gap in air service for the WashingtonāBaltimore metro. With the region lagging behind other major cities in airport access, HEFās shift to commercial status means shorter drives and faster boarding for local travelers, a convenience especially welcomed by families, business travelers, and nearby communities.
The big picture: Rather than rivaling major hubs like Dulles or BWI, HEF is positioning itself as a complementary airport, a launch pad for new carriers looking to tap into the growing demand for local service.
Between the lines: A name change could be on the horizon. The airport commission is exploring rebranding options following a request from one of its fixed-base operators.
Whatās next: Environmental assessments are ongoing, and terminal development continues. Avports aims to prove demand and build momentum with early airline partners before scaling up.
š Our Current Local Market Numbers
Washington DCās market is still competitive. Median sale price hit $680K last month, up 2.3 percent year over year. Homes are selling in about 55 days on average, slower than last year. Total sales dipped 9.5 percent year over year. Price per square foot fell to $488, down 6.5 percent. Inventory is edging up while momentum softens. Could be a smart entry point if youāre ready.
For buyers: Rising inventory and slower days on market give you room to negotiate. Stay pre-approved and move when the right home pops up.
For sellers: Prices are still holding, but buyers expect value. Clean presentation, smart pricing, and strong agent strategy matter more than ever.
šļø In Other Newsā¦
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And donāt forget to tell me which one was your favorite. See ya!

Chris Colgan - EXP Realty Powered by Place
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