What's Happening in Prince William County, Virginia: Your Weekly Guide
Welcome to your weekly guide to everything happening in Prince William County, Virginia. This page is updated every Monday with the latest restaurants, events, activities, and community news so you always know what is going on in Manassas, Gainesville, Haymarket, Woodbridge, Bristow, and beyond.
Whether you are a longtime resident, considering moving to the area, or just visiting for the weekend, this is your go-to resource for things to do in Prince William County. Bookmark this page and check back each week for fresh recommendations and local insights.
This is the first full weekend after the county's October calendar opened with the Manassas Fall Jubilee, and the momentum carries straight through: the 163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station brings history to life in Manassas, the Manassas Park Fire Department opens its doors for a free family open house, the Potomac Festival Fall Fest fills Woodbridge with vendors, and Friday night's free Movie in the Park at Veterans Memorial Park is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Add the Dale City and Haymarket farmers markets on Sunday, the season's crispest mornings yet, and pumpkin patch season in full swing, and there is plenty of reason to get out and enjoy the county.
Prince William County offers an incredible quality of life, from historic Old Town Manassas to the rolling hills of Haymarket and the Potomac River waterfront in Woodbridge. Here is everything happening across the county this week, updated October 9, 2026.
Restaurant of the Week
The Black Sheep Restaurant
Location: 9935 Discovery Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20109. Call ahead to confirm hours or make a reservation; the restaurant anchors the Farm Brew LIVE campus and is an easy stop before or after an afternoon there.
Cuisine: A whiskey, wine, and noshery set inside the historic 1929 Thomasson Barn, serving tapas-style, world-inspired comfort food. It is one of the most talked-about dining rooms in Manassas, named a top Manassas restaurant by Northern Virginia Magazine in January 2026 and holding roughly 4.7 stars across more than 2,000 reviews.
What to Order: The Bourbon Butter Cake is the signature finish, and the American Kobe Burger is a crowd favorite. Weekend brunch brings chicken and waffles, and the small-plate menu is built for sharing around a table. Whiskey lovers can work through a list of more than 200 pours, with craft cocktails to match.
Price Range: Moderate, comfortable mid-range dining with a full bar and a wine and whiskey list worth lingering over; small plates and burgers keep it approachable for a weeknight or a special occasion.
Atmosphere: Rustic and warm inside a restored century-old barn, with exposed beams, a long bar, and a convivial buzz that makes it feel like a true neighborhood gathering place. It is a great pick for date night or a relaxed evening out with friends.
After last week's white-tablecloth Italian in Old Town, this is a different kind of evening: rustic, spirited, and built for sharing in the shadows of a 1929 barn. Pair a flight with the Bourbon Butter Cake and you will understand why it keeps showing up on the county's best-of lists.
Updated October 9, 2026
Community Events This Week
Here are the top Prince William County events happening this week, October 9 through October 15, 2026. Events and dates are sourced from official town, county, and venue listings on pwcva.gov, visitmanassas.org, princewilliamliving.com, and the venues themselves. Ticket events sell out early, so confirm details with organizers before you go.
Movie in the Park: Minions & Monsters
Time: 7:45 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 14300 Veterans Drive, Woodbridge
Cost: Free; popcorn and water provided, no tickets required
Prince William County Parks and Recreation kicks off the weekend with a free family movie under the stars at Veterans Memorial Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, settle in on the grass, and let the kids enjoy the show as the October evening cools.
163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, 9250 Lee Avenue, Manassas
Cost: Free
History comes alive at the county's Bristoe Station Battlefield as interpreters mark the 163rd anniversary of the October 1863 Civil War battle. It is a free, family-friendly afternoon of living history on the very ground where the engagement unfolded, perfect for local history buffs and curious kids alike.
Manassas Park Fire Department Open House
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: 9080 Manassas Drive, Manassas Park
Cost: Free
The Manassas Park Fire Department opens its station to the community for a free family open house, with apparatus on display, safety demonstrations, and a hands-on chance for kids to meet the firefighters who protect the area.
Potomac Festival Fall Fest
Time: Noon to 4:00 PM
Location: Woodbridge
Cost: Free; vendors priced individually
A free community fall festival in Woodbridge with local vendors, seasonal offerings, and family-friendly activities. It is a relaxed, low-key way to spend a Saturday afternoon in the eastern part of the county.
Walk to End Alzheimer's & Breast Cancer Awareness 5K
Time: Walk to End Alzheimer's at 8:30 AM; 5K Walk for a Cure at 8:00 AM
Location: Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center Street, Manassas; Springs Gate Chapel, Lake Ridge
Cost: Free to join; donations welcome
Two community walks for meaningful causes share the Saturday morning calendar. The Walk to End Alzheimer's steps off from the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas, while the Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Walk for a Cure gathers at Springs Gate Chapel in Lake Ridge. Both are free to join and a meaningful way to start the weekend.
Dale City Farmers Market
Time: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Sundays
Location: Dale City Commuter Lot, 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City (Woodbridge)
Cost: Free entry
The county's year-round Sunday produce market at the Dale City commuter lot brings dozens of vendors selling local produce, baked goods, jams, flowers, and more. With apples, squash, and mums arriving for fall, it is a lovely way to start Sunday morning.
Haymarket Farmers Market
Time: Sunday mornings; check town listings for exact hours
Location: Old Town Haymarket
Cost: Free entry
The western county's Sunday market returns to Old Town Haymarket, offering local produce, baked goods, and crafts from area farms and makers. It is a charming, small-town way to stock up for the week ahead.
8th Kollywood Night 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas
Cost: Ticketed; check the venue for availability
The Hylton Center hosts the eighth annual Kollywood Night, a celebration of South Indian cinema and culture that has become a signature community event in Manassas. It is a vibrant evening of music, dance, and performance that reflects the county's diverse community.
Historic Manassas Farmers Market (Thursday)
Time: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center Street, Manassas
Cost: Free entry
The midweek edition of the Historic Manassas market at the Harris Pavilion runs Thursdays through October 29, a perfect stop for early fall produce, apples, and pumpkins ahead of the weekend.
Looking further ahead: the town of Haymarket's biggest day of the year, Haymarket Day, fills Old Town Haymarket on Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM with more than 250 vendors, a parade, and family fun. The county's annual Great Pumpkin Party for young children follows on Friday, October 23, and Woodbridge's Fall-O-Ween family Halloween festival returns to Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center on Saturday, October 24.
Updated October 9, 2026
Local News and Developments
Prince William County continues to grow and transform. Here is what is new, sourced from county government, the school division, and local news reporting as of this week.
PWCS Opens Its First Net-Zero Energy School
Prince William County Public Schools cut the ribbon on the new Occoquan Elementary School in Woodbridge on September 30, replacing a nearly century-old building. The school is the division's first net-zero energy facility, using rooftop solar and geothermal wells to avoid grid reliance, and it expands capacity by more than 200 students to roughly 850. It opened for the 2026-27 school year and is a striking example of the county's investment in modern, sustainable schools.
Early Voting Underway With Expanded Hours
Early voting is underway across Prince William County with expanded locations and hours, and from October 18 all six early voting locations will be open daily through October 31. It is a convenient window for residents to cast a ballot before Election Day, so check the county's voter information for your nearest site and hours.
County Takes Landmark Vote on Data Center Zoning
The Board of County Supervisors approved a landmark zoning text amendment in late September revising the Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District (DCOZOD), updating the rules for data center uses and overlay boundaries. The vote is part of a broader, countywide Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance update begun in March 2026 to align regulations with growth, housing, business, and sustainability goals. It is one of the most consequential land-use decisions in the county this year.
Police Begin Towing for Excessive Parking Violations
Prince William County Police began towing vehicles for excessive parking violations effective October 1, 2026. The change is aimed at clearing chronic trouble spots, and the department also graduated its 64th Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement School session on October 2. Residents with questions about the new enforcement should contact the police department directly.
School Division News: October 12 Is a Student Holiday
Prince William County Public Schools has October 12 marked as a professional development day, with no school for students. It is a good week to plan a family outing, and parents can also mark their calendars for the division's October Advisory Committee meetings, which are open to the public.
Small Business Center at Chinn Library Nears Completion
The county's Small Business Center at Chinn Library is expected to complete construction this fall, adding a dedicated hub for entrepreneurs to access resources, workshops, and guidance. It is the latest sign of the county's entrepreneurial momentum, which has seen a steady wave of new restaurants, salons, and services open across Prince William County throughout 2026.
County Launches Procurement Disparity Study
The county's Office of Procurement launched a comprehensive disparity study in October to examine its contracting and procurement practices. The study will help shape how the county does business with local and minority-owned firms, and it is part of a broader effort to make county contracting more inclusive and accessible.
Updated October 9, 2026
Things to Do This Weekend
This weekend, October 10-11, is anchored by the 163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station in Manassas, the Manassas Park Fire Department Open House, and the Potomac Festival Fall Fest in Woodbridge, with Friday night's free Movie in the Park kicking things off and the Dale City and Haymarket farmers markets rounding out Sunday. Here is how to make the most of it.
Outdoor Activities
- Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park
The 163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station on Saturday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is the weekend's headline outdoor event. Walk the preserved battlefield at 9250 Lee Avenue in Manassas with living-history interpreters, and take in the fall color that has begun to spread across the county's parks.
- Prince William Forest Park
This National Park Service preserve near Triangle is the largest protected green space in the Washington metro area, with 37-plus miles of hiking trails. The Birch Bluff Trail (1.8 miles, creekside and easy) is a lovely pick for cool October mornings, while the moderate 7.1-mile Pyrite Mine Loop rewards stronger hikers with old mine ruins and waterfalls. The visitor center is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.
- Leesylvania State Park
This 508-acre Potomac River park in Woodbridge offers hiking trails, a universally accessible fishing pier, boat launch ramps, and picnic areas. As the leaves turn, it is an especially peaceful weekend walk along the river, and the fishing pier is a favorite spot for watching the light fade over the water.
Family Activities
- Manassas Park Fire Department Open House
Free and family-friendly at 9080 Manassas Drive on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with fire apparatus on display and safety demonstrations. Kids can get up close to the trucks and meet the firefighters who protect the community.
- Potomac Festival Fall Fest
A free community fall festival in Woodbridge from noon to 4:00 PM with local vendors and family-friendly activities. It is a relaxed, low-key outing for the whole family on a crisp Saturday afternoon.
- Movie in the Park, Friday Night
Kick the weekend off early with the free family movie, Minions & Monsters, at Veterans Memorial Park in Woodbridge on Friday at 7:45 PM. Popcorn and water are provided, no tickets required, and it is a perfect way to ease into the weekend with the kids.
Date Night Ideas
- Whiskey and Small Plates at The Black Sheep
This week's featured restaurant, The Black Sheep at 9935 Discovery Boulevard in Manassas, is a rustic whiskey and wine bar inside a historic 1929 barn. Share the small plates, split the Bourbon Butter Cake, and linger over a flight from a list of more than 200 whiskeys. It is a warm, memorable date night.
- Virginia Wine Month Tastings
October is Virginia Wine Month, and Prince William County's wineries are celebrating all month. The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm on Lake Manassas in Gainesville and Effingham Manor & Winery in Nokesville are both scenic, relaxed stops for an afternoon tasting as the leaves turn.
- Historic Occoquan Riverfront Stroll
The historic riverfront town of Occoquan, on the county's eastern edge, is a classic date-night spot with boutiques, restaurants, and river views. A walk along the Occoquan as the evening light falls over the water is a quiet, romantic way to end the weekend.
Updated October 9, 2026
Market Spotlight: Prince William County Real Estate
Understanding the local real estate market is essential whether you are buying, selling, or simply curious about your home's value. Here is the latest Prince William County real estate data, sourced from the Prince William Association of Realtors (PWAR) and Bright MLS reporting.
The most recent official county report, released by the Prince William Association of Realtors, covers June 2026: a median sold price of $600,000, flat month over month and year over year, with 663 closed sales for the month, up 18.2 percent from a year earlier. Active listings reached 935, up 21 percent year over year and the highest June inventory in five years. Year to date, the median sits near $580,000, up about 2.5 percent versus 2025.
The through-line of 2026 so far is easy to state: prices are stable at around $600,000 with low single-digit annual movement rather than rapid appreciation, while inventory has climbed to levels not seen since before the pandemic-era frenzy. Local analysis describes the county as a balanced market with roughly three to four months of supply, giving buyers more options and more room to negotiate than they have had in years, while sellers who price realistically and market well still close in about two to three weeks.
September figures are expected to publish through PWAR in the coming weeks, so check back next week for the newest reading. Because conditions vary by neighborhood, from Gainesville and Haymarket to Woodbridge and Dale City, an up-to-date comparative market analysis is the most reliable way to understand what your home is worth or what you can expect to pay in a specific community today.
Looking ahead, the balanced conditions that have defined 2026 appear poised to continue into the fall: the PWAR June report summarized the county as showing "strong momentum as sales and inventory continue to grow," the pattern that has held all year. Anyone considering a move in Prince William County should watch the next PWAR report for confirmation, and talk with a local agent about how their specific neighborhood is trending.
Updated October 9, 2026
Community Spotlight
Each week we feature a local organization making a difference in Prince William County.
Volunteer Prince William
About: Volunteer Prince William is the county's central volunteer hub, founded in 1981 and connecting residents with nonprofits and community needs across Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. It is the place to start if you want to give back but are not sure where to begin.
What They Do: The organization matches volunteers with local nonprofits and runs signature programs of its own, including the "Untrim a Tree" and Senior Basket program that in late 2025 delivered holiday gifts to a record 1,009 seniors and more than 4,000 children. It also supports EMS programs and court-ordered community service, and in March 2026 the county co-hosted a nonprofit volunteer-workforce summit with Volunteer Prince William, the Prince William Chamber, and regional health partners.
Why We Love Them: As the holidays approach, Volunteer Prince William is the single best gateway to seasonal giving in the county, whether you want to adopt a senior's holiday wish, wrap gifts for children, or lend a hand at a local nonprofit. Its record-breaking holiday drive shows just how much the county can accomplish together.
How to Help: Browse volunteer opportunities by interest and availability, sign up for a one-time project or an ongoing role, or support the organization's holiday programs as they gear up for the season. Nonprofits across the county post their needs through the hub year-round.
Get Involved: Visit volunteerprincewilliam.org to find opportunities, learn about its programs, or connect your organization with volunteers.
Updated October 9, 2026
Seasonal Highlights: October 2026 in Prince William County
Mid-October has arrived, and the county's calendar is moving at full autumn speed: pumpkin patches, harvest markets, Virginia Wine Month, and the approach of the season's biggest festivals. Cooler mornings and golden light are here to stay.
October Is Virginia Wine Month
The commonwealth celebrates wine all month, and Prince William County is a perfect place to join in. The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm on Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Effingham Manor and Winery in Nokesville, and The Winery at La Grange in Haymarket are all scenic stops for a fall tasting as the leaves turn.
Fall Foliage Nears Peak
Eastern Virginia's peak color typically arrives late in the season, roughly October 20-31, and the county's parks and river views get more beautiful with every passing week. Plan a leaf-peeping hike at Prince William Forest Park or a stroll along the Occoquan for late October, when the color is at its richest.
Pumpkin Patch Season Is in Full Swing
Yankey Farms in Bristow runs its pick-your-own pumpkin patch through October 31, with the corn maze, hay ride, and kids' play area drawing families all month. Burnside Farms in Haymarket and Nokesville also opens its fall market with 50-plus pumpkin and gourd varieties, mums, and a Halloween festival, so there is no shortage of autumn farm fun.
Haymarket Day Approaches October 17
The town of Haymarket's biggest day of the year fills Old Town Haymarket on Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, drawing more than 15,000 visitors and 250 vendors with a parade, live entertainment, and family activities. It is the county's premier small-town fall celebration and worth putting on the calendar now.
Hispanic Heritage Month Winds Down October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15 through October 15, and Old Town Manassas remains the county's cultural heart of the celebration with restaurants, markets, and community gatherings honoring the region's Latino heritage through the final days of the observance.
Monarch Migration and Fall Pollinators
October is peak monarch migration season in Virginia, and the county's parks, meadows, and gardens are alive with butterflies heading south. It is a lovely excuse for a slow walk at Prince William Forest Park or along the Occoquan, where goldenrod and asters still draw pollinators.
Family Calendar Stays Full
Friday night's free Movie in the Park at Veterans Memorial Park kicks off the weekend, the county's Great Pumpkin Party for young children follows on October 23, and Woodbridge's Fall-O-Ween family Halloween festival returns to Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center on October 24. The family calendar stays full all month.
Updated October 9, 2026
Thinking About Moving to Prince William County?
Contact Barbara & Douglas Jennings · Phone: 540-840-1133
Contact Barbara and Douglas Jennings for expert guidance on homes in Manassas, Gainesville, Haymarket, Woodbridge, Bristow, or anywhere in Prince William County. From 55+ communities to single-family homes, condos, and townhomes, they know the market inside and out.
Phone: 540-840-1133 · Email: Yourexpertadvisors@gmail.com
Schedule a Personalized Community TourInformation deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Restaurant details, event dates, and market data are current as of October 9, 2026 and may change without notice. Always confirm event details with the official organizer. Some sources: pwcva.gov (Parks and Recreation, Fire and Rescue, Police, Community Services), visitmanassas.org, princewilliamliving.com, theblacksheeprestaurant.com, volunteerprincewilliam.org, pwcs.edu, townofhaymarket.org, visitpwc.com, and Prince William Association of Realtors (PWAR). Information does not constitute professional advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.