What's Happening in Prince William County, Virginia: Your Weekly Guide

Welcome to this week's edition of your guide to everything happening in Prince William County, Virginia, for November 11-17, 2026.

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 fine-dining institution on Center Street in Historic Old Town. Carmello's opened in 1987 serving Northern Italian cuisine, and in 1992 owner and executive chef Alice Pires became the first restaurateur to introduce Portuguese cuisine to Northern Virginia. Today the kitchen blends contemporary Mediterranean and American dishes built on that Italian-Portuguese foundation, with house-made pastas and locally sourced seasonal ingredients.

November is a lovely time to visit: Old Town Manassas is dressed for the season, the dining room glows, and the short walk along Center Street afterward makes it a complete evening out. Because the restaurant is dinner-only and draws steady weekend crowds, a reservation is recommended.

For menus and reservations, visit the Carmello's website or call the restaurant at (703) 368-5522.

Updated November 11, 2026

Community Events This Week (November 11 - 17, 2026)

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, and the county is honoring those who served all week long, from a month-long tribute at the Government Center to business awards, library programming, and guided nature walks. Here are the events to put on your calendar:

Also this week: the Holiday Prep Open House in Studio 8601 at Central Library in Manassas runs Saturday, November 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and the Prince William County Parks Fall Photo Contest is open through November 15. On Saturday, history buffs can board the Revolution on the Road bus tour from Rippon Lodge (details in the weekend section below).

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 November 11, 2026

Local News and Developments

From the conclusion of a high-profile murder trial to a new county water report and a military-friendly school recognition, here are the stories shaping Prince William County right now:

Jury Convicts Manassas Park Man in Wife's Murder

On Tuesday, November 10, a Prince William County jury convicted Manassas Park resident Naresh Bhatt of first-degree murder in the 2024 killing of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt. The verdict capped a trial that drew attention across the region; sentencing will be scheduled by the court. WTOP and the Prince William Times have the full coverage.

Prince William Water Confirms Supply Plans Through 2050

The county utility's Fall 2026 edition of its Pipeline newsletter highlights watershed stewardship and confirms that current supply models meet projected growth, including data-center demand, through 2050. It is a reassuring signal for residents and businesses alike as the county plans for continued development. Read the full report on the county news page.

Glenkirk Elementary Recognized as a Military-Friendly School

In the lead-up to Veterans Day, Prince William County Public Schools celebrated veterans and military families across the division, including the recognition of Glenkirk Elementary as a military-friendly school community. The school system also highlighted rising student achievement in its latest communications, a bright spot for the county's families. Follow PWCS news for the latest.

Updated November 11, 2026

Things to Do This Weekend in Prince William County

This weekend (November 14-15) brings a Revolutionary War bus tour, guided bird walks, library craft sessions, and some of the last farmers market Saturdays of the season. Here are our top picks:

Family & Outdoor

Date Night

Sunday Unwind

Weekend note: The Revolution on the Road bus tour requires advance tickets and tends to fill up, so book ahead if you plan to ride.

Updated November 11, 2026

Market Spotlight: Prince William County Real Estate Update

Full October 2026 month-end county figures are not yet published (they typically arrive from mid- to late November), so the freshest verified numbers are September closed sales paired with late-October weekly inventory. The picture is of a market with far more inventory and slower pacing than a year ago, with prices down modestly year over year. Each figure below is attributed to its exact source:

Median price: The September median sold price was approximately $579,990, down 3.7% from September 2025, per Bright MLS county-level reporting cited in Colgan Team's October 2026 Northern Virginia Housing Market Report. Redfin's rolling three-month county median through September sits at about $579,000, down 4.0% year over year. After several years of rapid appreciation, prices have pulled back modestly.

Inventory keeps climbing: The Bright MLS Weekly Market Report counted 1,004 active listings as of the week ending October 25, 2026, up from 703 a year earlier, an increase of more than 40%. Buyers have more choice than they have had in years, and home shoppers are taking longer to decide.

Days on market: Median days to contract reached 38 in the week of October 25, up from 31 in early October and 27 a year earlier, per Bright MLS weekly reporting. Redfin's county estimate put the average at roughly 44 days over the three months ending in September.

Sales momentum: Bright MLS reported 389 closed sales in September. Sales volume is running below year-ago levels, consistent with a more deliberate, less competitive market on both sides of the transaction.

Why verification matters: Full October 2026 county figures are not yet published; the numbers above are the most recent verified county-level data, with each source and reporting period noted. PWAR's monthly statistics combine Prince William County with Manassas City and Manassas Park, so the county-level figures here come from Bright MLS reporting, with attribution as noted. For the newest countywide numbers, check the PWAR market statistics page, the Redfin Prince William County housing market tracker, and the Northern Virginia Housing Market Report.

Key takeaways for buyers: More inventory, lower prices, and longer days-on-market than a year ago mean 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 sales volume down and 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 November 11, 2026

Community Spotlight: ACTS of Prince William

This week we are highlighting ACTS (Action in Community Through Service of Prince William, Inc.), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that serves the Greater Prince William Area, including the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and the towns of Dumfries, Quantico, Haymarket, and Occoquan. Its mission: to provide relief, foster hope, and promote self-sufficiency for neighbors in crisis due to hunger, homelessness, and personal violence.

ACTS runs the Hunger Prevention Center food pantry, the Beverly Warren Family Shelter and other emergency and transitional housing, financial and utility assistance, domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy with two safe houses, and a 24-hour crisis helpline, plus a thrift store that helps fund the mission. The organization reports supporting more than 70,000 individuals each year.

With Giving Season approaching, ACTS is a powerful way to give back locally: donate food or funds, volunteer at the pantry or shelter, or shop the thrift store. Contact: (703) 441-8606 | 24-hour helpline (703) 368-4141 | info@actspwc.org | actspwc.org | 3900 ACTS Lane, Dumfries, VA 22026.

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 November 11, 2026

Seasonal Highlights: Veterans Day Week and the Road to Thanksgiving

Veterans Day is today, Wednesday, November 11, and the county is honoring those who served with tributes that run for weeks. At the same time, the holiday season is visibly warming up: tree lightings, turkey trots, and the first glow of lights are all on the horizon. Here is what we are watching:

Updated November 11, 2026