Northern Virginia Living: October Kicks Off with Fall Festivals & Market Shifts

October in Northern Virginia Maggie Hatfield October 1, 2025

Cool mornings, winery sunsets, and a housing market finding its fall rhythm.

The switch has flipped — September’s late-summer limbo is gone, and October has officially taken over. Sweater mornings, busy weekends, and pumpkins on every porch are here to stay.

October in Northern Virginia isn’t just about the scenery (though the fiery leaves help). It’s about community — festivals, winery harvests, school events, and evenings outside before the weather really turns. And while you’re living it up, the housing market is also moving into its own seasonal pattern.

What’s On in Northern Virginia This October

  • Cox Farms Fall Festival (Sept 14 – Nov 5, Centreville): Corn mazes, hayrides, cider, and a massive pumpkin patch. Learn more
    Pro tip: Go on a weekday afternoon if you can — weekends get crowded fast.
  • Clifton Day Festival (Oct 12, Clifton): A one-day celebration with food, crafts, and live music in a postcard-perfect town. Event info
    Pro tip: Take the VRE train into Clifton for a stress-free (and fun) arrival.
  • Virginia Wine Month (All October): Harvest tastings, vineyard tours, and special releases across Loudoun and Fairfax. Visit Loudoun guide
    Pro tip: Ask tasting staff about limited “harvest” bottles — they often don’t hit stores.
  • Great Falls Park & Bear’s Den Hikes (All October): Peak foliage lands mid-month — cooler temps, postcard views. Great Falls info
    Pro tip: Go early for fewer crowds and the best morning light.
  • Tysons Fall Harvest Festival (Weekends in October, Lerner Town Square): Carnival rides, live music, pumpkin painting, and food trucks.
    Pro tip: A great “bridge” festival — fun for kids and adults.

Living the Early Fall Lifestyle

  • Farmers’ Markets: Apples, squash, and baked goods take center stage at Leesburg, Reston, and Arlington.
    Pro tip: Go early — the best apples and pies sell out before noon.
  • Wineries & Cideries: Harvest mode = vineyard sunsets and fresh pours at Stone Tower, Sunset Hills, and Henway Hard Cider.
    Pro tip: Pack a light jacket — evening tastings get chilly even after warm afternoons.
  • Outdoor Evenings: Fire pits, brewery patios, and neighborhood block parties stretch the season before the real chill sets in.
    Pro tip: Many breweries host dog-friendly patio nights in fall — check your favorite spot’s calendar.

Market Check-In: Loudoun & Northern Virginia (September 2025 Data)

  • Median Price: ~\$762,750 (up ~3% year-over-year; steady month-to-month)
  • Active Inventory: ~809 homes (up ~11% YOY — more breathing room for buyers)
  • Average Days on Market: ~25 (slower than last year, giving buyers leverage)
  • Sale-to-List Ratio: ~99.6% — well-prepped, well-priced homes still close strong
  • Rates: ~6.6% average as of late September (Freddie Mac PMMS)

What it means: Spring’s frenzy is long gone. Buyers finally have space to negotiate, but sellers who prep well — staging, curb appeal, and sharp pricing — still stand out.

Sources: Loudoun County data from Long & Foster Market Minute and Redfin; rate snapshot from Freddie Mac PMMS. L&F Market Minute · Redfin Loudoun · Freddie Mac PMMS

Buying, Selling, or Relocating This Fall

October is the “sweet spot.” For buyers, there are more options and less chaos — and homes that sit past two weeks often soften on price. For sellers, October buyers are motivated to be in before the holidays, so timing is your friend: stage for cozy, price with precision, and you’ll still see strong activity. If you’re relocating, this is the best month to explore NOVA — between festivals, winery tours, and peak foliage, you’ll get the most authentic snapshot of community life here.

Stay in the Know

Want insider tips on Northern Virginia living, local events, and the housing market? Subscribe to my newsletter and get the latest straight to your inbox.

Click here to subscribe

Bottom Line

October in Northern Virginia is about balance: harvest festivals, cool hikes, cider by the fire — and a housing market that rewards smart timing.

Enjoy the season. And if a fall move is on your radar, let’s map out a plan to get you settled before the holidays.

Real Estate Blog

lifestyle

Halloween in Northern Virginia: Family-Friendly Events & Haunted Attractions (2025)

Maggie Hatfield  |  October 20, 2025

Your 2025 guide to parades, pumpkin patches, and haunted nights across NoVA.

home selling tips

You Don’t Need Ghosts to Spook Buyers: 7 Real Red Flags (and How to Fix Them)

Maggie Hatfield  |  October 20, 2025

Forget hauntings—the real deal-killers are smells, clutter, and neglect. Here’s how to fix them fast.

Northern Virginia corn mazes

Halloween in Northern Virginia: Haunted Trails, Corn Mazes & Market Twists

Maggie Hatfield  |  October 6, 2025

fixer upper homes

Pros and Cons of Buying a Fixer-Upper

Maggie Hatfield  |  October 6, 2025

Is a Fixer-Upper Worth It? Here are the Risks and Rewards

October in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia Living: October Kicks Off with Fall Festivals & Market Shifts

Maggie Hatfield  |  October 1, 2025

Cool mornings, winery sunsets, and a housing market finding its fall rhythm.

best week to buy a home 2025

The Best Week to Buy a House in 2025

Maggie Hatfield  |  September 30, 2025

More Homes, Less Stress: The Fall Buyer Advantage

home repairs before selling

Selling Your Home? Here’s What Buyers Will (and Won’t) Ignore

Maggie Hatfield  |  September 1, 2025

What to Fix (and What to Skip) Before Selling Your Home

September in Northern Virginia

September in Northern Virginia: Wrapping Up Summer & Stepping Into Fall

Maggie Hatfield  |  August 31, 2025

From late-summer sunsets to early-fall festivals, here’s what September in NOVA looks like — plus what it means for the housing market.

fall 2025

Northern Virginia Labor Day & Early Fall Guide 2025

Maggie Hatfield  |  August 27, 2025

Your Community-First Weekend Playbook

Work With Us

Explore our site for the latest real estate news, market trends, community updates, and exclusive listings. Whether you're buying or selling, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Join our community and make your real estate journey a success.