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Farm Tours Within A Short Drive from Northern Virginia

What better way to spend a nice fall weekend than touring the local farms and experiencing the country lifestyle. Its such a refreshing change of pace from our jam packed weeks.

The first farm tour kicks off this coming weekend with the Culpeper Harvest Days 2025. This is the 28th year for the Culpeper Farm Tour. It is running both days this upcoming weekend on Sept 20th and Sept 21st from 10am to 4pm. Check out the website for information on tickets and directions: Culpeper Farm Tour . The tour is for all ages and will showcase both traditional and unique farms in the beautiful Blue Ridge Foothills that make up Culpeper County. There will be an array of hands on activities and demonstrations. The tour is self guided and will start at the Welcome Center where there will be more fun such as face painting, antique tractors, a train display and more!

The Rappahannock County Farm Tour is coming up on Sept 27th and 28th, 2025. Location: Rappahannock County Visitors Center, 3 Library Road, Washington, VA 22747. 16 different locations are hosting visitors! For complete details, visit Farm Tour Rappahannock County website. This is another self guided tour so you can take your time enjoying the breathtaking landscapes in the county. Enjoy hayrides, farm animals, wineries, goats, chicken, sheep, cows, bees and apiaries. Oh and don’t forget you can pick your own apples! There is something for everyone to enjoy!

A little closer to Northern Virginia is the Fauquier County Fall Farm Tour on October 4th, 2025 from 10-4pm. You’ll get to hang out with cows, sheep, chickens, learn about the local crops and maybe try some real life farm activities. You’ll find farm fresh goodies like honey, eggs, veggies, meats and handmade crafts. Visit the Fauquier Farm Tour site for more details.

The last farm tour on our list is the Loudoun Farm Tour on October 18 and 19, 2025. For full details visit the Loudoun Farm Tours site. The tour offers a cornucopia of experiences for folks of all ages. There will be a diverse array of farms showcasing their products that they offer including honey, mushrooms, vegetables, garlic, craft beverages and more! This is the largest farm tour with over 40 farms participating!

With so many tours, I think not only the activities and experiencing country life would make an enjoyable weekend, but views like this will take your breath away!.

Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia That You Don’t Want to Miss!

Events, Local

If you are looking for things to do this fall in the Northern Virginia area, check out the area’s Fall Festivals. It’s a beautiful time of year to be outside and enjoy the fun these various festivals have to offer.

From the Bluemont Fair this weekend to Cox’s Farm festival with wagon rides and the Fields of Fear to the Waterford Fair where you will see demonstrations from heritage and contemporary craft artisans, to the living historians, art show, and the historic properties tour, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Add in the Pumpkin Fest, Mosaic Fall Festival, City of Fairfax Festival, Clifton Day and Great Country Farms, you’ve got a great bucket list for the fall season!

See your Fall Festival Bucket List Below:

Cox Farms Fall Festival – Opens of Sat, September 20, 2025 and Closes on November 9, 2025. WWW.Coxfarmsva.com. Check site for available dates and ticket information. The Fall festival has numerous attractions: Music stage, Cow Milking Demo, experience farm chores, Hayrides, Fun Tunnels, Treetops Slide, Castle Slide, Cox’s Mountain Slide, Dino Slide, Volcano Slide, Foamhenge which is a full sized replica of Stonehenge – made entirely of foam! Kiddie Zone, Swings, Cornundrum, Tractor Museum, Imaginature Trail, Miner’s Slide, Local Tastings, Cox’s Mining Company, Goat Village, and loads of festival food. I think this may take more than one day!

Bluemont Fair – September 20-21, 2025. WWW.BluemontFair.org. Enjoy a day exploring the 200 year old village of Bluemont nestled in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visit the unique artisan crafts, grab a bite to eat while you enjoy live music, wine or beer. Archeology demonstrations, children’s fair, petting zoos and get your Christmas shopping done early!

Clarendon Day – Saturday September 27, 2025 11am – 6pm. Clarendon Day is held in Clarendon Metro park and neighboring Blocks blocks! Clarendon Day – Clarendon Alliance, Inc. Enjoy Music, kids zone, crafts and food!

City of Fairfax Fall Festival – Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM. 49th Annual Fall Festival City of Fairfax, VA. This fall festival has grown into one of the largest festivals in Northern Virginia with more than 400 art and craft vendors, food vendors, children’s activities, multiple stages of entertainment, beer gardens, and more! Stop by and visit a big festival with a home town feel!

Clifton Day – Main St, Clifton, VA 20124 – Time: 9AM to 5PM – Date: October 12,2025. Clifton Day is now in its 57^th year where the town celebrates its lovely small town of Clifton, VA. The town is a charming find in Fairfax County and will have crafts, arts, entertainment, and food, along with children’s activities, a beer and wine garden as well as pony rides.

Waterford Fair – October 3-5, 2025 in Waterford, VA. Come out for a lovely weekend of shopping, playing, touring homes and making memories. See demonstrations of heritage and contemporary craft artisans, listen to living historians, visit the art show, tour historic properties and enjoy beer/wine. Entertainment for all ages! For tickets and event information, visit www.waterfordfairva.org

Pumpkin Fest – Starts Sept 20^th and Closed on November 4, 2025 in Leesburg, VA. Check out the website for directions and more information – Pumpkin Village Fall Fest – Loudoun’s Favorite Fall Festival! The Pumpkin Fest is packed full of family activities to include Giant slides, moon bounces, wagon rides, petting zoo, the corn bin, kiddie hay maze, animal petting and feeding, pony rides, straw tunnels, kids zip lines, giant pumpkin pillow bounces, spider web crawl and indoor play area as well!

Mosaic Fall Festival – Sunday Sep. 29, 11am – 6pm at the Mosaic, 2920 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031. Another fun filled festival in Fairfax for the whole family. There will be over 90 handmade and vintage craft vendors, special performances and varied activities for the whole family. Over 50 FRESHFARM vendors featuring fresh produce and snacks. Games corner, pumpkin painting will keep the kids busy. For the adults, sip and stroll while you shop the local stores and vendors.

Great Country Farms – Pumpkin picking and Corn Maze – Starting September 19, 2025 through October 31, 2025. Check out this link for more information and tickets – Fall Pumpkin Harvest at Great Country Farms in Northern Virginia. Great Country Farms has so many great activities for the families to include picking pumpkins, getting lost in the corn maze, roasting marshmallows by the bonfire, wagon rides, the pig derby races, cider pressing, live music and in October, the Pumpkin Cannons open! We’ve heard the Cider Donuts are a treat you don’t want to miss!

Christmas Events – Dec 1-3, 2023

Events

Christmas season is here already! Can you believe it? This weekend kicks off some of the areas beloved Parades in the aas well as craft shows, ice shows and more!

Below is a list of just a few things this weekend to bring in the holiday spirit!

The Middleburg Parade is probably one of my favorite days of the year. It is on Saturday, December 2^nd. The festivities start in the morning with a breakfast with Santa at 730am. At 11 is the Hunt Revue where the Middleburg Hunt rides through town with the hounds and horses. After a lunch break, the Christmas Parade starts at 2pm. Just a lovely day from start to finish. And now, Lost Barrel Brewery is having an after party! You can find the schedule here: Parade Day Schedule – Christmas in Middleburg

If you are looking for something closer in and for tonight, Purcellville is hosting their Tree lighting Ceremony at the Purcellville town hall. See Santa and listen to caroling from the local high schools.

Back to Saturday…if a craft show is on your agenda, the Leesburg Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show is always a favorite. Held at the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center from 9-4 pm on Saturday or from 10-4 pm on Sunday. If you are around at 6pm, stop by for Leesburg to light their tree at the Leesburg Town Hall. Local musicians will perform holiday music and the Mayor will deliver a message. leesburgva.gov/holidaysinleesburg

On Saturday evening, the Ion International Training Center , will be hosting a Holiday Spectacular Ice Show!

Another show worth watching is at Franklin Parks Arts Center – The Goose Creek Players are presenting the Miracle on 34^th St starting at 7:30pm

This is just a sampling of what is going on this weekend. If you are looking for something specific though, feel free to reach out!

Loudoun Market Overview – October 2023

Housing Market Updates

The Loudoun County real estate market sales activity is continuing to moderate. In October 2023, there were 70 fewer sales than a year earlier which is a decrease of -16.9%. Most of the area saw decreases in home sales with the exception of Lovettsville which saw growth in sales by 4 homes from last year which was a 66.7% increase.

There were also fewer pending sales in Loudoun County in October of this year. Pending or under contract sales fell by 4.6% or 16 pending sales from the same time last year.

Price growth has generally moderated in some parts of the county, yet has been climbing in other areas. The median price in Loudoun County was $665,000 which is only a 1.5% increase compared to October 2022. That 1.5% increase was just $10,000 more than homes sold last year.

Inventory in Loudoun County has continued to shrink and we are seeing fewer new listings coming on the market. At the end of October, the county had 477 listings which is 145 fewer listings than last October. That is a decline of 23.3% in listings for October. New listings that came on the market in October was at 472 homes which is 55 fewer new listings than a year ago or a 10.4% reduction in new listings.

Listed below are several interesting screenshots from the Dulles Association of Realtors. What do you think of think of the current statistics? Would love to hear your thoughts or sentiments!

The average sold to ask price ratio is my favorite. I keep hearing people talk about how the market is shifting and this tells the story.. Seller’s are still getting full price offers on their homes even with the reduced buyer pool due to the interest rate hikes. I think that is pretty good when painted with the increase in home sale prices even though the increase is small.

What are your thoughts? Share in the comments!

Things to do in Loudoun County, VA This Weekend Nov 16th-19th

Local

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend in or near Loudoun County, look no further! You’ve found the right place!

Whether you are looking for a winery/brewery visit, a night out for some live music or perhaps a fun class or something to keep the kids busy near you in Loudoun, you will find it here.

Disclaimer: Look at Loudoun is not affiliated with any of these events. For accurate info on like start times, or locations, weather cancellations, etc., please contact the organizer.

Loudoun County, VA Events

After a week filled of work, I certainly enjoy a break by getting out and about in the area. I find it relaxing and enjoyable. Do you feel the same way?

If so, why not take advantage of the bountiful activities our County and surrounding area has to offer? I’ve picked a variety of events for the you all to enjoy. I also welcome suggestions if you are looking for different types of events not listed!

Let’s take a look at the events coming up!

Thursday, November 16, 2023

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes at Sterling Playmakers

Harvest Gap Brewery Trivia at 5:30pm

Friday, November 17th, 2023

Jack Assadourian Jr @ the Bourban Bayou Kitchen – Ashburn

Lanco at Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg

Live Music by Elijah Myers at Flying Ace Farm – Lovettsville

Paint Pet Portraits at Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park from 2-3pm

Turkey Time Campfire at Claude Moore Park

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Freeze Your Gizzard 5k Cross Country Race and 1 Mile Fun Run – Leesburg

Carved Holiday / Winter Tree Trio at the Clay and Metal Loft

Cigar Lounge Evening at 868 Estate Vineyards – Purcellville 5pm – 8pm

English Tea – Home for the Holidays Tea and Open House

Soul of America – A Tribute to the Legendary Ladies of Soul – Franklin Park

Hops and Harvest Fest at City Tap 11am – 4pm

Intro to Disc Golf 1pm at Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park

Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra Fall Concert

Ornament Pour Paint Party at Firefly Cellars – Paint your Ornaments through the Pour method!

Sunday, November 19th

The Nutcracker Tea – Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Co

Thanksgiving Wine and Pie Pairings at Firefly Cellars

If you have events you’d like to see listed or need me to search for, leave a comment and I will try to find out where and when it might be! Enjoy and happy weekend!

Eating Out for Thanksgiving 2023?

Local

Thanksgiving is coming upon us faster than we think. If you are not planning on cooking this year, here are a few alternatives!

Clydes of Willow Creek in the Broadlands Community in Ashburn is having their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. For more information, check out this link: Willow Creek Farm | Hours + Location | Clyde’s | American Bars & Restaurants in the US (clydes.com)

Also in Ashburn, Coopers Hawk is offering two ways to enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner. Dine in options – view menu here. Or they are offering a Thanksgiving meal kit. Check out the menu for take home here. Both look scrumptious and offer you a lot less work than having to cook the full Thanksgiving dinner at home.

Close by in Lansdowne, the Lansdowne Resort is offering a buffet from 10am – 2pm. See the full menu here.

Eddie Merlots has a classic Turkey dinner with all the fixings for $49 a person and $24 for children. Eddie Merlots Thanksgiving Dinner

If you want to drive east, the McLean area has 3 great Thanksgiving restaurants to try: Flemings Steakhouse, The Founding Farmers in Tysons, and lastly J Gilberts.

For those of you who want to pick up your dinner, there are many options as well such as your closest Cracker Barrel, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter or Magnolia’s in Purcellville.

Whatever you choose, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and laughter. Stay safe!