Around Town

For many in Northern Virginia, there’s a small upside to the days getting dark at 5 p.m.: holiday lights are back. By this weekend, all three of NOVA Parks’ popular lights shows will be open.

Meadowlark Botanical Garden’s Winter Walk of Lights already opened for the season yesterday (Nov. 11), while the Festival of Lights at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville and Bright Nights at Cameron Run Regional Park in the City of Alexandria will open Saturday (Nov. 14).


News

As 2026 starts to wind down, Fairfax County residents can prepare for the new year and support local artists by purchasing a calendar from South Lakes High School’s STEAM Team.

The student organization launched sales of a 2027 calendar earlier this week to raise funds for its next art project, which will be installed on the Lake Thoreau spillway in Reston sometime next year.


Sponsored

SAVE THE DATE!
December 4-6, 2026
Experience the magic of the holiday season at this beloved event that has offered truly unique, handcrafted treasures for more than four decades. Find pottery, glass, jewelry, fashion accessories, woodwork, artisanal foods, and more from eighty exceptional regional artisans. Come discover the perfect gifts, treat yourself to lunch at the onsite café, and celebrate the spirit of the season with us! A juried show since 1982.

• FREE parking | 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101
• Proceeds support the NVHG Scholarship Program for college art students
• Tote bags will be given to the first 200 attendees each day
• MCC has accessible entrances and restrooms

For additional information please visit:
www.nvhg.org
www.mcleancenter.org 


Countywide

A soft autumn could leave the 2026 Fairfax County homes market with fewer sales than in 2025.

Home sales totaled 810 countywide in October, down 21.7% from a year before, according to figures reported Nov. 10 by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.


News

An information technology company that has called the Herndon area home for more than three decades can continue that streak even after recently changing its headquarters.

After years in the McNair neighborhood at 13595 Dulles Technology Drive, ePlus is relocating its corporate headquarters about 3 miles away to the Lincoln Park I office building at 13900 Lincoln Park Drive, just east of Route 28.


Event

Bypass the mall. Skip the big-box store. Ditch the web. 🎁 The 23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show is Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at Ayr Hill Church, 100 Ayr Hill Avenue NE in Vienna. Come browse handmade bags, clothing and accessories; original watercolor, acrylic and mixed-media art; hand-painted cards, ornaments and candles; homemade jams and specialty salts; one-of-a-kind stuffed animals; knitted and crocheted toys, wearables and home decor; dog treats and accessories; homemade baklava; stovetop potpourri and more, all from local artists and makers. Free admission, open to the public. See you there! #ViennaVA #ShopLocal #HolidayGiftShow


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools is facing a potential $200 million fiscal year 2028 budget gap that needs to be filled through additional revenue or cost reductions, based on newly released projections.

While the cuts currently under consideration would not directly impact classrooms, they would ripple through the 172,000-student district, Superintendent Michelle Reid said.


News

A new company seeking to “preserve culture, stability and tradition” has set its sights on Tysons as a potential home for a mixed-use development anchored by a cultural research institute.

Keyserling Management Group (KMG) has hired the McLean-based commercial real estate firm SVN Providence Realty Advisors to scout out and evaluate possible sites in Tysons for the future 450,000-square-foot development.


News

A teenage pedestrian has succumbed to injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle near Chantilly High School last week.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the teen died on Tuesday (Nov. 10) from his injuries.


Countywide
Autumnal residential street in McLean (staff photo)

Hegseth Criticized at Arlington Cemetery — “A soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s group for breaking decorum after the Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery” yesterday (Wednesday). “During the same ceremony, President Donald Trump spoke about his planned arch in Memorial Circle as a tribute to veterans.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Spanberger Unveils 2027 Agenda — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Virginia’s top Democrats unveiled their 2027 legislative agenda Tuesday, proposing medical debt relief, limits on classroom screen time and tougher oversight of data centers and artificial intelligence as they seek to address rising costs for Virginia families.” [Virginia Mercury]

Va. Dems Could Revisit Redistricting — “Virginia Democrats managed to flip two House seats this year despite the state Supreme Court striking down a redistricting plan designed to flip four, but key lawmakers are not ruling out another attempt at new maps to keep the blue wave rolling.” [Washington Post]

Warner Suggests Restarting FBI HQ Search — Virginia Sen. Mark Warner expects the incoming, Democratic-led Congress to “unwind the process” of keeping the FBI headquarters in D.C., expressing confidence that “a fair and objective process would still show that Virginia is the preferred location.” The Trump administration appealed a federal judge’s ruling blocking plans to relocate the FBI to the Ronald Reagan Building over the summer. [Washington Business Journal]

Church’s Bid to End Lawsuit Rejected — “The Virginia Supreme Court has declined a rehearing request from McLean Bible Church over a lawsuit brought by longtime members about the church’s 2021 elder election and other concerns … The one-sentence order affirms a Court of Appeals ruling from May that sent the case back to the circuit court to determine whether the plaintiffs can prevail in their legal arguments.” [Christian Post]

Mental Facility Release Changes Considered — “Virginia senators are considering amending a law that allows the Behavioral Health Commissioner to allow people with a violent record into the community unescorted despite a judge’s order against their release.” State Sens. Dave Marsden and Scott Surovell both say reforms might be needed after a man accused of killing his landlord fled the U.S. while on a weekend pass from the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Fairfax. [FOX5]

Fairfax City Shares New Capital Projects Plan — “Fairfax City officials unveiled a proposed $567.8 million capital improvement program Monday night that includes major investments in school facilities, a replacement fire station, renovations to Van Dyck Park and a potential overhaul of the city’s aging property yard.” [Patch]

County Rec Centers Hiring Lifeguards — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring part-time, year-round Lifeguards at all nine FCPA Rec Centers across Fairfax County, with a particular need for weekday morning and midday availability.” An open hire event will be held next Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Rec Center. [FCPA]

It’s Thursday — Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63 and a 40% chance of rain. Winds will turn west at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Clouds will remain at night with a low around 41 and a 30% chance of precipitation, mainly between midnight and 3 a.m. [NWS]

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News

Good Tuesday evening, Fairfax County. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.

📈 Today’s most-read stories

  1. Popular Reston Holiday Parade’s 2026 return will bring notable changes (2,514 views)
  2. Veterans Day to close Fairfax County government, but not schools (1,089 views)
  3. Dulles Airport unveils $700M, 14-gate concourse in first step of modernization plan

🕗 More from today

Everything else we published today, Nov 10, 2026.

📣 Announcements

A New Source for News, Events, and More in Fairfax, VA
The NOVA Guide has launched, giving Fairfax County residents a new source for local news, upcoming… [Announcement]

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Fairfax County, from our event calendar.

⭐ Featured events

FREE HAIRCUTS – U.S. Military and Veterans
Nov 11: Great Clips salons in Reston and Fairfax City offer free haircuts to U.S. military members and veterans on Veterans Day, Nov 11th. [Event]

Free Estate & Financial Planning Seminar
Nov 12: FREE Estate & Financial Planning Seminar [Event]

Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan
Nov 12: Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan makes a stop at Mosaic District [Event]

StoryWorx Book Festival/ Meet the Authors at the Workhouse Arts Center
Nov 14: Family Friendly Book Festival [Event]

Who Am I Now? Identity and Possibility in the Menopause Transition
Nov 15: Educational presentation about identity and possibility in the menopause transition [Event]

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Nov 15: Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and… [Event]

When Life Feels Heavy: Finding Peace, Hope & Inner Strength
Nov 15: What if even our most difficult experiences could awaken greater strength, compassion, and purpose? [Event]

Catholic University Symphony Orchestra in Concert
Nov 15: Free Concert with Full Symphony Color and Majestic Organ Sound in Clifton! [Event]

BrownTown Comedy at the DC Improv!!!!
Nov 16: Best and brownest comics at DC Improv [Event]

Free Memory Screening
Nov 18: Free Memory Screening Event! [Event]

Washington Spirit Alum Meet & Greet + The Amazing Race Watch Party
Nov 18: Meet Washington Spirit alum Joanna Lohman, then stick around to cheer on Joanna and Ali Krieger as they compete on The Amazing Race! [Event]

23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show
Nov 21: Bypass the mall. Skip the big-box store. Ditch the web. 🎁 The 23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show… [Event]

First Baby? Connect with other New Moms!
Nov 21: Connecting with your own in-person group starts with this quick online introduction to Mamistad and other new moms! [Event]

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🌤️ Weather update

Today: Fairfax County saw a high of 70° at 2:15 p.m. (10° above normal), a low of 37° at 2:55 a.m. and no rain.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Veterans Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. South wind 1 to 6 mph.

Thanks for reading!