Clarendon Ballroom entrance on a Saturday night (file photo)
In expectation of large crowds in the run-up to Thanksgiving, a pair of road closures will be in effect in Clarendon tonight (Wednesday).
The Arlington County Police Department is closing off Wilson Blvd and Clarendon Blvd between N. Highland Street and Washington Blvd “to accommodate the expected increase in nightlife activity.”
Current placement of Campbell markers in Shirlington (via Arlington County)
Updated markers are coming to Shirlington next year in honor of a husband and wife who made waves in Arlington civic life for more than half a century.
The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HARLB) has approved a request from Federal Realty Investment Trust to replace the existing markers honoring Edmund and Elizabeth Campbell.
This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at[email protected].
Question: Do you expect the housing market to continue at its current pace through the summer?
Answer: Buyers throughout Northern VA have faced stiff competition so far in 2026, especially for detached homes and townhomes. Some relief is coming to buyers still searching for a home, although it will come at the cost of seeing fewer homes hit the market.
The data below is based on homes sold in Arlington VA that went under contract in 2023-2025, but the seasonal trends apply across most Northern VA markets.
Second Half Market is Slower, Less Competitive
When you buy a home affects the way you experience the housing market. Buyers who are active in the first half of the year experience a constant flow of new listings, homes going under contract quickly, frequent competition, and rising prices. Buyers who are active in the second half of the year see fewer listings, homes take longer to sell, less competition, and more stable prices.
Slower market: Homes sell about 30% slower in the second half of the year
More negotiations: Buyers negotiate ~2% more off the original asking price in the second half of the year
Harder to find what you want: 25-30% fewer homes come to market during the second half of the year
Prices stabilize: Prices tend to appreciate during the first half of the year and stabilize in the second half of the year
Caution on misreading the data: The 3% and 7% drop in average sold price in the second half of 2024 and 2025 does not necessarily mean home values were 3% and 7% lower during that time, the drop is more correlated to less expensive homes being listed for sale in the second half of the year than the first half
Shirlington's tree lighting celebration from a past year (courtesy photo)
Christmastime in Arlington brings numerous tree lightings, holiday markets and other festive activities for residents of all ages.
Upcoming highlights include a snowball fight in Aurora Highlands, a dog sweater contest and various opportunities for Christmas shopping. Here’s a look at what is ahead.
Commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America at Civic Jam! Celebrate the City of Falls Church’s diverse community, civic engagement, and classic summer fun. Jam out to live, local music, sip on local brews, enjoy tasty treats and eats, and a full evening of festivities for all ages on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Play, connect, and earn points throughout the evening in the Civic Cup Competition with activities ranging from sack races and relays to collaborative community art and trivia in the beer garden. No pre-registration required, assemble a team of four, pick up a Civic Cup scorecard, and compete for the Civic Cup Trophy!
Wet holiday decorations at The Crossing Clarendon (courtesy George Brazier)
Thanksgiving Safety Tips — “Are you ready for #Thanksgiving? We are checking items off our holiday to do list: Turkey is thawing. Ingredients for pumpkin pie purchased. Turkey fryer safety tips reviewed. Smoke alarms tested.” [ACFD/X]
Letter: Better Labels, Less Waste — “As we gather for Thanksgiving this week and enjoy leftovers in the days that follow, it’s important to notice how much of our food ends up wasted. Did you know that America throws away up to 40% of its food each year? Much of this waste results from confusion over food labeling.” [Letter to the Editor]
Letter: County Should be Cautious — “At a time of national economic uncertainty, Arlington should project stability and predictability. Yet between the Board’s unexpected endorsement of rent control and now a rushed effort to explore restructuring the Board itself, the message to employers and investors is one of institutional unpredictability. That is the last thing Arlington needs.” [Letter to the Editor]
Doctoral Student Danced With Stars — “We’re celebrating a Marymount connection to the ballroom! Inna Brayer ’25 a former DWTS pro dancer & now an Ed.D. student is researching how arts education strengthens academic success, resilience & social-emotional growth in teens.” [Marymount University/X, Marymount University]
Congressional Probe into FCPS — “Fairfax County Public Schools is one of just three districts nationwide facing a federal investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce, which alleges Jewish students are being harassed and subjected to open antisemitism.” [FFXnow]
Alexandria Housing Authority Woes — “In the wake of the restructuring of Alexandria’s public housing authority and its board of commissioners, the organization has temporarily halted eviction proceedings against its tenants.” [ALXnow]
D.C. Mayor Won’t Run Again — “D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser won’t run for reelection, ending months of speculation over whether she would seek a fourth term.” [NBC 4]
Cold Holiday Weekend — “It’s going to be chilly in D.C. on Thanksgiving… NWS is warning of a “polar vortex,” an area of cold air around the Arctic, hitting the country this week, bringing chilly temps and snow across the country right when AAA projects record holiday traffic.” [Axios]
It’s Wednesday — Expect rain before 7am, followed by patchy fog until 9am, then cloudy skies will gradually clear with a high near 70. A southwest wind will blow at 9-11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy and breezy, with a low of 38 and winds gusting up to 39 mph. Thanksgiving Day will be partly sunny with a high of 44, and winds gusting up to 28 mph. [NWS]
Expect rain before 7am, followed by patchy fog until 9am, then cloudy skies will gradually clear with a high near 70. A southwest wind will blow at 9-11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy and breezy, with a low of 38 and winds gusting up to 39 mph. Thanksgiving Day will be partly sunny with a high of 44, and winds gusting up to 28 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” – Chris Grosser
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The former Key Bridge Marriott at 1401 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
The former Key Bridge Marriott building is no more, leaving behind a void on a piece of prime real estate in Rosslyn.
Virtually nothing remains of the notorious closed hotel at 1401 Langston Blvd, which began demolition in February after being declared a “public nuisance” in May 2024.
Bozman Government Center in Courthouse (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
The Thanksgiving holiday will bring closures to some Arlington County offices and services on Thursday and Friday.
All public libraries in Arlington will be closed on both days, as will almost all community centers and administrative offices at the parks department. The Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center will be open from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, however.