Saturday, October 24, 2026

Fredericksburg · Stafford · Spotsylvania

Good morning, FXBG.

Thursday’s weekend guide already covered the ballpark, garage sale, and pumpkin-spice crawl. Today is the same-day remix: what’s still worth leaving the house for, without turning Saturday into a competitive sport.

In today’s Rundown:

FXBG Pride’s Fall Market takes Historic Market Square this morning and afternoon, with a free after-party in the same square tonight.

Local food vendors (Bubisha Truck, FXBG Bakes, The Good Sip) and makers run 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Costume contests land at 3:30 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. Evening brings a drag show at 7:30 and an 18+ dance after 8 until 11. Both halves are listed as free to attend — budget separately for food and shopping.

Confirm age rules for the late dance if teens are in your group.

Pride Fall Market → https://fxbg.com/calendar-item/fxbg-pride-fall-market-and-after-party/

North of the city, Stafford stacks a costume-friendly doubleheader.

The 11th Annual Halloween 5K and Monster Mile is at Embrey Mill Park — costumes encouraged, prizes for the best ones, benefits Project Lifesaver. Monster Mile 8 a.m.; 5K 8:30 a.m.; race-morning packet pickup from 7 a.m. Online pricing sits around $40 / $25; parking free; dogs not allowed.

Race registration → https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Stafford/Halloween5KandMonsterMile

Same day 11 a.m.–4 p.m.: Patawomeck Halloween Festival at 638 Kings Highway — vendor trick-or-treating, contests, family activities. Check the museum’s latest update for any admission notes before you go.

Patawomeck listing → https://events.fxbgneighborsconnect.com/details/patawomeck-halloween-festival/19230036/2026-10-24T11

If the pumpkin patch is still a household to-do, today and tomorrow are the advertised end of Braehead’s fall festival.

Braehead listing → https://fxbg.com/calendar-item/braehead-farm-fall-festival-weekends/

🧁 Pumpkin Spice Crawl still runs 3–7 p.m. downtown if you already have tickets from Thursday’s guide — don’t assume walk-ups. Girlfriend Getaway deals continue through Sunday.

Girlfriend Getaway → https://fxbg.com/fxbg-girlfriend-getaway/

🏗️ Housing watch — Fredericksburg’s stacked-townhome / “two-over-two” Planning Commission hearing is still on the calendar for Oct 28 at 6:30 p.m. after the earlier quorum miss. Bookmark the packet when it posts if you follow housing.

Pride market if you want free and downtown (decide later on the after-party). Stafford if costumes and medals sound right. Braehead if pumpkins finally made the list.

You do not need Market Square *and* Stafford *and* the farm. One anchor outing is a successful Saturday.

Which plan won? Reply with one tip for next weekend.

Forward this to the friend who texts “what’s going on today?” around 10 a.m.

The FXBG Rundown

A little more local. A lot more interesting.