Fall Equinox

Categories:: Cultural
Tags:: Civic Cultural Festivities
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Between September 21 and 24
Holiday emoji:: 🍂

The Fall Equinox ushers in autumn every September, marking the astronomical shift when day and night are nearly equal. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude for nature’s bounty, and embracing the cooler, cozier season ahead. Explore its ancient traditions, find the best leaf-peeping spots, and prepare for winter’s approach.

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Expected Fall Equinox Deals

While the Fall Equinox isn’t typically a day for widespread commercial deals, retailers embrace the shift to autumn with seasonal promotions. Look for sales on outdoor gear from brands like REI and L.L.Bean, perfect for leaf-peeping trips. Coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin’ will feature their popular pumpkin spice and fall-themed beverages. Home goods stores such as Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma offer discounts on cozy decor, candles, and harvest-themed kitchenware. Travel agencies and regional tourism boards, like Vermont Tourism, promote fall foliage tours and seasonal getaways. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 23 approaches.

Platform Guide for Fall Equinox

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FallEquinox. Share stunning photos of fall foliage, cozy autumn scenes, or your favorite seasonal traditions.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #AutumnalEquinox. Share local fall events, harvest festival photos, or community activities.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #SeptemberEquinox. Post real-time updates on weather changes, fall activities, or interesting facts about the equinox.

Fall Equinox Hero

Aristotle

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) was among the first to systematically describe astronomical phenomena, including the equinoxes. His work laid foundational concepts for understanding the Earth's relationship with the sun and the changing seasons. His observations contributed to early scientific thought about the balance of day and night that defines the equinox.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Fall Equinox

Local businesses can embrace the Fall Equinox by highlighting seasonal offerings and experiences. Restaurants can feature autumn-inspired menus with pumpkin, apple, and root vegetable dishes, alongside warm ciders. Retailers can curate fall collections of clothing, home decor, and outdoor gear, promoting them for cozy evenings and leaf-peeping adventures. Nurseries and garden centers can offer workshops on fall planting or winterizing gardens, while local tourism boards can promote guided foliage tours and harvest festivals, encouraging community engagement and celebrating the season’s natural beauty.

Fall Equinox FAQs

When is Fall Equinox?

The Fall Equinox 2026 arrives on Wednesday, September 23, marking the official start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

What is the Fall Equinox?

Astronomically, the Fall Equinox is the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, heading south. This results in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness across the globe.

How many hours of daylight are there during the Fall Equinox?

During the Fall Equinox, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. This astronomical balance gives the equinox its name.

Does the Fall Equinox have a spiritual meaning?

For many traditions, the Fall Equinox carries spiritual significance, symbolizing a time of harvest, gratitude, and preparing for the introspective period of winter. It’s often associated with themes of balance and letting go.

Fall Equinox Customs

Go pagan
The ancient pagan cultures held the solstices and equinoxes in high regard. The Druids and the Celts honored traditions and performed rituals based on these special celestial days. One especially important part of the fall equinox involved taking time to reflect on the good and the bad aspects of the first three-quarters of the year, based on the equal amounts of light and dark reflected during the equinox.
Concoct your own pumpkin-spiced treat
Got a recipe that crushes it at every party? Kick up the flavor of brownies, cakes, pies, cocktails and even savory pork and beef dishes with the tanginess of pumpkin spice. Invite your friends over and see what good stuff you cook up together.
Get outdoors
You finally beat the summer’s heat so take advantage of these early, crisp days of fall. Whether it’s just a simple walk around your neighborhood or a hike in the woods; enjoy the crunch of the leaves on the ground as you stroll. Head outdoors, inhale the fresh air and notice nature's changes all around you.

We Have Fallen For These 5 Fall Equinox Facts

It has a special moon
The full moon nearest the fall equinox is referred to as the harvest moon, due to the fact that farmers have extra time to bring in the harvest thanks to the longer night. The 2019 harvest moon happened on Friday, September 13.
A diet dilemma
Low vitamin D is linked to fat storage, which is one reason people gain weight in fall!
Lights!
The beautiful colored lights of the aurora borealis are the result of more frequent geomagnetic storms and a great time to see this natural phenomenon, according to NASA.
Party at Stonehenge
Actually, the celebration of the fall equinox at England's Stonehenge isn't a party at all, but rather a ritual gathering of Druids honoring the coming of fall.
Life in balance
Amateur and professional astrologers alike note the fall equinox as the period of the sun entering the sign of Libra.

Fall Equinox Traditions

Pumpkin this and pumpkin that
It started innocently enough. A simple, sweet coffee drink that went well with the falling temperatures. But now, the Pumpkin-Spiced Latte has spawned a cottage industry of pumpkin-spiced foods, from beers and breads to cocktails and savory meals. Its arrival is arguably even more awaited than the equinox itself, and for many, the combo of pumpkins and spice reminds us that fall has arrived.
It kicks off the holiday season
From Jack O'Lanterns, Halloween and decorative gourds to Sunday afternoon football and Thanksgiving; the holiday season officially starts with the coming of fall. Once those first Halloween decorations go up, your house probably won’t look the same until after the New Year. Get used to it.
It’s cozy
After a long summer of travel and adventures, sometimes there's nothing better than chilling inside on the couch all day. A dreary autumn day is the perfect time to catch up on the latest Netflix shows and to doze with one eye open while watching your favorite gridiron team on Sundays. These are perfect fall days.