Fall Equinox: Where to Watch the Fall Colors

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.