- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- EnvironmentFun
- Where:
- United Kingdom
- Date change rule:
- Autumnal Equinox (September 21-24)
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍂
The First Day of Autumn ushers in cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage every September. As the autumnal equinox marks the start of the season, it’s time to embrace cozy sweaters, pumpkin-spiced treats, and outdoor adventures. Gather friends for apple picking, decorate your home with fall colors, and savor the changing landscape.
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Expected First Day of Autumn Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that the First Day of Autumn brings a flurry of seasonal deals. Expect coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ to launch their full pumpkin spice menus, while retailers such as Bath & Body Works and Yankee Candle will feature autumn-themed scents and home décor. Grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods will highlight seasonal produce and specialty items. Outdoor gear brands like REI often offer discounts on hiking essentials and camping equipment. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 24 approaches.
Platform Guide for First Day of Autumn
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FirstDayOfAutumn. Share photos of your favorite fall activities, from apple picking to cozy nights by the fire. Post your autumn-themed outfits and home decorations.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #FirstDayOfAutumn. Produce short-form videos showcasing autumn recipes like pumpkin pie or spiced cider. Create time-lapses of changing leaves or DIY fall decor tutorials.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #FirstDayOfAutumn. Share photos of local harvest festivals or community events. Ask your followers for their favorite fall traditions.
First Day of Autumn Hero
Aristotle
History of First Day of Autumn
Ancient people had no modern clocks, but they could measure the hours of night and day by using geometry. People discovered that the sun rose and set at a slightly different place each day of the year. When the sun reached its northernmost point, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, it was called the summer solstice. The sun’s southernmost point marked the winter solstice or the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere when the North Pole was tilted the farthest from the sun. The equinoxes occur twice yearly, and on those days, the sun rises directly in the East and sets directly in the West.
Ancient peoples used several prehistoric sites to track the sun’s position and predict equinoxes and solstices. These sites include Stonehenge and Newgrange in the U.K. and the Majorville Medicine Wheel in Alberta, Canada. For centuries people have celebrated the autumn equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox coincides with the autumn harvest, and many ancient harvest celebrations occur on or around the autumn equinox.
Two seasons can be considered autumn. One is astronomical autumn, which has to do with the Earth’s orbit around the sun, and the other is meteorological autumn, which is determined by changes in temperature. According to astronomical autumn, the seasons result from the Earth’s 23.5-degree tilt concerning its orbit around the sun. Using this method, autumn begins on September 23, 2022, and ends on December 22, 2022, when it gives way to winter. The autumn equinox is when the earth’s surface experiences 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness across one day.
First Day of Autumn timeline
Hipparchus proposed dividing the day into 24 equal hours, now known as equinoctial hours.
Legendary literally geniuses Chaucer and Shakespeare use the word ‘autumn’ in their works.
The word autumn was used from the 12th Century, but by the 16th Century, it was in everyday use.
Settlers spread across the U.S. taking the English language with them.
How Businesses Can Celebrate First Day of Autumn
Local businesses can embrace the First Day of Autumn by creating inviting, fall-themed atmospheres. Coffee shops and bakeries can introduce seasonal menus with pumpkin, apple, and spice flavors. Retailers might host ‘Fall Refresh’ sales on cozy clothing, home decor, or outdoor gear. Garden centers can promote autumn planting, mums, and decorative gourds, encouraging customers to prepare their homes and gardens for the season.
First Day of Autumn FAQs
When is First Day of Autumn?
The First Day of Autumn 2026, also known as the autumnal equinox, falls on Wednesday, September 23. This marks the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, heading south.
What is the autumnal equinox?
The autumnal equinox is the precise moment when the sun shines directly on the equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness across the globe. It heralds the transition from summer to autumn.
How long does autumn last?
Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere typically lasts for about 89-90 days, from the autumnal equinox on September 23, 2026, until the winter solstice around December 21. This period is characterized by falling leaves and cooler temperatures.
What is the difference between an equinox and a solstice?
An equinox occurs when the sun is directly over the Earth’s equator, resulting in nearly equal day and night hours. A solstice, conversely, is when the sun is at its furthest point north or south of the equator, leading to the longest or shortest day of the year.
First Day of Autumn Activities
Clean up your home
Cleaning up now means there will be less dust on surfaces when the weather gets cold and wet outside. So get your cleaning gear ready and get to work.
Get your furnace ready
The furnace is the most crucial part of any home heating system, so make sure it's in tip-top shape before the cold weather hits. Also, have your heating system inspected by a professional.
Prepare your clothes
Now is the time to prepare your clothes for when the temperatures drop. You can start by putting away any summer clothes that aren't going to get much use this season.
5 Fascinating Facts About Autumn
Children born in autumn may live longer
It has been found that people born in the autumn are more likely to live to 100 years old, and no, it's not just a coincidence.
Sugar in leaves affects their colors
Lots of dry weather and sunlight produce more sugars in the leaves, which lead to a brighter red, whereas colder temperatures stop the process that makes red pigments.
Birds spend most of Autumn migrating
A Swainson's Hawk can travel as far as 14,000 miles, while an Arctic Tern can cover about 44,000 miles.
It can make people depressed
Not everyone enjoys autumn as much as they do spring, and about 5% of people suffer from a type of depression known as "autumn depression."
The Earth's equator never experiences autumn
People who live very close to the equator never experience autumn — it's always warm around the equator.
Why We Love First Day of Autumn
It's a time to be thankful
The weather is cool but not cold, and the sun shines brightly during the day but with a gentle warmth that doesn't cause you to sweat. This makes autumn the perfect time to get outside, breathe deeply, and appreciate all Mother Nature has to offer.
The harvest season has begun
This is an exciting time for farmers. It is when they reap their rewards after months of hard work in the fields. This also means more variety on menus across the U.S. — and more delicious dishes for everyone to enjoy together.
It signals time to prepare for the holiday season
The first day of autumn means preparing for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays. You can start preparing early and not get caught unawares.
First Day of Autumn dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 22 | Monday |
| 2026 | September 23 | Wednesday |
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