How to Celebrate the Fall Equinox: Nature Activities, Traditions, and Crafts

The Fall equinox will occur on September 23, 2026, at 00:05 UTC (12:05 am UTC). This means it will happen on Tuesday, September 22, at 8:05 PM EDT and 5:05 PM PDT in the Northern Hemisphere.

Celebrate the autumn equinox with fall activities, crafts, rituals, and traditions from around the world. The autumn equinox is one of nature’s quiet turning points in the wheel of the year. It marks the time of year when the heat of summer slowly gives way to fall in the Northern Hemisphere, and when spring begins in the Southern Hemisphere.

Jump to the fall equinox celebration ideas ↓

Harvest celebrations have brought communities together for centuries to gather seasonal foods, give thanks, and prepare for the months ahead. Traditions vary across cultures and climates, but many reflect a close connection to the land and the changing seasons.

Today, the autumn equinox offers an opportunity to continue that spirit of gratitude with a harvest feast, time in nature, or a meaningful seasonal tradition

Honoring the Arrival of Autumn

With the arrival of autumn comes the fall harvest, a time-honored celebration that cultures around the world have cherished for centuries. While traditions vary, they all share a deep appreciation for nature’s rhythms and the Earth’s abundance at harvest.

Although what we do has changed throughout my daughter’s childhood and homeschool education, today we most enjoy noticing the signs of autumn on our daily walk, creating a fall nature table, and making simple fall arts and crafts for the equinox. My whole family enjoys harvesting the last foods from our garden, visiting a farmers market, and celebrating with a delicious autumn feast. We also enjoy many of the other fall equinox activities in this informative guide throughout autumn.

First published on September 9, 2015, this informative article shares several ways to celebrate the fall equinox. It includes seasonal activities, simple rituals, and meaningful traditions you can enjoy on your own, with friends, children, students, family, or community. I regularly update it to reflect the current date and time of the equinox and to enhance the content. You might also enjoy these fun fall activities for kids or adults. It includes a FREE printable fall bucket list full of fun autumn activities.

Celebrating the Equinox

Today, the autumn equinox offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down and reconnect with the world around us. On this day, day and night are nearly equal in length, reminding us that the natural world is always moving through seasons of change, balance, and renewal.

This seasonal milestone invites children and adults alike to notice the changing landscape, celebrate the harvest, and create simple, meaningful traditions with loved ones. In this informative guide, you’ll discover the meaning and history of the autumn equinox, learn why it occurs, explore how cultures around the world celebrate it, and find plenty of fun autumn equinox activities for kids, families, classrooms, and nature lovers.

From a fall harvest feast to nature walks, seasonal crafts, and gratitude journaling, there are countless ways to celebrate the autumn equinox. Whether you are celebrating for the first time or continuing a cherished tradition with your family or community, these fall activity ideas can add to your celebration and help you embrace the gentle rhythm of the seasons.

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with Kids

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, nature bids farewell to summer heat and welcomes the enchanting fall season. The autumn equinox is a wonderful opportunity to help children notice the subtle changes occurring in the world around them. It’s a chance to celebrate the harvest, observe nature’s changing rhythms, and create meaningful family traditions that children will remember for years to come.

Celebrate nature’s cycles as we transition from the lighter to the darker half of the year with the fall equinox celebration ideas, rituals, and traditions below. Rather than focusing on a single day’s celebration, think of the equinox as a signal that a new season of discovery, gratitude, creativity, and outdoor adventure is beginning. It’s a great time to witness life’s natural rhythms and celebrate the changing seasons as we transition from summer to fall.

Choose one activity from the fall equinox celebration ideas below, or enjoy several throughout the week and into the coming months. This guide includes several fall activities you can do to celebrate the equinox with children, family, friends, your community, or on your own. Most suggested activities also work well as fall equinox classroom activities and homeschool ideas. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you might be more interested in these fun ways to celebrate spring, as the seasons are reversed.

Fall Equinox FAQs:

Before I share fall equinox celebration ideas, including a few simple autumnal equinox rituals, I thought I’d clear up any confusion by answering a few more of the most frequently asked questions. Knowing the answers to these FAQs will help you better understand the activities, rituals, and traditions associated with the autumnal equinox included below, but feel free to scroll past them to see the celebration ideas further down the page.

What is the Autumn Equinox?

The autumn equinox marks the astronomical beginning of fall, when the Sun crosses the celestial equator—an imaginary line in the sky above Earth’s equator. Around this time, day and night are nearly equal in length.

Also called the fall equinox or autumnal equinox, it occurs in September in the Northern Hemisphere and March in the Southern Hemisphere. Each hemisphere’s autumn equinox marks the beginning of spring in the other. Many modern Pagans celebrate this seasonal milestone as Mabon, while modern Druidry calls it Alban Elfed.

When is the Fall Equinox in 2026?

There are two equinoxes and two solstices that happen every year. One occurs in September, and the other in March. The autumnal equinox typically occurs on September 22nd or 23rd.

The season you welcome, fall or spring, depends on the side of the equator you live on, northern or southern. After the fall equinox, the Northern Hemisphere welcomes the seasonal signs of autumn, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences the first signs of spring.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox, also known as the fall equinox, typically occurs between September 21 and 23. However, on rare occasions, it can happen outside those dates. This year, the fall equinox will occur on September 23, 2026, at 00:05 UTC (12:05 am UTC).

Why does the autumn equinox happen?

Something interesting happens in our celestial dance with the Sun twice a year. Earth’s axis is tilted as it orbits the Sun, giving us our seasons. At each equinox, neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the Sun.

The equinox marks the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator—an imaginary line in the sky above Earth’s equator—moving south in September or north in March. It’s an astronomical event that happens worldwide at the same moment but is expressed in local time.

Around this time, day and night are nearly equal in length. The term “equinox” comes from the Latin words aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, meaning “night.” Daylight actually lasts slightly longer than 12 hours because Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight, and sunrise and sunset are measured using the Sun’s upper edge.

This means the autumnal equinox will occur on Tuesday, September 22, at 8:05 PM EDT. On the West Coast of North America, the autumnal equinox is on Tuesday, September 22, at 5:05 PM PDT. To find out when the September equinox will be next year, visit Time and Date –> HERE!

Why is the fall equinox special?

The autumnal equinox marks the astronomical beginning of fall. In September, the Northern Hemisphere welcomes autumn while the Southern Hemisphere welcomes spring. These seasons are reversed at the March equinox.

The nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness inspire the idea of balance associated with many fall equinox traditions. The diagram below shows how sunlight reaches Earth at the September equinox.

For those welcoming autumn, it is a time of harvest and gratitude. Whether you’re welcoming autumn or spring, the equinox invites us to pause, reflect, and connect more deeply with Earth’s rhythms.

What happens after the fall equinox?

After the September equinox, the Sun’s apparent position continues to shift southward in the sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, days continue to shorten and nights grow longer until the winter solstice, which brings the shortest day and longest night of the year.

As autumn unfolds, many places experience cooling temperatures and golden foliage. The timing of these signs of fall varies with location and local climate—they may appear before or after the equinox.

At the same time, the Southern Hemisphere welcomes longer days and shorter nights. Warming temperatures, fresh greens, and blooming flowers are familiar signs of spring in many regions. Daylight continues to increase until the December solstice, which marks the Southern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year.

What is the connection between the Autumn Equinox and the Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, it usually occurs in September, but it can fall in October. Its bright moonlight traditionally helped farmers continue harvesting after sunset.

Around this time of year, the Moon rises with a shorter delay between successive evenings in many Northern Hemisphere locations. This provides several evenings of moonlight near sunset. The interval depends on latitude, so it is not always 25 minutes.

The Harvest Moon is not necessarily larger or brighter than other full moons. Like any full moon, it can appear unusually large near the horizon because of the Moon illusion. Its light may also look orange or reddish as it passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere.

According to Time and Date, in 2026, the Harvest Moon reaches peak illumination on September 26 at 12:49 p.m. EDT (9:49 a.m. PDT). Look for it rising near sunset that evening; the exact moonrise time depends on your location.

Why do people celebrate the Autumn Equinox?

Harvest celebrations date back to ancient agricultural communities whose lives depended on seasonal rhythms. Gathering crops and preparing for colder weather provided opportunities to share food, strengthen community ties, and give thanks.

Today, people celebrate the autumn equinox for many reasons, including gratitude for the harvest, spiritual reflection, and a desire to connect with nature. Customs vary, and some autumn festivals follow calendars other than the equinox

For many, welcoming autumn is a time of harvest and gratitude. Whether you’re welcoming autumn or spring, the equinox invites us to pause, reflect, and connect with Earth’s rhythms. You might also enjoy these Fall Art Projects.

How do people celebrate the fall harvest?

People celebrate the fall harvest by sharing seasonal foods, gathering with loved ones, and expressing gratitude for the Earth’s gifts. The timing and customs of harvest celebrations vary across cultures and regions.

In many modern Pagan traditions, three festivals mark the harvest season: Lughnasadh, or Lammas; Mabon at the autumn equinox; and Samhain. Mabon is often described as the second harvest—a time to give thanks and prepare for the colder months ahead.

Celebration ideas include preparing a meal with locally harvested foods, attending a harvest festival, creating a seasonal altar, and spending time in nature.

What is Mabon?

Mabon is a modern Pagan celebration of the autumn equinox, observed by many Wiccans and other Pagans as part of the eight-festival Wheel of the Year. It is often associated with the second harvest, gratitude, and the balance between light and darkness.

Although harvest celebrations have ancient roots, the name Mabon is modern. Aidan Kelly described choosing the name for a Pagan calendar in 1974, inspired by the Welsh mythological figure Mabon ap Modron.

Modern Mabon celebrations may include a harvest feast, seasonal decorations, offerings, and reflection on the changing seasons. Some people call it a “Pagan Thanksgiving,” though beliefs and practices vary.

What is Alban Elfed?

Alban Elfed is the name used for the autumn equinox festival in modern Druidry. The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids interprets the name as “The Light of the Water.”

The festival celebrates the harvest and the balance between light and darkness as the year turns toward its darker months. Celebrations may include feasting, giving thanks for the Earth’s bounty, and reflecting on balance in our lives.

What cultures celebrate the autumn equinox or harvest season?

Cultures around the world celebrate the changing seasons in different ways. Some observances center on the autumn equinox, while other autumn festivals follow their own calendars and traditions.

• Modern Pagan traditions: Many Wiccans and other Pagans celebrate Mabon at the autumn equinox with harvest foods, gratitude, and reflection.
• Modern Druidry: Alban Elfed marks the autumn equinox with themes of harvest, balance, and the changing season.
• Japan: The Buddhist observance of Higan takes place around the equinox and includes remembering ancestors and visiting family graves.
• China and Vietnam: The Mid-Autumn Festival follows the lunar calendar. Families celebrate with traditions such as sharing mooncakes and enjoying the moon.
• Christian traditions: Michaelmas, the Feast of Michael and All Angels, falls on September 29 in many Western Christian calendars.
• The United States and Canada: Thanksgiving celebrations occur later in autumn and offer opportunities to gather, share food, and express gratitude.
• Mexico: Around the equinoxes, visitors gather at Chichen Itza to see a serpent-shaped pattern of light and shadow on El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulcan. Learn more in activity #10 

What is the spiritual meaning of the Autumn Equinox?

The autumnal equinox (Mabon) is an ideal time to reflect and give thanks for all that we have received. It’s about finishing old business and preparing for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection. For the soul, it is also a time of harvest. It is a time to turn inwards to acknowledge the light and shadow aspects of ourselves—a time to contemplate and seek balance and understanding (literally and metaphorically).

Celebrate the autumn equinox (Mabon) by turning inward to harvest the fruits of our personal growth and awareness. Whether through gardening, work, raising a family, or living with the ups and downs of daily life. Do your best to find gratitude for the seeds you have sown and reaped. Both the “fantastic” and the “could do better next time.” When we hold gratitude in our hearts, even our mistakes can become beautiful lessons that guide us toward the next step in our journey.

May your inner and outer harvest be bountiful!

Mabon also encourages us to connect deeply with nature and the earth’s rhythmic cycles. By observing the changing seasons and the beauty of nature’s transformation, we can feel more connected to the Earth and its rhythms. Spending time outdoors engaging in nature walks, rituals, meditations, and other spiritual practices during this time can strengthen this bond.

What is the symbolic meaning of the Fall Equinox?

Symbolically, the autumn equinox can represent balance between light and dark, activity and rest, and our inner and outer lives. It offers a moment to reflect on harmony as we transition into the darker half of the year—a time to seek balance and express gratitude for nature’s bounty.

In some spiritual traditions, nature’s seasonal changes mirror our inner lives. The autumn equinox can invite us to reflect on balance, change, and personal growth. Mabon encourages this spiritual introspection and the symbolic recognition of the dualities within ourselves and the world around us.

Winter’s approach reminds us of the value of rest and renewal. Even those who long for the light may find meaning in exploring their shadow selves and the awareness that comes with this reflection. Use this seasonal turning point to hold gratitude in your heart for the abundance in your life while letting go of what no longer serves you.

For some, this journey into the darker months can symbolize a path toward greater understanding or spiritual renewal. It invites you to rest, contemplate, practice forgiveness, show compassion to ourselves and others, and cultivate gratitude. As the seasons turn, we can look toward the lengthening days after the winter solstice and the sense of rebirth associated with the spring vernal equinox.

How is the equinox a bridge between light and dark?

The autumn equinox bridges the light and dark halves of the year and marks a seasonal transition toward longer nights in the Northern Hemisphere. For some people, this makes it a meaningful time to reflect, remember loved ones, and prepare for the quieter months ahead. In many contemporary Pagan traditions, the belief in a thinning veil between the living and the dead is especially associated with Samhain later in autumn.

How to Celebrate the Fall Autumnal Equinox in 2026:

Celebrate the autumn equinox with seasonal foods, gratitude, and time in nature. From hosting a fall harvest feast to making autumn crafts or creating a seasonal altar, these fall equinox celebration ideas offer simple ways to welcome autumn and connect with nature’s rhythms.

Explore fall equinox activities for kids and adults, along with rituals and traditions you can adapt to your beliefs, interests, and setting. Choose one for a quiet celebration on your own, or combine a few for a fall equinox party with family, friends, or your classroom. There’s no single right way to celebrate—make it meaningful to you.

Choose a few of the autumnal equinox traditions and customs outlined in this informative guide that resonate most with you to create a meaningful celebration, such as a fall equinox party or a harvest feast, tailored to your preferences and needs — whether for yourself, your kids, your family, your students, or your community.

You might also enjoy these Fun Autumn Activities. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and are welcoming the beginning of spring, try these “Fun Ways to Celebrate the Spring.”

1. Express Gratitude:

Take a moment to reflect on the past year and express gratitude for the abundance in your life aloud or on paper. The autumnal equinox falls during the harvest season in many Northern Hemisphere regions. Consider writing down what you are thankful for as the season changes. Creating a gratitude list of everything you are grateful for is an excellent way to reap your inner harvest. Better yet, start a gratitude journal to keep this practice going. After all, gratitude brings abundance!

If you don’t know where to begin, start with the food you have to eat and the roof over your head. It will flow naturally from there. Use these excellent gratitude journal prompts to find inspiration whenever you feel stuck. Speak these aloud or in a small ceremony with loved ones if you are hosting a fall equinox party, gathering, or feast. You might also enjoy doodling your thankful thoughts using our Gratitude Journal Printable, as my daughter demonstrates in the photo below.

Or try assembling a printable gratitude or thankful tree with the things you are most grateful for written on each leaf. Gratitude activities like these will help you notice the many blessings in your life. May your inner harvest be bountiful! For even more ideas, look at this list of Gratitude Activities and Gratitude Books for Kids That Inspire Thankfulness.

2. Clear Energy, Create Space, and Restore Balance:

Honor the season by clearing energy, creating space, and restoring balance in your home and workplace. On the equinox, night and day are approximately the same length. Use this seasonal momentum by bringing your daily life into equilibrium. One way to clear energy is with a deep fall cleaning. Make and use natural cleaning supplies if desired. Create space and restore balance by decluttering and removing anything that no longer serves you, literally and figuratively, to make space for inner (and outer) abundance.

Use the power of rhythm and routines to help you organize your life and provide a framework for your day. A daily rhythm can also boost productivity and support effective time management, while still leaving ample time to play or relax. In our home, we also like to establish seasonal routines that connect us to the world and add meaning to our family life. Our need for a rhythm is one of the many reasons my family enjoys celebrating the fall equinox. Children thrive on regular household rhythms and routines at home and in school, and so do parents and teachers.

3. Reflect and Renew to Prepare for an Abundant (Inner & Outer) Harvest:

The fall equinox is an ideal time of year for reflection and introspection. I like to work on goals every 90 days, so the equinoxes and solstices serve as a great reminder to review and renew goals. Consider what you hope to achieve in the coming months and set intentions or affirmations to manifest those goals. You can also create a vision board with goals, dreams, and inspirations using magazine cutouts, drawings, stickers, cards, and photos. Each of these equinox activities can help you focus your energy as the seasons shift inward. Grab the FREE QuickStart Planning Guide, and follow the steps below to get started!

• Make a list of everything you want to do.
• Pick your top three choices.
• Make a plan to start one and go from there. Start with “How to Set SMART Goals” and then look at “How to Use the Power of Habit.”
• Create intentions and affirmations to help you reach your goals.
• Continue to create a life you LOVE with the Dream Life Tool Kit!

4. Visit a Local Farmers’ Market or Farm Stand:

Visit your local farmers’ market (or a nearby farm) to celebrate the fall harvest and gather locally harvested seasonal foods. This supports local farmers, gives back to your community, and offers a chance to host a family feast or bake seasonal treats. The ideas in the following sections make it easy to celebrate the second harvest and the arrival of fall with the seasonal foods you gather at the farmers’ market.

5. Host or Attend a Fall Harvest Equinox Feast or Potluck:

In ancient times, people celebrated abundance and community with a harvest feast. Host or attend a Mid-Harvest Feast or Mabon Thanksgiving to enjoy a meal featuring local, seasonal foods in celebration of the equinox with friends and family. Prepare a bountiful feast for the second fall harvest, featuring a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, and other seasonal ingredients. Alternatively, invite family and friends to prepare a dish to share using seasonal produce and traditional autumn harvest foods, such as corn, butternut squash, zucchini, apples, nuts, pumpkins, and root vegetables.

Things to Eat for a Mabon Thanksgiving on the Fall Equinox:

Serve foods harvested from your garden or other locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from a nearby Farmers’ Market. For example, your fall harvest feast could include homemade dishes such as roasted root vegetables, pumpkin soup, apple pie, and cornbread. You could also host a potluck and invite guests to bring a dish made with ingredients from their gardens, a local farm, or other homemade or locally sourced goodies, such as pies, casseroles, soups, loaves of bread, ciders, and wines.

If the weather permits, consider having your fall harvest celebration outdoors. Set up a picnic or dining area in your garden, a park, or any other natural setting to enjoy the beauty of the season. Autumn is truly a spectacular time to get outside and take photos. Feel free to invite friends and family to join you for a fall harvest feast for Mabon or the Autumnal Equinox. If relatives and guests attend your fall harvest feast, consider inviting them to join you in a gratitude activity, game, or craft, or make a plan to set SMART goals together. As my late grandpa always said, “When heading into darkness, it’s best to take a flashlight and a good map.“

Related: Thanksgiving Traditions 

6. Gift Children with Farm-to-Table Experiences:

If you are a teacher or a parent who homeschools or sends your children to school, consider spending time educating your children through farm-to-table or farm-to-fork experiences. The traditional things we do with our families (or students) throughout the year’s rhythms create memories that last a lifetime and help educate children’s hearts and minds.

Fun Fall Farm-to-Table Activity Ideas for Kids:

There are several ways to enjoy farm-to-fork activities with kids. For example, first invite children to join you on a trip to the pumpkin patch. Next, show them how to make homemade pumpkin puree, pumpkin cranberry bread, or fresh pumpkin pie with the pumpkins you pick. Don’t worry; making pumpkin puree is easier than you think!

Children also love to pick apples and make apple cider, apple pie, oatmeal, and gluten-free apple crisp–yum! (This links to my family’s favorite gluten-free peach raspberry fruit crisp recipe. Substitute apples and add cinnamon, as instructed, to make an apple crisp.) Another great idea is to navigate a corn maze and then head home to cook and enjoy corn on the cob. Or make cornbread or grits with freshly ground corn from a local farm. It can also be fun to take kids to the farmers’ market and have them help you prepare something for your fall harvest feast.

Each of these farm-to-table ideas helps children connect with the nourishing bounty nature provides, understand where food comes from, and develop reverence for Mother Nature and respect for Planet Earth. Enjoy the abundance of autumn by inviting children on a field trip to a local farm this fall. Try the fun field trip ideas above—each includes links to fall arts and crafts and activities that the kids will LOVE!

7. Bake Seasonal Treats:

Baking seasonal treats is a fantastic way to celebrate the harvest and the season’s abundance before winter’s fallow. Bake pies, breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, fruit crisp (sub apples for peaches), and other seasonal treats and confections using fall ingredients such as pumpkin, apples, squash, nuts, and cinnamon. The farm-to-table activities above offer several options to try. Enjoy baking seasonal treats for the fall equinox with children, family, friends, or as a solo baking adventure. It’s fun to create seasonal treats to enjoy with a harvest feast, for a bake sale at a festival, to share with family, or to give to others.

8. Attend a Fall Harvest Festival:

Many farms, schools, and communities host a fall harvest festival around the autumnal equinox. Many include fun seasonal activities and games, such as sack races, talent shows, bake sales, seasonal arts and crafts, face painting, obstacle courses, treasure hunts, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, petting zoos, pony rides, a sunflower garden, or even a corn maze. Check your local community resource guide or Google for a harvest festival the whole family or classroom can enjoy this autumn.

9. Preserve the Harvest:

Prepare for the colder months by preserving seasonal foods. Try freezing produce, drying herbs, or making jam using a tested recipe. For canning, follow current, research-tested recipes and processing instructions from the National Center for Home Food Preservation or your local university extension service. Whether you’re preserving the harvest, stocking a pantry, reducing food waste, or seeking true independence, you’ll find everything you need to preserve food safely.

10. Visit an Ancient Monument or Attend an Equinox Gathering:

Some ancient monuments provide remarkable examples of how people observed astronomy and celestial events and incorporated that knowledge into their architectural designs. Spending time at an ancient monument on the equinox offers an opportunity to celebrate the changing seasons, immerse yourself in the site’s rich history, and connect with Earth’s natural rhythms. Where seasonal gatherings are held, you may also witness contemporary rituals inspired by ancient traditions.

If you experience the fall equinox as a time of balance and reflection, visiting a monument can offer a meaningful setting for spiritual or meditative practices. Some visitors find deep peace and connection in these places.

What happens at ancient monuments on the equinoxes?

Visiting ancient monuments around the autumn equinox offers a chance to explore how people observed the sky and marked the changing seasons. Some structures have documented alignments with the Sun at the equinoxes or solstices, while others serve as gathering places for modern seasonal celebrations.

What you can observe depends on the monument, the date, and the weather. If you experience the fall equinox as a time of balance and reflection, visiting a monument can offer a meaningful setting for spiritual or meditative practices. Please check each site’s official visitor information before planning a visit using the included links in the next section, as access arrangements and event schedules vary by location.

Some visitors find deep peace and connection in these places:

• Stonehenge, England: People gather here for modern equinox celebrations. Its best-known solar alignment marks the summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset. If you’re planning a visit, use English Heritage’s official Stonehenge visitor page for tickets, opening hours, and planning information.
• Loughcrew, Ireland: The ancient passage tomb known as Cairn T is aligned with sunrise at the spring and autumn equinoxes. Around these seasonal turning points, sunlight enters the passage and illuminates the chamber’s interior, offering a remarkable connection between ancient architecture and Earth’s rhythms. Check the official Loughcrew visitor information for current access arrangements before planning your visit.
• Chichén Itzá, Mexico: The Maya pyramid of El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, features a spectacular light-and-shadow effect around the spring and autumn equinoxes, as shown in the photo below. As the afternoon Sun lowers, shadows cast by the pyramid’s stepped terraces create a serpent-shaped pattern along the side of the northern staircase, connecting with a carved serpent’s head at its base. When I visited, my Maya tour guide explained how the light and shadows create this remarkable effect. This captivating sight draws visitors to Chichén Itzá for equinox celebrations, though the effect can also be visible on nearby days when conditions allow. Check the official Chichén Itzá visitor information for opening hours, admission details, and directions.

11. Add Fall Decor: Decorate for Autumn at Home, School, or Work:

Decorate your home or outdoor space with harvest and autumn-themed decorations. Fall harvest decorations are a fun way to celebrate the autumnal equinox and add to your DIY home decor. Decorating with pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, colorful leaves (fresh, preserved, or artificial), acorns, pinecones, walnuts, candles, and other harvest or fall symbols can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

It can also be fun to decorate your home for harvest with beautiful fall arts and autumn crafts to welcome the autumn season. (Click either link to see several creative projects you can try. Or check out these nature crafts made with natural materials. One of our favorite ways to decorate for fall in our homeschool is with a Gratitude or Thankful Tree and a Fall Nature Table (photo below). Many families like to add Halloween decorations to their fall decor after the equinox. You might also enjoy making a fall equinox altar using the ideas in the next section.

12. Create an Autumn Equinox Altar:

Honor the turning of the seasons with a seasonal altar with autumnal symbols. Creating a Fall Equinox altar, also known as an Autumnal Equinox altar or Mabon altar, is a pagan ritual performed at the equinox to celebrate the Mabon festival. An autumnal equinox altar is a specially crafted space or arrangement of symbolic items that people create to mark and celebrate Mabon at the Autumnal Equinox.

This altar can be a place of reflection, intention-setting, and connection to the changing seasons. It is often adorned with seasonal decorations and other items that reflect autumn’s colors and themes, such as leaves in various shades of red, orange, and yellow, as well as gourds, pumpkins, and dried flowers.

Creating an Altar for the Fall Equinox:

Place harvest symbols such as fruits, vegetables, and grains on the altar to symbolize a bountiful harvest. These can include apples, corn, acorns, and other fruits and vegetables.
Some practitioners burn incense or herbs as part of a symbolic cleansing ritual, or to create a soothing ambiance.

Candles commonly represent the balance of light and dark during the Equinox. Place a white candle (symbolizing light) and a black or dark-colored candle (symbolizing dark) on the altar. Or decorate your sacred space with autumn’s vibrant and earthy colors to match nature’s grand finale before the grey days of winter.

Some people also incorporate crystals and gemstones associated with autumn and balance, such as citrine, carnelian, and clear quartz, on their autumnal equinox altar. Many individuals also add personal items or souvenirs that hold significance, such as photographs, handwritten intentions, or other items that represent their connection to nature and the autumn season.

13. Host or Attend a Bonfire, Enjoy a Fall Fire Pit, or Light Candles:

Hosting or attending a bonfire is a traditional way to celebrate the autumnal equinox. But lighting candles, especially on an equinox altar, is another way to honor this transformational time of year. Light a fire or candles to celebrate the sun’s last rays of intense light before the descent into winter. As you do so, reflect on what you’re ready to release and what you want to carry into the darker months.

If safe and allowed in your area, lighting a bonfire or gathering around a fire pit is an excellent way to celebrate the fall harvest. It can provide warmth and add to the ambiance of a fall equinox party. Invite friends and family to join in the celebration. Sharing the joy of the harvest season with loved ones or your community can make the occasion even more memorable.

Dance, sing, beat drums, play music, and celebrate the fall. But please be safe and follow city or county laws and regulations. For more information, read about building a campfire and keeping everyone safe.

15. Read Books about Autumn and the Fall:

This is a great activity to do with children on or near the autumn equinox. Reading books about autumn aloud with children at home or in the classroom is a great way to celebrate the fall equinox with kids and help them learn more about the magical transformation that happens in nature at this time of year. Check out a few of our favorites HERE–> Fall Books for Kids: Autumn Stories Kids LOVE!

16. Serve, Volunteer, and Commit Random Acts of Kindness:

Since harvest celebrations often involve abundance, consider giving back to your community by sharing some of your “harvest” or resources with those in need, whether through donations or acts of service. Donating to a local food bank or volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen can be a meaningful way to give back. These autumn equinox activities embody the spirit of generosity and shared abundance, and make the world a better place.

Commit random acts of kindness, such as baking cookies for a neighbor or doing something thoughtful for someone else, whenever the opportunity arises. Even a smile across a crowded room will do. My daughter loves to give acorn marble necklaces to people. Paying it forward with simple acts of kindness is a great way to help people and communities thrive as the days grow darker and the light continues to wane. Shine your light near and far.

17. Get Outside and Connect: Take a Nature Walk or Relax at a “Sit Spot.”

Get outside and connect with nature on the equinox. One way to do this is to go for a nature walk or enjoy a “sit spot.” A “sit spot” is a specific outdoor location, such as a large boulder, the base of a large tree, a bench, or a clearing in a natural setting, where you sit regularly to observe your surroundings and become more mindful of the natural world around you.

Each of these outdoor activities can help you slow down and strengthen your connection with nature and the rhythms of the earth. Take a hike or a stroll in nature, or sit and observe the changing colors of the leaves and the signs of the season. Start by noticing how nature transitions into autumn, and note the first signs of the season. If you’re bringing young children, try these fun fall scavenger hunts.

Both scavenger hunt ideas enable children and adults to connect with the natural world and appreciate its beauty as summer transitions into autumn in a stunning display of gold, orange, and crimson. Click the link for more information about Get Outside & Connect. You may also like this fantastic collection of outdoor learning activities for kids.

18. Enjoy Fall Foraging:

Another fun idea is to go on a fall foraging adventure after the equinox. Encourage children and adults of all ages to take a walk outdoors to collect leaves, nuts, twigs, acorns, pinecones, and other natural treasures to create autumn arts and crafts throughout the season. You can also add these natural treasures and crafts to your fall nature table or altar.

For example, gather fall leaves to make autumn crowns, tiaras, or homemade leaf lanterns. Another is to forage for acorns to create acorn marble necklaces, ornaments, or adorable little peg doll toys for kids with acorn caps. Or go wild foraging simply for the fun of it. Children love getting outside to hunt for nature’s treasures.

These fall activities and autumn nature crafts offer a fun way to teach children about the changing seasons and the biome they live in. Outdoor fall activities (like those mentioned here and on this bucket list of ideas) are also an excellent way for adults to do something creative and relaxing outside the everyday grind when the days grow shorter and darker after the equinox.

19. Design a Seasonal Mandala:

Creating a nature mandala on the fall equinox is a fun outdoor art activity for kids and adults. Designing a seasonal nature mandala with naturally sourced autumn materials is an excellent way for children to learn about nature and the seasonal changes within the “Wheel of the Year.” As the seasons change, the natural materials available for making mandala crafts also change.

Create mandala arts and crafts on the solstices and equinoxes, and take photos to easily compare them. Creating a nature mandala can offer a quiet opportunity to notice seasonal materials, express creativity, and reflect on the changing year. Visit the tutorial to discover how to make a nature mandala and see a few beautiful examples of these exquisite nature arts and crafts.

20. Make Fall Crafts and Create Autumn Art:

Create a fall craft or try a fun fall art project on the fall equinox or anytime this autumn to celebrate the beautiful, warm colors this magical season brings. Engaging in creative activities, such as making autumn wreaths and leaf garlands, carving pumpkins, creating a seasonal mandala, or painting autumn scenes, can be enjoyable for children and adults. Creating seasonal arts and crafts with natural or foraged materials is a great way to express your creativity and bring nature’s beauty into your home. Here are some fantastic fall arts and crafts you can try to celebrate autumn:

• DIY Acorn Marble Necklaces or Ornaments
• Fall Leaf Lanterns
• Acorn Peg Dolls
• Fall Peg Doll Fairies
• Autumn Nature Craft Ideas
• Fall Leaf Crowns
• Nature Mandala
• Oak Apple Nature Craft
• Watercolor Fall Leaf Art
• Real Fall Leaf Nature Art Projects
• Best Fall Art Projects and Painting Ideas
• All-Season Handprint Tree—This seasonal handprint and fingerprint art tree is an excellent activity for introducing seasonal changes to young children. Feel free to create your masterpiece with all four seasons, or make a fall handprint art tree with golden autumn fingerprint leaves.

21. Make a Human Sundial:

Creating a human sundial is a fun activity for kids around the fall equinox, and adults will enjoy this simple idea too. My daughter and I are doing this science experiment near each solstice and equinox to observe how our shadows change throughout the day and year.

As homeschoolers, this fall equinox activity was a valuable learning experience for both my daughter and me. It was also a lot of fun to do it at the four solar points of the year: fall equinox, winter solstice, spring equinox, and summer solstice.

I encourage you to try it. If you do, I recommend taking pictures to document your shadows at each solstice and equinox. For even more fun, paint your sundial with DIY Chalk Paint, take photos of your sidewalk chalk art, and record your experiment results in a homemade nature journal.

22. Create Your Own Mabon Ritual:

Mabon rituals typically honor the second harvest and the spiritual balance between light and dark. These fall equinox activities often include creating a sacred space, such as a Mabon altar or casting a circle, and giving thanks to the earth. Rituals usually involve lighting candles, offering cider, wine, or bread, and reciting seasonal incantations, along with some of the celebration ideas mentioned above.

Mabon Fall Equinox Celebration Ideas

There are many ways to celebrate the autumnal equinox in September. It is a lovely time of year to appreciate the changing seasons and nature’s abundance. Adapt these fall equinox traditions, rituals, and celebration ideas to fit your beliefs and preferences, creating a meaningful and enjoyable celebration for you and your loved ones.

Mabon celebrates balance, gratitude, and life’s cyclical nature. It reminds us to embrace change, give thanks for the blessings we have received, and connect with the natural world and our ancestral roots. Create something meaningful for you and your family; you can’t go wrong.

How do you celebrate the fall equinox? We’d love to hear all about it. Please share the fall equinox rituals you enjoy most in the comments below. You might also enjoy this list of autumn activities. It includes a printable fall bucket list of fun activities to help you have the best autumn ever!

You may also be interested in ways to celebrate the spring vernal equinox, summer solstice, or winter solstice. Click on the links to learn more about the solstices and equinoxes.

Do you have a question about the fall equinox that we didn’t answer? Please use the comments below, and we will do our best to address them.

What is Rhythms of Play?

Please visit our About page to learn more about Rhythms of Play. For more information about this website and the author and photographer of this informative guide to the fall equinox and how to celebrate, please visit the Rhythms of Play home page or the author page, Nell Regan Kartychok.

Seasonal Celebrations in the Wheel of the Year:

• Samhain (Halloween, Day of the Dead)
• Yule (Winter Solstice)
• Imbolc (Candlemass, St. Brigid’s Day, Groundhog Day)
• Ostara (Spring Equinox)
• Beltane (May Day)
• Litha (Summer Solstice)
• Lughnasadh (Lammas)
• Mabon (Fall Autumnal Equinox)

If You Liked Fall Equinox Celebration Ideas, You Might Also Enjoy:

• Fall Tree Collage
• 10 Ways to Have Fun Outside with Fall Leaves
• Fall Leaves Watercolor Art
• Signs of Autumn Scavenger Hunt for Kids
• Squirrel Facts and Fun Ways to Learn About Squirrels