The Fall equinox will happen on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 06:50 UTC. This means it will occur on September 23, at 2:50 AM EDT, and on Friday, September 22, at 11:50 PM PDT in the Northern Hemisphere; if you’re wondering why the date and time are different–read on! (First published September 9, 2015; this post is updated and republished to improve the content.)
The fall equinox, also known as the autumnal equinox or Mabon, marks the astronomical beginning of autumn. As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, nature bids farewell to summer and welcomes the enchanting season of fall. With the arrival of autumn, we are reminded of the fall harvest, a time-honored celebration that cultures around the world have cherished for centuries.
The celebration of the fall harvest dates back to ancient times when agrarian societies relied heavily on agriculture and nature’s cycles. It is a time to gather the final bounties of the year and prepare for the colder, darker months ahead. Cultures across the globe developed various autumn equinox rituals and traditions to express gratitude for the Earth and its many gifts and seek blessings for a prosperous winter.
Interestingly, when the autumnal equinox occurs in the Northern Hemisphere in September, the vernal equinox happens at the exact moment in the Southern Hemisphere and marks the astronomical beginning of spring. Are you confused yet? Not to worry, we answer a few frequently asked questions about the autumn equinox and share the meaning of Mabon below.
Once you learn the answers you’re looking for in the FAQs, scroll down to learn how to celebrate the autumn equinox! If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and will celebrate the vernal equinox, read about fun ways to celebrate the spring equinox.
Fall Autumnal Equinox FAQs
Before we share fall equinox celebration ideas, including a few simple autumnal equinox ritual ideas, we thought we’d clear up any confusion you may have by answering a few frequently asked questions about the fall autumnal equinox.
Related: Fall Bucket List
When does the equinox happen?
The autumnal equinox, also known as the fall equinox, Mabon, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, occurs around September 22nd or 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, this astronomical event occurs around March 20th or 21st, heralding fall’s arrival.
In other words, there are two equinoxes and solstices every year. One equinox occurs in September, while the other occurs in March. The season you welcome, fall or spring, depends on the side of the equator you live on, northern or southern. And which direction the sun is headed, northbound or southbound.
What is the equinox, and why is it important?
Something interesting happens in our celestial dance with the sun twice a year. The equinox is the point in time when the sun pauses for a moment before it crosses the celestial equator. It’s an astronomical event or moment in time that happens simultaneously across the globe but is converted to local time.
On the equinox, the sun shines directly on the equator for a day or two before continuing its journey south or north, depending on the time of year. This definition explains its name and is one of the many things that make the equinox important.
At each equinox, the Earth’s axis stands perfectly balanced, neither tilting toward nor away from our brilliant star. This cosmic alignment leads to a remarkable phenomenon. Day and night come into balance or equilibrium with approximately equal hours of daylight and darkness. This balance happens across the planet, regardless of where you are in the world. We call these magical moments “Equinoxes.”
The term “Equinox” itself carries a rich history and meaning, originating from the Latin words “aequus,” meaning “equal,” and “nox,” signifying “night.” It beautifully encapsulates the essence of these celestial events, where day and night harmoniously share the stage, ushering in a sense of balance and equilibrium that has fascinated humanity for centuries.
Related: Winter Solstice Celebration Ideas
Why is the fall equinox so important, and what makes it special?
The astronomical beginning of fall, marked by the Autumnal Equinox, is based on the positioning of the Earth relative to the sun. On this day, the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in equal parts of daylight and darkness and marking the official beginning of fall on the Gregorian Calendar.
As mentioned above, equinox means “equal night.” As the sun passes over the equator on each equinox, the length of day and night are more or less the same. Because the sun’s rays are directly over the equator, the result is approximately equal hours of daylight and darkness.
In other words, equinoxes occur when the northern and southern hemispheres face the sun and a balance between day and night is reached, as shown in the image below. This fact also explains why the equinox is celebrated as a day of balance–day and night are approximately the same lengths on the equinox.
Related: Best Fall Art Projects
What happens on the September Equinox?
On the September equinox, the sun crosses the celestial equator and continues its southbound declination from the equator 23.5 South. This means the September equinox is the fall equinox (or the autumnal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the September equinox is the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
In other words, the sun sits directly over the equator when the September equinox occurs. A time of balance or equilibrium is reached before the sun continues its journey south. Bringing fall to the Northern Hemisphere and spring to the Southern Hemisphere.
What happens after the equinox?
The sun’s southbound declination will continue once it rises and crosses over the earth’s equator in September. As a result, the Northern Hemisphere will begin to experience the cooling temperatures and golden foliage characteristic of the fall. At the same time, the Southern Hemisphere will begin to experience the warming temperatures, verdant greens, and blooming colors characteristic of the spring.
On the March equinox, these are reversed, and each Hemispheres will experience the opposite season. Thus, the September equinox marks the astronomical beginning of fall or autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. And the astronomical start of the spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Conversely, the March equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. And the start of fall or autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the Northern Hemisphere, after the September equinox, the sun will continue to shift in the sky in a southward direction so that each day will get shorter and each night will grow longer until the sun reaches its southernmost declination on the night of the winter solstice–the longest night of the year. At the same time, the days will grow longer and the nights shorter in the Southern Hemisphere until the year’s longest day is reached on the summer solstice.
When is the Autumnal Equinox in 2023?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox is also known as the fall equinox and typically falls between September 21 – 23. However, on rare occasions, the fall equinox can happen outside those dates.
This year, 2023, the fall equinox will occur on September 23, 2023, at 06:50 UTC. This means the autumnal equinox will occur on Saturday, September 23, at 2:50 AM EDT. (source)
Interestingly, because it falls in the early morning hours in 2023, the fall equinox happens on different dates depending on your time zone, even though it happens simultaneously across the globe.
For example, on the West Coast of North America, the equinox is on Friday, September 22, at 11:50 PM PDT. At the same time (pun intended), the fall equinox is the next day, Saturday, September 23, on the East Coast.
If you are curious about when the fall equinox will be next year–find out HERE!
How do people celebrate the fall harvest?
Celebrations for the fall harvest date back to ancient times when agrarian societies depended upon nature’s seasonal rhythms. Cultures around the world developed various autumnal equinox rituals and traditions to celebrate a bountiful harvest, express gratitude for the Earth’s gifts, and seek blessings for a prosperous winter.
The fall equinox, also known as Mabon or the Mid-Harvest Festival, is the second of three fall harvest sabbat festivals. The first harvest festival is called Lughnasadh or Lammas, and the third is Samhain. It’s a time to celebrate, give thanks, and prepare for the long, dark, and cold months ahead.
It’s traditional to serve locally grown and freshly harvested foods for each of these earth-based sabbats. Other common pagan celebration ideas and fall equinox rituals include attending a harvest festival, creating an altar, visiting a megalithic monument (Stonehenge), and spending time in nature.
What is Mabon?
Mabon is one of the eight Wiccan shabbat festivals celebrated during the pagan “Wheel of the Year. It is also another name for the autumnal equinox. On Mabon, fall equinox rituals about the balance between light and dark are shared along with prayers of thanks for a blessed harvest.
The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year’s crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea’n Fo’mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. (source)
Early earth-based societies understood the importance of feasting with your neighbors to create a village. They could not survive without each other, so they dined together at these fall harvest festivals to celebrate, build community, trade resources, make deals, and give thanks. This is why some consider Mabon to be a “Pagan Thanksgiving.” Learn more about pagan Mabon rituals and ceremonies HERE.
What is the spiritual meaning of the autumn equinox?
The Autumn Equinox (Mabon) is the perfect time to reflect and give thanks for everything we have received. The positive wins, things, or happenings and events, and even the not-so-great. Because, for the soul, the autumnal equinox 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 spend in contemplation, seeking balance and understanding (literally and metaphorically).
Celebrate the autumn equinox (Mabon) by harvesting your inner fruits of awareness. Turn inwards to contemplate the last several months. Do your best to find gratitude for the seeds you have not only reaped but sown. Both the “fantastic” and the “could do better next time.” When we hold gratitude in our hearts, all 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 cycles of life. By observing the changing seasons and the beauty of nature’s transformation, we can gain a sense of interconnectedness with 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?
The equinox is symbolically a time of balance. Day and night, dark and light, inner and outer, masculine and feminine. Each is in balance before the night takes over, bringing darkness along with the death of winter. It is a moment of harmony before the transition between the light and dark halves of the year. And a time to seek balance and gratitude for nature’s bounty before we succumb to the darkness.
Because we are a reflection of the universe surrounding us, A microcosm within the macrocosm, what takes place outside must also occur within us. Mabon encourages this spiritual introspection and the symbolic recognition of the dualities within ourselves and the world around us.
Just as spiritual ascent requires descent first, the coming of winter reminds us that things must come to rest before they can be reborn. Even those who long for the light must face the darkness within themselves. Use this time of universal balance to hold gratitude in your heart for the life lessons that have helped you learn and grow. While letting go of everything that no longer serves that end.
The preparation for enlightenment also occurs metaphorically as we move through the autumnal equinox and fall into the darkness. It is a time to rest, contemplate, rejuvenate, and recover to make way for the sun’s return after the winter solstice and its rebirth on the spring vernal equinox.
How is the equinox a bridge between light and dark?
The season of Mabon is a bridge between the light and dark halves of the year. It symbolizes the thinning of the veil between the physical world and the spiritual realm. Some also believe it to be a time when the connection to ancestors and the spirit world becomes more accessible. Many people also use this season in the rhythm of the year to honor and remember their ancestors. Especially at Samhain or Halloween. To seek guidance and wisdom from those who came before them, pay their respects, and offer their eternal love and devotion.
Fall Autumnal Equinox Celebration Ideas
How do people celebrate the equinox? Below is a list of fall equinox ideas and rituals you can try to celebrate the autumn equinox and prepare for the waning of the light. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and are celebrating the vernal equinox, check out “Fun Ways to Celebrate the Spring Solstice.”
How do people celebrate the Autumn equinox?
Celebrating the fall harvest at the Autumnal Equinox is rich in tradition. As the sun’s path crosses the celestial equator, ushering in the enchanting season of autumn, people gather around the world to revel in the earth’s abundance. It’s a time when fields and orchards are heavy with the fruits of summer’s labor, and the vibrant tapestry of autumn leaves paints the landscape with fiery hues.
From feasting on hearty dishes crafted from freshly harvested crops to creating altars adorned with symbols of gratitude, the Fall Autumnal Equinox is a moment to honor and give thanks for the gifts of the earth. It’s a celebration that invites us to embrace the changing seasons, set intentions for the colder days ahead, and reconnect with nature’s rhythms while basking in the golden glow of a world preparing for its winter slumber.
First, read through the brief list of cultural celebrations that happen around the world on or around the fall equinox directly below. Scroll down for a list of autumn equinox celebration ideas you can try with friends, kids, relatives, or your community.
What cultural celebrations celebrate the autumn equinox?
Diverse traditions across the globe celebrate the fall equinox. These autumnal equinox celebrations showcase the rich tapestry of cultural diversity in how people honor the changing seasons and the rhythms of nature. What cultures celebrate the equinox? A few autumnal equinox customs, traditions, and rituals include:
- Mabon is a pagan holiday celebrating the second harvest. It is one of the eight Sabbats or festivals observed in the Wheel of the Year, a Neopagan and Wiccan calendar.
- In Japan, the autumnal equinox is observed during the Buddhist festival of Higan, a time for reflection and visiting ancestors’ graves.
- Native American communities celebrate the equinox with ceremonies like the Hopi Snake Dance, honoring the balance of nature.
- In China and Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, takes center stage with families gathering to appreciate the full moon and share mooncakes.
- Michaelmas, also known as the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is an annual celebration observed on the 29th of September in England that coincides with the commencement of autumn.
- In the United States and Canada, the fall equinox aligns with the harvest season, giving rise to lively events like Oktoberfest in Germany and Thanksgiving in North America, where feasting and gratitude take precedence.
- The “Serpiente de Luz” (Snake of Light) in Mexico is a fascinating natural phenomenon that occurs at the El Castillo pyramid in Chichen Itza twice a year at the spring and autumn equinoxes. (Learn more about this auspicious event in #8 below!)
How to Celebrate the Fall Autumnal Equinox in 2023
Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox can be a meaningful and festive occasion for young and old alike. Autumn’s tapestry unfolds in a vibrant bouquet of warm colors and crisp breezes mixed with pumpkin spice. It’s a delight to the senses and the perfect time to have a celebration that pays homage to the season’s unique magic.
But how do you honor the autumn equinox? The specific autumnal equinox rituals, traditions, and customs can vary depending on your cultural background, personal preferences, and the ages of those in attendance. The festive fall equinox ritual ideas below can help you create a memorable autumnal equinox celebration or Mid-Harvest Festival.
But please remember, these are just ideas, not a mandatory list of fall equinox rituals and traditions that must be completed. Use the autumnal equinox traditions and customs found in this post to create a meaningful celebration however works for you, your kids, your family, your students, or your community.
Related: Fun Autumn Activities
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 is a time of harvest. Make a gratitude list of everything you are thankful for as a way of reaping your inner harvest. Better yet, start a gratitude journal–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. You might also enjoy doodling your thankful thoughts on the “I am Grateful Gratitude Journal Printable (photo below).”
Or try this printable thankful tree with gratitude leaves. May your inner harvest be bountiful! For even more ideas, look at this list of Gratitude Activities and Gratitude Books 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. Night and day are approximately the same lengths on the equinox. Make use of this seasonal momentum by bringing your daily life into equilibrium.
Clear energy by doing a deep fall cleaning with natural cleaning supplies. 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 increase productivity and assist you with time management.
In our home, we also like to establish seasonal routines that create a connection to the world we live in and add meaning to our family life. Our need for a sense of rhythm is one of the many reasons that we like to celebrate 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 a great time of year to engage in reflection. I like to work on goals every 90 days, so the equinoxes and solstices can be a great reminder that it’s time to review and renew goals. Consider what you hope to achieve in the coming months and set intentions or affirmations to manifest those goals. 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 our Dream Life Tool Kit!
4. Visit a local farmers’ market or farm stand.
Visit your local farmers’ market (or go to a farm) to celebrate the fall harvest and gather locally harvested seasonal foods to host a family feast. Or, host a “Pagan Thanksgiving” to celebrate the second harvest and the arrival of fall with the ideas in the next section.
5. Eat a fall harvest meal.
Create a meal from local seasonal foods to host your Mid-Harvest Feast or Mabon Thanksgiving with friends and relatives! Traditional autumn harvest foods include corn, butternut squash, zucchini, apples, pumpkins, etc. Prepare a bountiful feast for the second fall harvest using fruits and vegetables and other fresh seasonal ingredients.
Serve foods harvested from your garden or other locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. For example, your fall harvest feast could include homemade dishes such as roasted root vegetables, pumpkin soup, apple pie, and cornbread.
Or, host a potluck and invite guests to bring a dish made with something from their gardens, a local farm, or other homemade or locally sourced ingredients such as pies, casseroles, soups, loaves of bread, ciders, and wines.
If weather permits, consider having your fall harvest celebration outdoors. Set up a picnic or dining area in your garden, a park, or any 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 enjoy a fall harvest feast for Mabon or the Autumnal Equinox with you.
And, if relatives and guests attend your fall harvest feast, invite them to join you in a gratitude activity, game, or craft, or make a plan to set SMART goals together. My 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.
Whether you homeschool or send your children to school, spend time educating your children with farm-to-table experiences. The traditional things we do with our families create memories to last a lifetime.
For example, you can invite children to join you on a trip to the pumpkin patch. Then, when you get home, you can make homemade pumpkin puree and pumpkin cranberry bread or fresh pumpkin pie. Don’t worry; making pumpkin puree is easier than you think!
Children also love to pick apples and make apple pie oatmeal, and gluten-free apple crisp–yum! (This links to my family’s favorite gluten-free peach raspberry crisp. Substitute apples and add cinnamon to the recipe!)
Another great idea is to find your way through a corn maze and then go home to cook and eat corn on the cob. Or make cornbread or grits with freshly ground corn. It can also be fun to ask kids to go with you to the farmers market and help you prepare something for your fall harvest feast.
Each of these farm-to-table ideas helps children connect with the bounty nature provides to nourish us, understand where food comes from, and help them develop reverence for Mother Nature and respect for Planet Earth.
So, invite children on a field trip to a local farm this autumn. Try the fun field trip ideas above–each one includes links to fall arts and crafts and fun fall activities that the kids will LOVE!
7. Attend a fall harvest festival.
Many farms, schools, and communities host a fall harvest festival sometime around the autumnal equinox. Look in your local community resource guide to find a harvest festival near you.
8. Visit Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid, or another megalithic monument or Structure.
Most megalithic monuments and structures provide a remarkable example of how ancient civilizations had advanced knowledge of astronomy and celestial events, which they incorporated into their architectural designs, religious practices, and seasonal celebrations.
Spending time at a megalithic monument on the equinox offers an opportunity to witness ancient rituals, celebrate the changing seasons, soak in the site’s rich history, and connect with the Earth’s natural rhythms. And because the Fall Equinox is a time of balance and reflection, it’s also an ideal moment for spiritual or meditative practices amidst the monument’s natural positive energies.
What happens at megalithic Structures on the equinoxes?
Visiting megalithic structures and monuments on the Fall Autumnal Equinox provides a unique chance to marvel at the precision of our ancestors in tracking the equinoxes and solstices. Believe it or not, most megalithic structures are designed to showcase these celestial events uniquely. Following are a few examples:
- On the Autumn Equinox, Druids, Pagans, and other visitors from around the world gather at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England (United Kingdom) at dawn to mark the Equinox and to watch the sunrise above the stones.
- The only time you can “see” that the Great Pyramid of Giza actually has eight walls instead of four (other than from above) is at the spring and fall equinox. The sun’s position on the equinoxes causes a pattern of shadows to fall upon the pyramid’s walls, making all eight walls easy to see.
- The Mayan pyramid of El Castillo in Chichen Itza (also known as the Temple of Kukulcan) is constructed with precise astronomical alignments that create a spectacular visual effect during the equinoxes. As the sun sets, shadows cast by the pyramid’s steps align with a carved serpent’s head at the base of the staircase. For about 20 minutes, the shadow appears to slither down the steps, creating the illusion of a serpent descending the pyramid. This captivating event attracts numerous tourists and researchers to Chichen Itza annually, making it one of Mexico’s most renowned equinox celebrations.
9. Decorate for Autumn at home, school, or workplace.
Decorate your home or outdoor space with harvest and autumn-themed decorations. Fall harvest decorations are fun to make for the autumnal equinox and add to your DIY home decor. Decorating with pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, colorful leaves, candles, and other symbols of harvest or fall can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
It can also be fun to decorate your home for harvest with fall arts and autumn crafts to welcome the season of fall. One of our favorite ways to decorate for the fall is with Gratitude or Thankful Trees and a Fall Nature Table (photo below). Some like to add Halloween decorations to their fall decor after the equinox. You might also enjoy making a fall equinox alter with the ideas in the next section.
10. Create an Autumnal Equinox Alter.
Making a Fall Equinox altar, also known as an Autumnal Equinox altar or Mabon Alter, is a pagan ritual done at the equinox for Mabon. A fall 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 is a place of reflection, intention-setting, and connection to the changing seasons. It is often adorned with seasonal decorations and other items that reflect the colors and themes of autumn, such as leaves in various shades of red, orange, and yellow, gourds, pumpkins, and dried flowers.
Harvest symbols such as fruits, vegetables, and grains are often placed on the altar to symbolize a bountiful harvest. This can include apples, corn, acorns, etc. Burning incense or herbs like sage, cedar, or lavender can cleanse and purify the altar space and create a soothing ambiance.
Candles are commonly used to represent the balance of light and dark during the Equinox. You might 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. Many individuals add personal items or mementos that hold significance, such as photographs, handwritten intentions, or other items that represent their connection to nature and the season of Autumn.
11. Host or attend a bonfire or enjoy a fall fire pit.
A bonfire is a great way to celebrate the autumnal equinox. If safe and allowed in your area, lighting a bonfire or using a fire pit can be a great way to celebrate the fall harvest. It can not only provide warmth but add to the ambiance of your gathering.
Invite friends and family to join in the celebration. Sharing the joy of the harvest season with loved ones can make the occasion more special. 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 how to keep everyone safe.
12. Meditate or practice yoga.
Spend time meditating or practicing yoga on the equinox to take a deep dive into the spiritual meaning of Mabon.
13. Read books about autumn and the fall.
Reading books about autumn aloud with children at home or in the classroom is a great way to celebrate the fall. Check out a few of our favorites HERE–> Fall Books for Kids: Autumn Stories Kids LOVE!
14. Serve, volunteer, and commit random acts of kindness.
Since harvest celebrations often involve abundance, consider sharing some of your harvest or resources with those in need. Donating to a local food bank or volunteering at a homeless shelter can be a meaningful way to give back.
Commit random acts of kindness, or do something nice for someone else whenever the moment hits you. Even a smile across a crowded space will do. Paying it forward is a great way to help people and communities thrive as the light wanes and the days become darker and darker. Shine your light near and far.
15. Get outside and connect.
Get outside and connect with what matters on the equinox. One way to do this is to go for a nature walk. Take a leisurely walk in nature to observe the changing colors of the leaves and the signs of the season. Start by looking for the first signs of autumn, or try this fun fall scavenger hunt for kids.
Both scavenger hunt ideas allow children and adults to connect with the natural world and appreciate its beauty as summer transforms into autumn. Click the link for more information about Get Outside & Connect. You may also like this fantastic collection of outside learning activities for kids.
16. Enjoy fall foraging.
Another fun idea is to go fall foraging to hunt for natural treasures that can be used to make autumn arts and crafts. For example, collect fall leaves to make autumn crowns, tiaras, or leaf lanterns. Another is to forage for acorns to make acorn marble necklaces, ornaments, or peg dolls with acorn caps. Or go wild foraging for the fun of it.
Children love getting outside to hunt for nature’s treasures. These types of fall activities and nature crafts offer a fun way to educate children about the changing seasons and the biome in which they live. They are also a great way for adults to do something creative and relaxing outside the everyday grind.
17. Make fall crafts and create autumn art.
Make a fall craft, or try a fall art project fun on the fall equinox or any time this autumn to celebrate the beautiful warm colors this magical season brings. Engaging in creative activities like making wreaths, carving pumpkins, creating a leaf mandala, or painting autumn scenes can be fun for children and adults. Try the following fall arts and crafts:
- 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 Hand Print Tree – This seasonal handprint and fingerprint art tree is a great activity to do with your child to introduce the idea of seasonal changes. Feel free to do all four seasons or make a fall handprint art tree with golden autumn fingerprint leaves.
Fall Equinox Celebration Ideas
There are many ways to celebrate the autumnal fall equinox. Remember that the Autumnal Equinox is a time to appreciate the changing seasons and the abundance of nature. You can adapt these fall equinox traditions, rituals, and celebration ideas to fit your personal beliefs and preferences, creating a meaningful and enjoyable celebration for you and your loved ones.
Mabon is a celebration of balance, gratitude, and the cyclical nature of life. It reminds us of the importance of embracing change, giving thanks for the blessings we have received, and connecting with the natural world and our ancestral roots. Create something meaningful for you and your family–and 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 our fall bucket list filled with fun activities for 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.
Have a question we didn’t answer about the fall equinox? Use the comments below, and we will do our best to get an answer for you!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
Other Seasonal Celebrations That Fall Within the Wheel of the Year
- Samhain (Halloween, Day of the Dead)
- Yule (Winter Solstice)
- Imbolc (Candlemass, St. Brigid’s Day, Groundhog’s 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
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nell says
Thank you, Jess! We hope you enjoy celebrating the fall equinox with some of these fun ideas!
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nell says
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nell says
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post, Jeff!
Nell says
Thanks, Kira! I truly appreciate the vote of approval. When I first published this post in 2015, there was nothing like it. So, I put together a resource to help others find the information that I couldn’t–and made one for each seasonal shift (equinox and solstice). So glad you found it helpful–it makes it all worth the while.
Shelly says
Hello! You might want to check the days and dates listed at the start. September 23, 2023 is a Saturday.
Nell Regan M.A. says
Thanks for catching that Shelly, it’s been fixed and updated!
BALAKE LEWlS says
HISTORY
Nell Regan M.A. says
Helo Balake,
Would you care to elaborate on your comment? What do you mean by history?