15 Ways to Celebrate the Spring Vernal Equinox

Welcome the Spring with a Vernal Equinox celebration! In 2018, the spring vernal equinox occurs on Tuesday, March 20 at 12:15 P.M. EDT. Enjoy some seasonal fun with these 15 Ways to Celebrate the Spring Vernal Equinox.

The spring equinox is also called the vernal equinox and has long been celebrated as a time of renewal and rebirth.

Many cultures celebrate spring festivals and holidays–like Easter and Passover–around the equinox. As an example, Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls after the March Equinox.

Many people believe that ancient spring solstice celebrations have influenced the Easter Traditions we celebrate today. Click on the link to learn more!

What is the Fall Autumnal and Vernal Spring Equinox?

There are two equinoxes every year. One occurs in March and the other in September.

The word Equinox is derived from Latin, meaning “equal night.” On the March and September equinoxes, the Sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are said to be equal.

Even though the date changes slightly each year, the spring vernal equinox and fall autumnal equinox always occur at the same time. The season you welcome depends on the side of the equator you live on.

In the southern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs on the same day as the spring equinox. It marks the official beginning of fall.

If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and are welcoming the fall try these ways to celebrate the fall autumnal equinox.

Spring Equinox Celebration Ideas

Below you will find 15 spring equinox celebration ideas. Some of these suggestions are individual ways to celebrate while others can be done with family and friends. Create something meaningful for you and your family and you can’t go wrong.

The spring equinox has been celebrated as a time of renewal and rebirth for thousands of years. To learn more about the signs of spring’s arrival and what to look for in the natural world, check out Search for Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt.

15 Spring Vernal Equinox Celebration Ideas

1. Get Outside & Connect

Take some time to celebrate the new life that surrounds you in nature. Watch the sunrise and/or sunset, go for a walk in the park, take a bike ride, lay in the grass, or take a hike. As you do so, observe all the new life beginning around you.

For more outside activities check out Get Outside & Connect.

2. Plant New Life

This is a good time of year to start planting your flowers and gardens if you haven’t already. If you live in an area where it is still not possible to plant anything, you can start some plants indoors or get your yard and garden ready for late spring plantings.

You may enjoy Planting Spring Flowers or Planting Sunflowers with the kids.

3. Visit a Megalithic Monument

This may not be possible for many of us but the idea of it sure is fun! Stonehenge is open to visitors on the winter and summer solstices and spring and autumn equinoxes.

4. Bring Spring into your Home

Pick or purchase a bouquet of spring flowers.
Refresh and renew your home and body with essential oils. There is nothing like an essential oil diffuser to bring the fresh scents of spring into the home. To learn more check out Getting Started with Essential Oils for a Healthy Home.

5. Prepare a Family Feast

No spring celebration is really complete without a family meal to go along with it. For the solstice, celebrate with foods that honor the coming of spring — eggs, early spring greens, shoots, sprouts, seasonal local produce, local bread, wine, etc.

6. Have or Attend a Bonfire

A bonfire is a great way to celebrate the equinox. Tell stories, dance, sing, beat drums, play music, and celebrate the spring.

Please be safe and follow city or county laws and regulations. For more information see 10 Tips for a Safe Bonfire with Kids.

7. Enjoy Spring Arts, Crafts, and STEAM Activities

Creating spring crafts is a great way to welcome in the season. Check out our SPRING BUCKET LIST list for lots of seasonal crafts and activities including how to make an Easter Tree.

All Season Hand Print Tree – This four-season hand and fingerprint tree is a great activity to do with your child to introduce the idea of seasonal changes. Feel free to do all seasons or just a spring tree.

8. Decorate Eggs

If you’re not ready to decorate your Easter eggs on the solstice. You can decorate some wooden Easter eggs for displaying around your home.

You can also add them to Easter baskets and hide them for egg hunts. Check out these Wooden Egg Crafts for lots of fun ideas!

Another fun idea is creating watercolor surprise egg art… click on the link to download our FREE printable egg template!

9. Add Spring Decor to your Home

Decorate your home with spring decor. Try some of the spring arts and crafts found on our spring bucket list, or create a spring nature table. For more information check out How to Create a Spring Nature Table.

10. Read Books about Spring

Read spring books with your kids to help them understand the equinox and the cyclical nature of the seasons. For a short and sweet list check out Spring Books for Kids.

11. Stand an Egg on its End

Legend has it that it is Easer to stand an egg on its end during the spring equinox. I have never tried this, but it sounds like a great party trick to attempt while waiting for your spring solstice family feast.

12. Meditate and/or Practice Yoga

Meditate upon new spring life, and celebrate the change of seasons. On the equinox, day and night, dark and light are balanced. Meditate and/or practice yoga to create inner peace and balance.

13. Restore Balance in the Home

Restore balance in the home by doing a spring deep cleaning. Get rid of clutter and anything that you no longer need to make space for the new season. Check out How to Make Natural Cleaning Products.

14. Begin Something New

Solstices and equinoxes are a great time to let go of the old and begin anew. As the days begin to grow longer and the temperatures begin to warm, people begin to spend more time outdoors. It is a great time to begin something new.

Make a list of everything you’ve been wanting to do.
Pick your top three choices.
Make a plan to start one and go from there. Don’t know where to start? See Creating Positive Habits.

15. Establish a Daily Rhythm

Spring is typically a time of renewal and rebirth. Establishing a new rhythm on the spring equinox will help you get organized and provide a framework for your day.

Children also thrive on rhythms in the home. Pop over to read How to Plan Your Daily Rhythm for Success for more information.

In the southern hemisphere, the fall autumnal equinox occurs on the same day as the spring vernal equinox. It marks the official beginning of fall.

Don’t forget to check out our SPRING BUCKET LIST!

For more Seasonal & Holiday fun click HERE! To learn more about Rhythms of Play click HERE!

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