How Many Days Until Fall?
Fall 2025 begins on Monday, September 22, 2025.
About Fall (Autumn)
Fall, also known as autumn, is the season of transition from summer into winter. Marked by the Fall Equinox when day and night are nearly equal in length, this season is characterized by cooling temperatures, spectacular foliage changes, and the harvest of many crops. It's a time of abundance before the dormant winter months.
The Science of Fall
The Equinox
The Fall (or Autumnal) Equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from north to south. This astronomical event marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and happens around September 22-23 each year.
Hemispheric Differences
While the Northern Hemisphere experiences fall in September-December, the Southern Hemisphere experiences spring during this time. The seasons are reversed due to the Earth's axial tilt relative to the sun.
Changing Temperatures
Fall is characterized by gradually cooling temperatures as the Earth's hemisphere tilts away from the sun. This cooling triggers biological changes in plants and animals as they prepare for winter.
Changing Daylight
After the Fall Equinox, daylight hours become increasingly shorter than nighttime hours, until reaching the Winter Solstice when daylight is at its minimum.
Why Leaves Change Color
The spectacular color change of leaves is one of fall's most notable features. Here's the science behind this annual display:
Green (Chlorophyll)
During spring and summer, leaves produce chlorophyll to capture sunlight for photosynthesis. This green pigment is dominant and masks other pigments in the leaf.
Yellow & Orange (Carotenoids)
These pigments are present in leaves year-round but are usually masked by chlorophyll. As chlorophyll production slows in fall, these colors become visible.
Red & Purple (Anthocyanins)
Unlike carotenoids, these pigments are produced mainly in the fall. They develop when sugars are trapped in the leaves due to cooler temperatures and shorter days.
Brown (Tannins)
These waste compounds are the last to be revealed when other pigments break down. They're responsible for the brown colors of many oak leaves.
Weather conditions affect the brilliance of fall colors. The most vivid displays occur when autumn has bright, sunny days and cool (but not freezing) nights.
Important Fall Events & Celebrations
Back to School
Late August - Early September
The traditional start of the academic year in many countries, when students return to school after summer break.
Labor Day
First Monday in September (US)
A holiday honoring the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength and prosperity of the country.
Halloween
October 31
A celebration observed in many countries with activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, and wearing costumes.
Thanksgiving
Fourth Thursday in November (US)
A national holiday centered around giving thanks and the blessings of the harvest, traditionally celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals.
Dia de los Muertos
November 1-2
Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday celebrating and honoring deceased loved ones, with vibrant decorations and offerings.
Football Season
September - December
The heart of American football season, from professional leagues to college games, creating weekend traditions for many fans.
Fall Activities & Harvest Tips
Apple Picking & Orchards
- Visit local orchards for apple picking from September through October
- Look for varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji for eating fresh
- Choose firmer varieties like Granny Smith for baking pies and crisps
- Try making homemade cider, applesauce, or apple butter with your harvest
Foliage Viewing
- Plan drives through scenic rural areas to see peak foliage
- Check local foliage trackers to time your visit perfectly
- Take a hike through wooded areas for immersive fall color experiences
- Bring a camera to capture the spectacular colors
- Visit state or national parks known for their fall displays
Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes
- Visit local farms for pumpkin picking and selection
- Challenge yourself in a corn maze—many farms offer different difficulty levels
- Take a hayride through the countryside
- Attend harvest festivals with activities for all ages
- Carve pumpkins or decorate them with paint for longer-lasting displays
Fall Baking & Cooking
- Make seasonal recipes featuring pumpkin, apple, and squash
- Try warm drinks like mulled cider, chai, or pumpkin spice lattes
- Bake hearty breads and pies using harvest ingredients
- Prepare soups and stews as the weather cools
- Preserve fall produce through canning, freezing, or drying
Fall Gardening Guide
Garden Transition
- Harvest the last of summer vegetables
- Plant quick-growing fall crops like lettuce and spinach
- Order spring-blooming bulbs for planting later
- Start collecting seeds from your garden for next year
Preparation & Planting
- Plant spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses
- Divide and transplant perennials
- Add compost to garden beds
- Plant trees and shrubs (fall is ideal for root establishment)
Winterization
- Mulch perennial beds after ground freezes
- Clean and store garden tools
- Winterize irrigation systems
- Protect tender plants and young trees from winter damage
Fascinating Fall Facts
"Fall" was originally called "harvest" in Britain but became more commonly known as "autumn" by the 18th century. The term "fall" became more popular in American English.
Weight gain in fall is not just from holiday eating—humans, like many animals, are biologically programmed to pack on a few pounds as winter approaches to create insulation against cold.
Fall babies, especially those born in September and October, tend to live longer and are less likely to develop chronic diseases, according to a study published in the Journal of Aging Research.
Birds migrate in massive numbers during fall—the record for migration height goes to bar-headed geese that have been recorded flying over Mount Everest at heights of 29,500 feet.