10 Wonderful Ways to Celebrate the Fall Equinox
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Fall is nature’s way of letting go and settling before the silence and darkness of winter are upon us. It is a time of gathering close and sharing our abundance with others through celebrations and feasts. We have this time to be grateful for family and cooler temperatures.
The Autumnal Equinox is a way to celebrate the coming season, and it can be done however you wish. This is a time for Thanksgiving, Samhain, Mabon, and, of course, the equinox. Fall is full of things to celebrate, so let’s dive in!
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What is the Autumnal Equinox?
On the fall equinox, day and night are equal in length, just like on the spring equinox. However, as we approach the winter solstice, which usually occurs between December 19 and 23 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 19 to 23 in the Southern Hemisphere, the days will get shorter and the nights longer.
Equinox comes from the Latin equinoctial, which means “the time of equal days and nights.”
This was a time for our ancestors to have feasts and celebrate the land’s bounty. In modern times, we often gather with family and friends and are reminded to be grateful for all we have before the deep winter sets in.
It is also called the fall equinox.
Why is it important to celebrate the fall equinox in modern times?
- It reminds us to be grateful for all we have and is a great time to start a gratitude jar with family.
- We can learn from nature that this is a time to let go of what no longer serves us.
- As the days get darker, we can gather with loved ones and fondly remember those we have lost.
My Favorite Ideas for the Fall Equinox
These are all suggestions that I have personally celebrated or done. Be creative and go with what resonates with you. These are simply ideas to start appreciating the season!

1. Make a Stew with Autumn Produce
This is one of my favorite ways to celebrate fall! The produce is hearty and filling on cool autumn evenings. Beef stew has always been a favorite of mine to make on the equinox, and it makes me nostalgic for my grandfather’s beef stew, which he often made. Baking bread of any kind is another beautiful idea for cold-weather comfort!
Here are my favorite recipes:
- Slow cooker beef stew from Kristine’s Kitchen
- Chicken Stew from Budget Bytes
- Apple Cinnamon Bread from Julie Blanner
2. Celebrate Mabon
Mabon is one of the three harvest holidays in pagan traditions. It is celebrated on the autumnal equinox when all fruit and vegetables are ripe and ready to yield their bounty.
It is a time to give thanks, feast, and drink wine. It is also a time to give back to the community and give to food pantries and charities. Use the recipes above to celebrate Mabon.
Some Ideas for Mabon:
- Bring nature in and make an altar or simple decorations: acorns, twigs, colorful leaves, etc.
- Perform a house blessing.
- Cook a feast for family and friends.
3. Walk in Nature & Notice the Changes
The world outside changes every moment, especially when fall is here. This is the time to get outside and notice all the little things, like the changing of leaves, different plants growing, and the crispness in the air.
Nature Walk Ideas:
- Find a local walking trail or park to visit.
- Do a scavenger hunt with or without kids.
- Bring home some fall foliage to decorate or craft with!

4. Honor the Dead
Every year on Halloween night, we light candles for each person we have lost and stand in silence to remember them. This time of year, I feel most connected with those I have lost, and even though it makes me sad, I still love to think of them.
Ways to Honor the Dead:
- Have a dumb supper.
- Have an altar with pictures, mementos, and candles.
- Gather around a family photo album or do ancestor research.
5. Make a Gratitude Jar
I have always loved this idea and tried it one year. I still read the notes we wrote years ago and see how much we have changed. This is an easy and uplifting idea for the whole family to participate in. Gather as many messages as possible, then read them during Thanksgiving!
How to Make a Gratitude Jar:
- Grab a jar, like a mason jar or any jar you want.
- Get little pieces of paper like Post-its.
- Write one thing you are grateful for.
- Fold up the paper you wrote on and throw it in the jar.
- Share them or read them whenever you need a smile.

6. Go Apple Picking
I love a good “pick-me” farm. It is a lovely way to connect with nature and its bounty. Getting a tangible sense of where our food comes from is a spiritual experience!
Other Perks of Apple Picking Farms:
- Pumpkin and Apple Donuts
- Handmade goods like honey, body products, & baked goods
- Apple cider, apple juice, apple pies!
7. Cleanse Your Home
I am notorious for cleansing my home often. Being a homemaker and mother of two small children keeps me moving and improving my house physically and spiritually, seemingly all the time.
Here are some ideas to cleanse your home regardless of your belief system.

8. Venture to Your Local Farmers Market or Fall Festival
Walking through a farmers market in late summer and attending fall festivals gives you a magical feeling. Handmade goods and homegrown produce make you feel like a pioneer woman when you find that perfect hard-carved wooden spoon!
You never know what to find, so seek out your local farmer’s markets and festivals!
9. Decorate Your Home
Finally, it’s time to break out the decorations again! This is also the time to make homemade crafts to decorate your home. Whether you decorate for fall, Halloween, or both, it’s time to get creative!
A Few Ways to Decorate:
- Make a fall or Halloween wreath.
- Make a dried orange garland.
- Buy a porch goose and dress it for the season!
10. Have a Bonfire
Ancient bonfires were a part of many celebrations and are everyday things that come to mind when we think of fall. Bonfires are a time to gather, spin stories, make smores, and burn unwanted yard waste.
Ways to make bonfires more fun:
- Marshmallow sticks are used for easier smore making and smore supply caddy!
- Color-changing packets for your fire pit.
- Cute “Welcome to Our Fire Pit” flag.
Conclusion
I will shamelessly admit this is my favorite time of year, full of magic and spooky fun. I hope this list helps you get into the spirit of the fall season with friends and family.
Stay cozy & Happy Fall!