Countdown to Fall
About this countdown
This countdown points to September 22, the most common date of the September equinox and the astronomical start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. (The exact moment shifts between September 21 and 23 depending on the year.)
Sweater weather, pumpkin everything, and the run-up to Halloween — fall fans start checking this page in July, and honestly, fair.
About First Day of Fall
- Date
- ~September 22 (equinox: Sep 21–23)
- Also called
- Autumnal equinox
- Type
- Astronomical season start
- Hemisphere
- Northern
- Meaning
- Day and night nearly equal; nights lengthening
The September equinox marks the sun crossing the celestial equator heading south — astronomical autumn for the Northern Hemisphere. Harvest festivals have anchored to this moment across cultures, from Europe's harvest home feasts to East Asia's Mid-Autumn Festival season.
Like its March twin, the date drifts between September 21 and 23. This page uses September 22, the most common date, and the sweater-weather anticipation takes it from there.
First Day of Fall: Facts Worth Knowing
- The full moon nearest the September equinox is the Harvest Moon — its early-evening rise historically let farmers work later.
- Aurora activity statistically peaks around the equinoxes — fall is prime northern-lights season.
- The Mid-Autumn Festival, one of East Asia's biggest holidays, is tied to the season's full moon.
- Meteorological fall begins September 1.
- In the Southern Hemisphere this same moment starts spring.
- Pumpkin-spice season now reliably beats the actual equinox by a month — commerce runs ahead of astronomy.
Upcoming Dates: When Is First Day of Fall Next?
Computed automatically for the next ten years — always current, never out of date.
| Year | Date | Day of week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 22 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 22 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 22 | Friday |
| 2029 | September 22 | Saturday |
| 2030 | September 22 | Sunday |
| 2031 | September 22 | Monday |
| 2032 | September 22 | Wednesday |
| 2033 | September 22 | Thursday |
| 2034 | September 22 | Friday |
| 2035 | September 22 | Saturday |
Make it yours
Want your name on it, a different date, or a different look? Create a personalized countdown — pick from 18 themes, get a share link and embed code.
Frequently asked questions
When is the first day of fall?
This countdown uses September 22, the most common date of the September equinox. The exact moment varies between September 21 and 23; meteorological fall begins September 1.
How many days until fall?
The live counter above shows the exact days, hours, minutes and seconds remaining in your local time zone.
Why does the equinox date move?
The astronomical year is about a quarter-day longer than the calendar year, so the moment drifts and leap years pull it back.
What comes after this countdown?
Halloween — and yes, we have a countdown for that too, linked below.