Updated 2026 | Autumn in the United States will begin on September 23, 2026 at 7:06 pm Central Time (CDT). Its beginning is marked by the so-called Autumnal Equinox, with which We say goodbye to summer.
The main months of this season are September, October and November; autumn will end with the Winter Solstice, which in 2026 will happen on December 21 at 8:50 pm Central US time.
Below, we tell you what autumn means and what characterizes this special season in the United States.
When does autumn begin?
Every year, Autumn begins in the northern hemisphere with the autumn equinox., an astronomical phenomenon where the sun crosses the celestial equator, thus marking the transition from summer to autumn.
The particularity of the autumn season is that days and nights have practically the same length, with 12 hours each.
The transition from summer to autumn is not only astronomical, but is also linked to various cultural and spiritual celebrations. A clear example is Thanksgiving Day or "Thanksgiving“, a holiday linked to the harvest cycles and gratitude, which we will talk about below.
What happens in the United States in the fall?
Fall in the United States brings with it a series of changes and events that are very special. We are not going to cover all of them, because that would be impossible, but we will cover some of the ones that we find most special.
Transformation of the natural landscape : change in the color of the leaves
With the arrival of autumn, the days become shorter and temperatures begin to drop. This causes trees to reduce the production of chlorophyll, the pigment that gives them their characteristic green color. As a result, the Leaves and foliage take on warm, vibrant tones.
The North Carolina forests are among the most popular destinations in the United States to enjoy this impressive natural spectacle.
Autumn festivities
El Thanksgiving Day, one of the most important holidays in the United States, is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a day when families gather to share traditional foods such as roast turkey, accompanied by side dishes such as mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.
This day is marked as one of the 11 national holidays in the United States, which means that most Americans are not working and are taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the company of their loved ones.
Cultural events and festivals autumn
Halloween, celebrated on October 31, is perhaps the most iconic holiday of autumn. During this night, the streets are filled with parades, costume parties and traditional trick-or-treating for the little ones.
In cities with a strong Latin presence, like North Carolina, also celebrates the Day of the Dead November 1st and 2nd, a holiday that has many differences with Halloween, and that honors deceased loved ones with altars, candles and offerings.
Outdoor activities
The fall season in the United States is popular for activities such as hiking and camping in national parksNorth Carolina is one of the states that are reference points for the transformation of the colors of the trees in its forests during the fall.
Hiking in NC
Why do mountains in North Carolina look blue?
“Fall Blues”
“Fall Blues” translates as: autumn melancholy or autumn sadness. It is what we usually call that feeling of sadness or melancholy that some people may experience during the fall.
Fall Blues is associated with reduced sunlight and falling temperatures. Although it is not a medical diagnosis – This would be seasonal affective disorder-, is a reminder of how changing seasons can affect our mood.
Sports
Fall is synonymous with American football in the United States. The NFL regular season begins in September and runs through December, making every weekend a ritual for sports fans.
Additionally, the World Series baseball season is held in the fall, while marathons like the New York City marathon—one of the largest in the world—also take place in the fall.
By the way, in English, autumn is spelled "Autumn" and pronounced "aw-tum." However, more informally, the term "Fall" is used, pronounced "f-al."
We leave you some curious facts about autumn around the world
- Mabon. -This is how the autumn equinox festival was formerly known in the United Kingdom.
- Mehgregan. – It is the Persian celebration of the beginning of autumn in honor of the god Mithras
- Haleg-Montah. – In Celtic culture it means “sacred month” and marks the beginning of autumn
- Ohioan or O-HIgan. -For Japanese culture it is the period of equinoxes in which ancestors are honored.
Republish our stories for free on your website or newspaper. We follow the Creative Commons license. Click the box and follow the instructions.
