6 Fall Equinox Rituals and Activities for Adults and Kids to Celebrate the New Season
Fall is just around the corner which means that all things cozy and soul-nourishing are within reach. To celebrate the much-anticipated time of year, perhaps you’d like to engage in some fall equinox rituals and activities. While there are many, many ways to lean into the autumn mindset—with cozy sweaters, snuggly slippers, warm beverages, great books, and moments in nature—some autumn activities date back hundreds of years. Whether you’re looking for a historic take on fall equinox rituals or more modern means for embracing the season, ahead, find six autumn equinox activities to make time for in the upcoming days and weeks.
Cook an autumn feast and eat it outside.
The Chinese Harvest Moon Festival celebrates bountiful harvests and takes place on the full moon that falls closest to the autumn equinox. During the festival, family and friends express gratitude for the harvest, for each other, and for the moon.
This year, the autumn equinox falls on Saturday, September 23, 2023. To celebrate, consider hosting an autumn potluck under the moon. When planning the menu, consider using ingredients that are in season, such as apples, figs, plums, artichokes, cabbage, and more. Need inspo? Check out our round-up of the Best Apple Recipes for Delicious Fall Dining.
Take a stroll through nature.
Pagans celebrate the transition of seasons with their very own autumn equinox festival, known as Mabon. During the festival, Pagans express gratitude for gifts from the earth, whether it’s in the form of an edible harvest or beautiful plants.
To show appreciation for the bounty of nature, take a woodland stroll or embark on a hike to revel in the sights, sounds, colors, textures, and foods that exist in the great outdoors.
Do a leaf or bark rubbing with your little ones.
When walking through nature, you may come across beautiful tree trunks or eye-catching leaves that your little one’s won’t be able to stop staring at. To prepare yourself, bring a notepad and some colored pencils or crayons along with you so that they can take a memento from the excursion.
Bark and leaf rubbings are simple to do. Simply place a thin piece of paper over top of your leaf or the bark and use a colored pencil or crayon to rub over it. Once you have your rubbing, you can leave it in your sketchbook, hang it on the fridge, or even frame it to serve as ongoing seasonal decor for years to come.
Decorate for autumn.
Once upon a time, people didn’t have access to HomeGoods, Home Sense, Amazon, and other popular decor stores to bring their autumn visions to life. Instead, they had to rely on what nature had to offer. Because of this, autumn wreaths, showcasing a colorful array of Maple leaves, acorns, and pinecones, became common.
Add a wholesome autumn decor touch to your space with a little DIY. This kid-friendly project can be done with leaves found in nature or at your local Michaels or JOANN store. All you need to create your wreath is a wire or foam form, a hot glue gun, and the leaves and seasonal accents of your choice.
Perform a fall equinox ritual.
The fall equinox is the beginning of darker days. That’s just literally, though. While the days may not be as long, there’s still so much to be grateful for during autumn. As such, you may want to perform a fall equinox ritual. Such rituals vary in nature and have been around for thousands of years but the common consensus is that they’re a means to celebrate and appreciate the season ahead.
To perform a fall equinox ritual, consider lighting a candle on your own or sitting around a bonfire with your loved ones and take time to express gratitude, either in a journal or out loud. Take time to acknowledge the light within the dark, to reassess your current state, and to contemplate ways to transition in the season ahead. After all, autumn is all about shedding old layers and beginning again. Or, in the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”
Watch a cozy fall film or series.
While this practice doesn’t date back to ancient times, TikTokers have recently been shedding light on the idea of comfort shows and films that we often feel drawn back to in times of transition and duress. These forms of entertainment often take place in cozy, autumnal settings and offer a nostalgic allure that soothes the soul. Gilmore Girls, Practical Magic, and Virgin River are just a few shows and films that fill the bill. Turn one on, whip up a warm cup of cocoa or cider, and snuggle into the cozy fall vibes.
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