Start of Fall (Autumnal Equinox): When Is The First Day?

In 2023, Fall will last from September 22 until December 22, which is when Winter starts. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, the astronomical Start of Fall is on September 23. This day is also known as the Autumnal Equinox.

Fall is the transitional season between Summer and Winter.

The Autumnal Equinox is also known as the Fall or September Equinox, and it happens when the Sun crosses the celestial equator towards the South. This event marks the start of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere. 

In Latin, Equinox means "equal night". On the day of the Autumnal Equinox, day and night are roughly the same lengths. After the Autumnal Equinox, the days start to get shorter and the nights get longer, as the Sun rises late and sets early. 

Learn more about the Autumnal Equinox.

With the transition from Summer into fall, the temperatures start getting colder, and the days become shorter. The change in weather and sunlight affects vegetation such as plants and trees, whose leaves start turning red, orange, or yellow before they shed. 

While Fall is usually a cold month, some states in America don't really experience the change in temperature, as is the case of California and Florida, where it remains a moderate 72°F. However, some states are picture-perfect during fall, with foliage turning into beautiful shades of reds and oranges. 

It is also during fall that some of America's favorite activities take place, such as pumpkin picking, country fairs, and hiking. 

The start of Fall, and specifically the Autumnal Equinox, is a reason to celebrate in many cultures and religions all over the world. 

One of the most important events that happens with the arrival of Fall is the Harvest season. Since ancient times, people have been welcoming the harvest season with traditions, rituals and festivals. The most significant celebration tied to the harvest season in the United States is, of course, Thanksgiving. Those of Jewish faith also celebrate Sukkot during this period. 

In the United States, pumpkins and apples are often associated with Fall, as this is the perfect season to harvest them and use them. 

The popularity of pumpkins during fall is also tied to the popular holiday of Halloween. On this day, people carve scary faces and designs into pumpkins, dress up in costumes, decorate their homes and go trick or treating. Even though Halloween is only celebrated on October 31st, people start getting ready for it much earlier, closer to when Fall starts.