Each year, the autumn equinox occurs between September 22nd and 23rd in our part of the world.
In 2025, it falls on September 22 at 2:19 p.m., Atlanta time.
This celestial event marks the official start of fall, according to astronomical calendars. On this day, the sun is directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal hours of daylight and darkness.
The equinox marks the transition from summer’s long, bright days to autumn’s cooler, darker ones. Spiritually, the two annual equinoxes are seen as a time to reflect on balance—between light and dark, action and rest. And of course, the autumn equinox is associated with the harvest season.
Here are a few ways to observe or celebrate the autumn equinox and change of seasons.
How to celebrate the autumn equinox
Enjoy seasonal food and drink
Gather family or friends for a meal celebrating seasonal foods. Incorporate root vegetables, squash, apples, and grains into an autumn-themed feast.
You can also enjoy spiced beverages like cider, mead, chai, or mulled wine — either at home, or at your favorite coffee shop or watering hole.
Take a nature walk
Of course it’s still summery and hot in Atlanta. But if you step outside and look around, you can take note of the seasonal transformation. A few leaves are starting to fall and the light is shifting. Autumn wildflowers include yellow goldenrod, blue asters, and wild ageratum. Here are a few of our favorite walks:
- Stroll around the lake and thru the woods at Murphey-Candler Park
- Visit old homestead ruins on the nature trail at Mary Scott Nature Park
- Walk the paved trail at the Peachtree Creek Greenway
Create seasonal decor
This is the time of year when you’ll see porches and entryways decorated with cornstalks, fall chrysanthemums, pumpkins, hay bales, and wreaths of colored leaves. You can decorate outdoors, or create a fall-themed display on a tabletop inside.
To find materials for your fall decor, you can:
Visit a pumpkin patch
Head to a fall farmers market
Make a fall-themed excursion or day trip
Ready for some fall fun?
The month of September is time for weekends full of:
- Fall fairs and festivals
- Pick-your-own apple orchards
- Corn mazes and fall farm days
- Oktoberfest events
- Scarecrow exhibits
Burn candles for light and shadow
When you settle down for the evening, light candles to represent the balance of light and darkness. Whether you go for traditional wax candles or the new flameless types, you’ll create a cozy atmosphere.
If you’re the spiritual type, contemplate what you’d like to illuminate in your life, and what you’re ready to let fade into the shadows.
Honor the apple — symbol of the season
Apples have long featured in equinox traditions. Go apple picking at a north Georgia orchard, bake an apple pie, or take a crisp apple with you on a fall walk.
Or, plan ahead for the Georgia Apple Festival, just around the corner in October.
Check out our Complete Guide to Atlanta Fall Festivals & Fairs -- which covers the entire metro area and includes all the fairs and festivals from September thru November.
You may also be interested in:
- The best corn mazes and pumpkin patches to visit this fall
- Fall Apple Festivals and pick-your-own orchards
- Complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this fall
- Discounts for Stone Mountain's Pumpkin Festival "Glow by Night" attraction
- Enjoy an outdoor movie under the stars
- 30+ Trick-or-Treat and Trunk-or-Treat events
- Things to do for Halloween: Our huge list of spooky fun!
- Unwind with these free yoga classes in metro Atlanta parks
- The North Georgia State Fair: daily deals & discounts
- The Atlanta Greek Festival is back in 2025!
- Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this fall
- The Georgia State Fair returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway
Find some fall fun:
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