"The shift from summer to fall is almost magical. The weather gets cooler, our coffee orders get hotter, and the world outside changes from bright green to warm earth tones. There is so much to do in the fall months, from hosting parties to attending sports games to prioritizing quality time with yourself. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to soak up all that pumpkin spice season has to offer. So if you need some inspiration to fill your social calendar this fall, look no further. Here are 40 fun things to do this fall that’ll help you bask in all the magic of this season.
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1. Buy all the fall items at the grocery store
You probably already know that we’re huge Trader Joe’s fans here at The Everygirl—especially when pumpkin season hits the shelves. Go for a TJ’s run (or head to your fave local grocery store) and load up on pumpkin-spiced everything. Invite some friends over for a fall taste test or pile all your seasonal favorites onto a plate for the ultimate girl dinner.
2. Go for a hike
Before you know it, snow will cover the ground, and you’ll crave a hot girl hike in mild weather. So, seize the chance to enjoy the outdoors while you can. Whether you’re tackling a challenging trail or just taking a leisurely stroll, hiking is the perfect way to soak in the beauty of fall.
3. Craft some DIY decorations
Giving your home a fall makeover doesn’t have to mean hundreds of dollars spent at Pottery Barn or Anthropologie (though, we do love their fall decor). Instead of splurging on new decor, tap into your crafty side and try some fall or Halloween DIYs. It’s a fun and creative way to embrace the season without spending a fortune.
4. Binge-watch your favorite comfort show
There’s something about the weather getting colder that makes me want to cozy up on the couch with my favorite comfort show. Consider this your sign to spend some of these upcoming chilly fall days binge-watching old favorites like Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, or The Vampire Diaries.
5. Visit a pumpkin patch
If you want a fall activity that’ll make you feel like a kid again, visit a pumpkin patch. Many pumpkin patches are located on farms that go all-out for the fall season. So when you’re done picking the perfect pumpkin, you can go for a haunted hayrack ride, make your way through a corn maze, or keep it scare-free and buy some seasonal blooms.
6. Declutter your home
The transition between the seasons makes the perfect time to refresh your space. Since cooler temperatures will keep you indoors more often, take this opportunity to declutter and reset, ensuring your home is a peaceful retreat. Let go of items that no longer serve you and make room for the things you truly love (including some cute fall decor).
7. Host a backyard movie night
You know those early fall days when the afternoons are still warm but the nights are just starting to cool down? That’s the perfect time to have a backyard (or balcony) movie night. Choose your favorite fall or Halloween movie, and pull out the projector or haul your TV out to the patio. Then grab some pillows and blankets, pop some popcorn, pour some wine, and enjoy an outdoor movie night in the gorgeous fall weather.
8. Go apple-picking
Apple-picking is the quintessential autumn activity. There’s nothing more “fall” than spending the day at an apple orchard, picking your own apples, drinking hot cider, and snacking on apple cider donuts. Just be sure to go early in the season so you get the best pick of this year’s crop.
9. Collect and preserve some fall leaves
We all know how fleeting fall foliage is, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hold onto it. Next time you spot some fallen leaves, start collecting a few of the prettiest ones. To preserve them, try simple methods like pressing them in a book or using wax paper and an iron. You can use them in a fall craft or display them as seasonal decor.
10. Visit a corn maze
While corn mazes serve as the setting for many horror movies, they’re not all screams and terror. Visit one in the daylight and stroll along the pathways as you attempt to find your way out. It’s a sure-fire way to get into the autumn spirit.
11. Embrace soup season
IMO, the best part about fall is the fact that it’s now socially acceptable (and weather-appropriate) to eat soup for every meal. Find a cozy recipe, put on a fall movie or playlist, and cook up a pot of soup from scratch. It’s a fantastic way to romanticize the season, and you get a delicious meal out of it.
12. Carve or decorate some pumpkins
Even if you don’t make it to a pumpkin patch this year, you can still enjoy the fun of carving jack-o-lanterns. Head to the store and grab a pumpkin or two to carve with a spooky face. For a less messy option, you can also get creative with a painted design—the sky’s the limit!
13. Make a fall vision board
With the end of the year approaching, fall is the perfect time to reflect on your goals. Create a vision board to set your intentions for the rest of 2024 and visualize how you want the season to unfold.
14. Go on a ghost tour
Haunted houses are a popular spooky season activity, and if you want even more horror, try a ghost tour. It’s a unique way to learn more about your city’s history while hearing the eerie tales of local hauntings.
15. Try your hand at knitting
A cozy knit sweater is the epitome of fall, and instead of buying one this year, try making it yourself. If you’re new to knitting, start small with scarves or blankets, and soon, you’ll have a collection of cozy, handmade pieces to enjoy all season long.
16. Go to a fall festival
From Oktoberfest celebrations to carnivals to Halloween festivals, there’s an event for everyone this time of year. Look into local festivals in your area, or choose one within driving distance and make it into a road trip.
17. Plan a weekend getaway
Summer might be peak travel season, but fall is arguably the better time to travel as crowds thin and prices go down. Take a long weekend and escape somewhere new—you might be surprised at how many gorgeous fall destinations are hidden just a train or car ride away.
18. Create a fall playlist
A good playlist is guaranteed to put you in a fall mindset. Fill the playlist with songs that give you the feeling of fall—whether it be indie, folk, or the latest pop hits. If you need some inspiration to create your own, start with this cozy-girl autumn playlist.
19. Host a cozy girls’ night in
Coziness is the ultimate theme of fall, and what could be cozier than a chill night in with the girls? Invite your friends over for the perfect girls’ night in, complete with a spa night, movie marathon, and seasonal cocktails.
20. Go leaf peeping
The changing of the leaves is one of the most magical parts of fall. Depending on where you live, the leaves may start changing around you anytime between mid-September and early November. Find out the best time to see the leaves change near you and go for a drive or a hike to check out the beauty.
21. Bake a seasonal treat
Baking is one of the best things to do on a cozy fall day at home, and the smells that come with it are unbeatable. Take some time this fall to experiment with yummy seasonal ingredients like apple, pumpkin, cinnamon, and maple. Might we suggest a classic fall dessert like pumpkin bars or homemade apple cider donuts?
22. Have a movie marathon
As we get deeper into fall, we start to see more gloomy weather. And you know what pairs perfectly with a rainy day at home? A movie marathon curled up on the couch with a mug of hot tea or cider. Whether you stick with a spooky Halloween theme or rewatch some favorite rom-coms (Meg Ryan double feature, anyone?), pick your favorite streaming platform and settle in for a cozy evening.
23. Enjoy a fall-themed cocktail
Drinking on the patio is usually reserved for spring and summer, but there’s nothing stopping you from going out for cocktails in the fall. Stick with a trusted fave that feels seasonally appropriate (like an old-fashioned or a negroni), or try something fall-themed like a pumpkin spice espresso martini.
24. Go to a football game
It doesn’t matter if you’re a diehard football fan or you’re just there for the vibes, football games can be a fun social event for everyone. Whether you’re cheering on your local high school team or tailgating at your alma mater, the food, the cute outfits, and the overall energy can’t be beat.
25. Give your home autumn vibes
If you haven’t yet decorated for fall, you’ve still got plenty of time. Add some autumn vibes to your home by lighting fall candles, throwing cozy knits on your couch, and putting out accents like dried floral arrangements or pumpkin-inspired decor.
26. Go to a haunted house
If you love all things scary, haunted-housing has got to be on your list of things to do this fall. Gather up your bravest friends and head to a haunted house, corn maze, or hayrack ride. If you all make it through to the other side, I’d say you deserve some ice cream.
27. Join (or start) a book club
Cozying up with a good book is the perfect fall activity, but it’s even better when you have someone to chat about it with. Start a book club with your friends or look for a local book club you can join to meet other book lovers.
28. Participate in your neighborhood’s trick-or-treat night
You may be too old to trick-or-treat yourself, but you can still have fun passing out candy and checking out all the costumes. If you live in a neighborhood that participates in trick-or-trick night, go all out by donning a costume yourself, turning on some spooky music, and handing out treats.
29. Drink all the pumpkin coffee
Some of us have been drinking pumpkin coffee since August, so this is a judgment-free zone. Go ahead and add some pumpkin creamer to your at-home coffee, try the new seasonal Starbucks drinks, and savor all the sweetness of pumpkin spice season.
30. Host a football watch party
Watching the game at home is just as fun—if not more so—than actually going to the game. The best part about watching at home is, of course, the opportunity for comfy clothes and delicious snacks. Level up your watch party by turning it into a potluck, and have all of your friends bring their favorite game day snack.
31. Plan the perfect Halloween costume
Plan a throwback costume based on your favorite character from childhood, or lean into pop culture with your best Barbie or Beyoncé look. Whether you’re doing a solo Halloween look, a couples costume, or a group costume with friends, there are so many good options out there that you can start planning now.
32. Spend a Saturday morning at the farmer’s market
Fall is the prime time to get pumpkins, butternut squash, apples, mushrooms, corn, and more from your local market. Plus, it’s the best time of year for flowers like dahlias and sunflowers. Grab some to make a gorgeous fall arrangement for your kitchen table.
33. Host a dinner party
You never need an excuse to throw a dinner party, but fall provides plenty of occasions that are perfect for hosting. Plan a dinner party for Halloween or Thanksgiving, or make it into a fun theme night like a murder mystery party.
34. Change up your hair
The change in seasons is the perfect time to switch it up, so take this as your sign to try a new hair look for fall. Go for a new color like cowboy copper or honey blonde, or chop your locks into a lob.
35. Go back-to-school shopping
Not going back to school? You can still lean into that back-to-school feeling with a little fall wardrobe refresh. Take advantage of the new collections and the best sales, and buy yourself some new pieces for fall. That capsule wardrobe isn’t going to build itself.
36. Have a bonfire
Chilly autumn nights are perfect for bonfires. Head to a local park with firepits or build a bonfire in your own backyard so you can make s’mores, drink hot toddies or mulled wine, and cozy up by the fire with your friends.
37. Spend the day reading
There’s something so comforting about spending an autumn day curled up under cozy blankets with a good book. There are a lot of highly anticipated books coming out this fall that will be perfect for your next reading day.
38. Do a wine-tasting
It’s that time of year to swap your chilled glass of rosé for a rich glass of red. Wine tastings are a great way to try different wines and figure out which you like best. On top of that, spending the day at the winery is perfect for hanging with friends, eating charcuterie, and drinking great wines.
39. Try a restaurant you’ve been dreaming about
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to try that new spot, the time is now. Text your friends and make the reservation—it’ll be worth it. Plus, you could end up finding your new favorite restaurant.
40. Take yourself on a date
There’s no better day to take yourself out on a date than today. You can take yourself to dinner, go to a new coffee shop, or pick something from this list of things to do. Whatever you choose, a solo date is a perfect way to romanticize your life this fall and enjoy some quality time by yourself.
Emily Dumas, Contributing Writer
Emily is a Virginia-based content creator with over five years of experience creating content strategies for SaaS companies. Although she spends her days in the tech world, she has spent many years as a lifestyle writer for her personal site, as well as for several publications across the web.
Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
As a Lifestyle Staff Writer for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of home decor, delicious recipes, hobbies, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Instagram for beautiful homes to feature on the site.