"Although, technically, all four seasons are represented throughout the series, Gilmore Girls is undoubtedly a fall show. This is obviously due in part to the fact that many of the most iconic episodes take place during the fall. Who could forget the season 1 moment where Rory runs through the pumpkin-strewn town square after kissing Dean for the first time, and then she and Lane gab all about it while wearing pilgrim costumes? The show also gives off major back-to-school energy, thanks to all the scenes of Rory at Chilton and Yale. But even the episodes that aren’t set during the autumn months have that cozy, nostalgic vibe that just feels like fall.
It’s the ultimate comfort watch, and every year, at the first hint of an autumn chill in the air, I like to plop down in front of the TV and dive back into the world of Stars Hollow. But this fall, I’m going beyond my annual rewatch and finding ways to embrace those cozy Gilmore Girls vibes IRL. Here’s exactly how to have yourself a Gilmore Girls fall:
1. Host a movie night
Movie night in the Gilmore household is a sacred ritual. There are always several rented movies in the lineup, copious amounts of snacks, and, as Lorelai once tells Luke, “no talking during the movie, no exceptions” (they almost always talk throughout the entire movie). To romanticize your next night in the Gilmore way, host a movie night complete with comfy blankets, a spread of junk food on the coffee table, and classic movies like Casablanca and Pippi Longstocking.
2. Get back into reading
Rory famously brings a book with her wherever she goes, but if it’s been a while since you last cracked open a book, fall is the perfect time to get back into it. Head to your local bookstore or library and pick out a new release that has you excited or something cozy you can curl up with. For peak Gilmore Girls nostalgia, try tackling Rory’s actual reading list from the show and see how far you get. It might take you a while to get through all 500+ books mentioned in the series, but you’ll have plenty of material on your TBR list all season long.
3. Go antiquing
Kim’s Antiques is an iconic location in the show, and I personally would love wandering around the overstuffed rooms and haggling with Mrs. Kim. Whether or not you live in a small New England town, there are bound to be some antique shops near you, and I can’t think of a better fall weekend activity. Embrace your inner Emily Gilmore, don a matching set and some sneakers, and go hunting for some treasures to bring home.
4. Perfect your coffee order
We can’t all guzzle black coffee at all hours of the day and night like the Gilmores can. If your taste in coffee is a little more refined, but you haven’t yet found your ideal coffee order, make it your mission this fall to find your perfect cup of coffee. Whether you’re ordering at a coffee shop or making a cup at home, experiment with different coffee roasts, syrups, creamers, and other mix-ins to create your perfect cup.
5. Channel Lorelai and Rory in your fall outfits
There are several aspects of Gilmore Girls that haven’t necessarily aged well (namely, the almost complete lack of diversity and Rory’s problematic relationship behavior), but much of their wardrobe holds up 20 years later. Rory’s chunky knit sweaters, Lorelai’s enviable assortment of coats, and the graphic tees they both rock on occasion are all pieces I would gladly wear in 2024. So, if you’re on the hunt for some style inspo this fall, look no further.
6. Chat with a friend on your walks
Some of my favorite scenes are the ones where Lorelai and Rory are simply walking through Stars Hollow and having one of their signature fast-paced, back-and-forth conversations. You might not live in a town small enough to walk from your house to your favorite breakfast spot to work, but you can channel that same energy by turning your usual walks into yap sessions. Invite a friend to come with you next time or chat on the phone as you get your steps in. It’ll turn something you’re going to do anyway into an opportunity for some much-needed catching up.
7. Tailgate for a football game
One of my all-time favorite episodes is the one where the whole Gilmore clan tailgates for the Yale vs. Harvard game. Rory in her chunky turtleneck sweater, Emily and Richard decked out in full Yale regalia, Lorelai causing drama by calling Pennilyn Lott her “almost mommy”—it’s peak Gilmore Girls if you ask me. And as this episode proves, you don’t have to be a football fan to have fun tailgating. Head to your alma mater (or a local college stadium) dressed in your sportiest gear and grill with friends before the game. If you can’t hire a personal chef and waitstaff to prepare a full catering spread à la Emily and Richard, keep it simple by packing a fun flask and a bag of Fig Newtons.
8. Expand your takeout repertoire
Lorelai’s seemingly unlimited budget for takeout is one of those things that will never quite make sense about the show, but you’ve got to admire her and Rory’s ability to put away enough food to feed a family of six. If your usual takeout order is starting to feel boring, channel their takeout-ordering prowess and try something new. Order one of every entrée on the menu and find a new favorite, or try a new place you haven’t ordered from before. Even if it amounts to a flop akin to International Grab Bag Night at Al’s Pancake World, trying something new is half the fun.
9. Text an ex
If there’s one thing both Lorelai and Rory are pros at, it’s falling back in with an ex when the situation is better left alone (ahem, like when said ex is literally married to someone else). I’m not suggesting you start that level of drama, but if there’s someone from your past who’s still on your mind (and single), why not take this fall to reconnect? At the very least, you can see what they’re up to these days, or—best case scenario—you might rekindle a friendship or something more.
10. Find a local festival near you
One thing about Lorelai and Rory is they never miss a town event. From the Bid On A Basket fundraiser in early spring to the Autumn Festival to the snowman-building contest, Stars Hollow has no shortage of seasonal festivities, and the Gilmore girls are willing participants in all of them. Even if your town doesn’t share Stars Hollow-level excitement for every holiday, there are bound to be some local events or festivals happening around you this fall. Whether it’s a simple farmers market or a full-on fall festival, find something fun and festive to do in your community this season.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.