When does Fall Start (and End) in 2026? Know When Autumn Starts in the US

When does fall start? Many people in the US love fall, or autumn, but pin pointing the exact start date can be confusing. Is it September 1st or a later astronomical date? 

According to astronomical observations the autumnal equinox marks the official start of the fall season. And historically September 22nd and 23rd are the most common dates for the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. 

This article provides the exact dates for when fall starts and ends in the US in 2026 and breaks down both official astronomical and meteorological definitions so you can prepare for crisp weather, leaf peeping, and seasonal traditions.

When does Fall start in the United States and across the World?

The autumnal equinox marks the beginning of fall. This is the exact moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. 

In the Northern Hemisphere this event marks the official change from summer to fall. And in the Southern Hemisphere it marks the change from winter to spring.

The first day of fall in the US and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere this year is Tuesday September 22, 2026. 

Astronomical calculations from the U.S. Naval Observatory confirm that the exact time of the autumnal equinox in 2026 occurs at 8:05 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

This date shifts slightly each year between September 22 and September 23 due to Earth's orbital timeline. It is a key celestial event that determines changes in daylight hours and seasonal climate patterns.

Today marks the first day of Meteorological Fall, but it’s definitely going to still feel like Summer for a while🥵. Here is how Autumn averages out for the Ohio Valley. pic.twitter.com/fWmNwKRApP

— Jeff Oechslein (@JeffWTOV9) September 1, 2026

List of Fall Months in the USA in 2026

The astronomical start of fall is determined by the autumnal equinox. But meteorologists rely on a standardised calendar. For meteorological record keeping in the USA and across the Northern Hemisphere autumn runs across three full calendar months.  It ensure accurate year-over-year data comparison for Americans. 

When does Fall End in the US and around the World? 

Just as the autumnal equinox marks the start of fall, the winter solstice marks its official end. The word solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, which means sun stopping. 

This is the moment when the sun's path in the sky is at its southernmost point. It's also the day with the fewest hours of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.

In 2026, fall ends on Sunday, December 21 with the winter solstice. This marks the beginning of the winter season. But it mainly depends on where you are in the US. Meaning the exact time of the winter solstice will be different.