The Fall Equinox of 2026: When Astronomical Fall Begins and Folk Traditions
On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the fall equinox will occur—the main astronomical event of September. At this very moment, astronomical fall will begin in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes Ukraine, while spring will begin in the Southern Hemisphere.
The autumnal equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator in its apparent annual motion from the northern to the southern hemisphere of the sky.
In 2026, this will occur in Kyiv on September 23 at 3:05 a.m. local time.
During the equinox, the length of day and night becomes approximately equal, which is where the name of this phenomenon comes from. However, it is incorrect to say that they are exactly equal for all points on Earth: the length of daylight is influenced, in particular, by atmospheric refraction and the specifics of determining the times of sunrise and sunset.
That is why, in Kyiv on September 23, daylight hours will last about 12 hours and 9 minutes, rather than exactly 12 hours.
According to the astronomical calendar, the September equinox marks the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. In Ukraine, this signifies the transition from astronomical summer to astronomical fall.
This year, the autumnal equinox will coincide with a full moon, traditionally known as the “Harvest Moon.”
In 2026, the full moon will occur on September 26 at 7:49 p.m. Kyiv time, that is, three days after the equinox.
The name “Harvest Moon” is associated with the traditional fall harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere. Across various cultures, the bright full moon has come to symbolize the end of the agricultural season, abundance, and gratitude for the earth’s bounty.
The “Harvest Moon” has also long been a part of popular culture. Its name has inspired artists to create songs, films, and other works. One notable example is Neil Young’s famous song “Harvest Moon.”
The autumn equinox is marked by folk customs, rituals, and harvest festivals in various countries.
One well-known example is the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese communities. It is associated with the full moon and traditions of giving thanks for the harvest.
The fall season was also significant for the Slavic peoples. In folk traditions, the end of the harvest was marked by giving thanks for the earth’s bounty and preparing for the cold season.
In ancient Slavic beliefs, the autumn cycle was also associated with the figure of Ovsyen, who was believed to be the distributor of the earth’s gifts. During ceremonial rites in his honor, ritual breads and loaves were often baked.
After the autumn equinox, daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere will gradually shorten, while nights will grow longer.
In Kyiv on September 23, daylight hours will last about 12 hours and 8–9 minutes, and over the next few days, they will shorten by approximately a few minutes each day.
The 2026 autumn equinox will mark the astronomical boundary between summer and fall, and as early as September 26, Ukrainians will be able to observe a full moon—the “Harvest Moon.”
As a reminder, on September 22, 2026, people with various names celebrate their name day. On this day, you can congratulate Veniamin, Makar, Mykola, Oleksandr, Petro, Yakym, Oleksii, Opanas, Vasyl, Hryhorii, Dmytro, Zakhar, Yosyp, Mykyta, Serhiy, Khariton, as well as Paraska and Anna. Here’s what each name means and how to congratulate those celebrating their name day.
