The end of summer is bittersweet; many wish the season could last forever, while others yearn for the cozy season. Right in that sweet spot, however, is early fall, which brings a crispness to the air and colourful foliage across Vancouver. It’s these vibrant days ahead that have us secretly counting down to the start of the season, no matter how much we love summer.

Everything to know about the start of fall 2026

What is the first day of fall?

In 2026, the first official day of fall is Sept. 22, which falls on a Tuesday. The Farmers’ Almanac adds that the autumn equinox will occur at precisely the same moment worldwide: at 5:04 p.m. PDT (8:04 p.m. EDT).

What is the Harvest Moon?

A few days later, on Sept. 26, the Harvest Moon will light up the skies. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, this marks a turning point in the change of seasons, as September is a critical month for harvesting crops in the Northern Hemisphere.

Considered the last full moon before the autumn equinox, the Harvest Moon will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, reaching full illumination at 12:49 p.m. If the weather is clear, though, you may be able to catch the full Harvest Moon up to three days in advance!

What time will fall sunsets be?

Starting Sept. 22, the local sunset time in Vancouver will be 7:09 p.m., with the last 7 p.m. sunset of the year a few days later on Sept. 26, when the sun will set at 7:01 p.m.

According to Time and Date, the last 6 p.m. sunset of 2026 will fall on Oct. 26, inching towards 5 p.m. starting in November.

first day of fall 2026

Is B.C. still ‘falling back’ an hour in November?

The good news is that B.C. has moved to permanent daylight saving time (Pacific Time/UTC-7), which means those dreaded 4 p.m. sunsets are finally a thing of the past.

Gone are the days of changing your clocks. Instead, B.C. residents can anticipate the sun setting at 5:13 p.m. at the earliest, as opposed to an hour earlier.

That extra hour of evening daylight, of course, is borrowed from the morning. Instead of rising around 8 a.m. in December and January, the sunrise time will be pushed to 9 a.m. in southern regions like Vancouver and Victoria, and to 10 a.m. in northern regions of B.C.

So there’s definitely a trade-off, but hopefully this helps alleviate the rampant seasonal depression that typically hits the city every year.

Where are the best places to see fall colours in Vancouver?

This isn’t an exhaustive list by a long shot, but these are some of the most beloved and visited spots around town that show off their fall colours every year:

first day of fall 2026 vancouver
Shaughnessy neighbourhood via Isabelle Vauclair / Curiocity

Quintessential spots: 

  • Queen Elizabeth Park
  • Jericho Beach Park
  • Stanley Park (especially the Third Beach area!)
  • Deer Lake Park
  • Burnaby Mountain Park
  • Charleson Park (along False Creek)
  • John Hendry Park (Trout Lake)
  • VanDusen Botanical Garden
  • Vanier Park (By Kits Beach)
  • Any neighbourhood street in West Point Grey or Dunbar-Southlands

One of the most vibrant times of year is just around the corner, Vancouver.

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Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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