31 Issues to Do in October to Have fun the Season

I like to think about September as a smooth begin to fall. When the primary of the month hits, our cravings orient towards all issues cozy: blankets, socks, heat drinks, and actions to assist us take advantage of the transition indoors. However October? She’s fall in full bloom. By the point the month rolls round, the air is crisp, the leaves have turned, and the rhythm of every day life feels each steadier and cozier. In any case, I’m so glad I dwell in a world the place there are Octobers. Aren’t all of us?

October is the month for soup simmering on the range, candles burning in any respect hours, and sweaters pulled out of storage. It’s additionally when every part appears to hurry up—faculty in full swing, the vacations on the horizon—which is strictly why I really like making an intentional listing of issues to do in October. Consider it much less as a to-do, and extra as a mild invitation to pause, savor, and totally expertise this season.

Featured picture from our interview with Sophie Collins by Christie Graham.

Small Reminders for an Inspiring October

That can assist you lean into October, we’re weaving in a couple of extras this month—like a journal immediate for reflection, a favourite learn from our Substack, and certainly one of our editors’ seasonal picks. Mild reminders to decelerate, discover inspiration, and produce a bit of magnificence into the on a regular basis.

A mild nudge: What’s one ritual you would add to your October evenings that may make them really feel extra restorative?

From Respiratory Area: In “Why Some Individuals Appear Fortunate”, Camille unpacks how discernment, presence, and openness usually get mistaken for luck—and the way noticing the small, surprising moments can shift how we dwell.

Editor’s Choose: “I couldn’t be extra excited for soups, chilis and casseroles this fall, and I can’t wait to get much more use out of my Dutch oven! I really like mine from Sur La Desk, it’s a workhorse that doesn’t break the financial institution. I additionally make home made bread in it each week—I’d be misplaced with out it!” – Kristen Garaffo, Design Editor

31 Issues to Do in October to Have fun the Season

Forward, we’re sharing our favourite issues to do in October that can assist you dwell this month to the fullest. Seize your favourite sweater and a mug of one thing heat—issues are about to get cozy.

October 1-5

1. Deal with your self to a comfy fall candle. Is there a greater season for candles? We expect not. I’m at present obsessive about Voluspa’s Spiced Pumpkin Latte (it’s a step up from the fundamental, ubiquitous scent) and the Blonde Hinoki scent from P.F. Candle Co.

2. Do a fall pores and skin reset. Cooler climate requires additional care. A fall skincare refresh doesn’t need to be sophisticated—you’re 9 straightforward, however luxurious steps away out of your best-ever fall pores and skin.

3. Transition your breakfast for fall. Ayurveda teaches us to lean into grounding, warming meals when temps drop. Strive pumpkin in a single day oats or a bowl of kitchari for a comfy, nourishing begin.

4. Go apple selecting and whip up a batch of apple cider. Apple season peaks early, so make this a first-week precedence. When you’re dwelling along with your haul, simmer a pot of home made cider on the range—your entire home will odor like fall.

5. Shock a neighbor with some baked items. Pumpkin spice cookies, apple crisp, or perhaps a batch of muffins—seasonal treats are such a candy strategy to unfold a bit of October pleasure.

October 6-12

6. Change up your telephone and pc backgrounds. A small change that makes a giant distinction. Choose a picture that feels aligned with the way you need October to feel and appear—or create a imaginative and prescient board on Canva that sparks pleasure everytime you open your laptop computer.

7. Deck out your entrance porch with fall decor. Pumpkins piled excessive are all the time a sure, however you don’t must cease there. Layer in lanterns, mums, and a comfy throw for an entryway that feels heat and seasonal with out attempting too arduous.

8. Begin a ebook membership with your mates. Being cozy doesn’t need to be a solo exercise. Collect your girlfriends, open a bottle of wine, and dive into certainly one of fall’s most-anticipated books. Bonus: pair it with a seasonal grazing board.

9. Heat up your own home with some new fall throws. There’s nothing higher than curling up beneath a blanket when the temps dip. Goal (as all the time) has our favourite choices.

10. Bake pumpkin bread (the finest one). There are one million recipes, however we examined till we discovered our perpetually favourite. Save Camille’s pumpkin loaf recipe—it’s a basic you’ll come again to each October.

11. Host a chili cook-off. Our go-to? Candy potato and black bean chili—vegetarian-friendly and all the time a success. Invite associates to convey their very own variations for an off-the-cuff cook-off, and crown a winner on the finish of the evening.

12. Go for a fall hike with associates. Layer up, get outdoors, and take within the leaves whereas they’re at their peak. Plan an early-morning path stroll with associates, and reward yourselves with cider and pastries afterward.

October 13-19

13. Cook dinner a seasonal dinner. Let native produce information your menu. Suppose cozy pasta dishes or a easy roast hen with fall veggies. For inspo, try our favourite fall sheet pan recipes—they’re good for market-to-table cooking.

14. Spend money on a comfy fall wardrobe. Suppose staples you’ll attain for all season: cozy knits, a basic trench, and boots that work for each errands and evenings out. Our fall capsule wardrobe is a superb place to start out.

15. Prepare for a 5K. Even in case you’re not a runner, signing up for an area race is such a enjoyable approach to take in the crisp fall air. Apps like Sofa to 5K make the method really feel approachable (and dare we are saying… satisfying?).

16. DIY an unbelievable Halloween costume. Skip the last-minute scramble. Pull inspiration from our favourite Halloween costumes and get artistic with what you have already got in your closet.

17. Spend a weekend away at a cabin within the woods. There’s nothing dreamier than waking as much as fall foliage outdoors your window. Whether or not it’s a tiny home a couple of hours away or a cabin within the woods, a fast journey is the perfect reset.

18. Go vintage procuring. Spend a Saturday wandering native retailers with a fall drink in hand. You’ll virtually all the time depart with one thing surprising (and completely charming).

19. Have a fall film marathon. Pile on the blankets and work by way of your must-watch listing. For those who want inspiration, bookmark our listing of the perfect motion pictures to stream this fall and begin checking them off.

October 20-26

20. Make s’mores at dwelling. Who says you want a campfire? Layer graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows in a skillet and bake till bubbly. Bonus factors in case you combine in seasonal flavors—pumpkin spice chocolate, anybody?

21. Make a fall playlist. Some songs simply sound like autumn. For me, it’s Gregory Alan Isakov, José González, and Fleet Foxes. Press play everytime you wish to really feel instantly cozy.

22. Take up a knitting or crochet venture. Few issues really feel extra satisfying than working along with your palms because the climate cools. Begin with a newbie equipment, be a part of an area class, or just carve out time to make progress on a half-finished venture.

23. Have a weekly strolling date. It’s such a straightforward strategy to join with a good friend whereas getting contemporary air. Hold it easy: choose a neighborhood loop, convey a heat drink, and let the dialog unfold.

24. Plan a fall date. Swap dinner-and-a-movie for one thing seasonal. Strive apple selecting, cooking collectively, or working by way of our listing of cozy fall date concepts.

25. Spend a complete morning studying. As a substitute of compressing in a couple of pages earlier than mattress, block out a weekend morning only for books. Pair it with tea or espresso and let your self linger longer than typical.

26. Tailgate at a soccer recreation. Bundle up, pack a cooler, and cheer in your favourite staff. Truthfully, the snacks may simply be the perfect half.

October 27-31

27. Invite associates over for a bonfire. There’s nothing like a night across the hearth with heat drinks and s’mores. Make it a potluck to maintain issues straightforward.

28. Make a fall-scented simmer pot. Fill your house with the odor of autumn by simmering apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices on the range. It’s the best strategy to make a cold day really feel heat.

29. Do a puzzle evening. Collect your companion, household, or roommates for a night of puzzling. Placed on a fall playlist, pour mugs of cider, and let the sluggish rhythm of puzzling develop into its personal type of ritual.

30. Get forward on vacation playing cards. Earlier than the season will get too busy, order stationery and schedule a date for household images. Future you can be grateful for the pinnacle begin.

31. Carve pumpkins (and roast the seeds). Make an evening of it: carve pumpkins with associates, then season and toast the seeds within the oven. Salty, crunchy, and the proper Halloween snack.

This submit was final up to date on October 1, 2025, to incorporate new insights.