I like to think of September as a soft start to fall. When the beginning of the month rolls around, our cravings turn to all things cozy: blankets, socks, hot drinks, and activities to help us make the most of the transition indoors. But what about October? She fully embraces all the perfect things about this season. The temperatures have officially cooled down and we’re no longer drinking ice-cold PSLs – it’s all about being as warm and cozy as possible. So when it comes to things to do in October, buckle up. We had a lot of fall fun.
Pumpkin is plentiful in our house and in everything we bake as we prepare for the upcoming spooky season. With crisp mornings and vibrant foliage, we are enjoying all that nature has to offer. But with school in full swing and the holidays right around the corner, October tends to fly by. That’s why, our list of things to do in October is designed to help you slow down while still taking advantage of all the excitement and energy this month brings.
Featured image from Christie Graham’s interview with Sophie Collins.
31 things to do in October
This year, we want to enjoy the little joys of the month without letting the season slip away. Ahead, we’re sharing our favorite things to do in October to help you make the most of this month. Bring your favorite sweater and a cup of something warm—it’s all about getting cozy.
October 1-6
1. Light yourself a cozy fall candle. Is there a better season for candles? We think not. Browse our favorite fall candles—from cedar and sandalwood to, of course, the perfect pumpkin spice jar.
2. Do a fall skin reset. Prepare your skin for the cooler weather to come. You can achieve your best fall skin ever in just nine easy but luxurious steps.
3. Transform breakfast into fall. Ayurveda tells us that when the temperatures start to drop, we should eat more grounding, hot dishes. I love a bowl of kitchari in the morning to promote detox, or my favorite pumpkin spice oatmeal.
4. Switch the background of mobile phone and computer. Browse Pinterest for backgrounds that resonate and remind you of everything you want to cultivate this season. Or, create a vision board on Canva to represent your goals.
5. Surprise your neighbors with some baked goods. Treats are one of our favorite ways to let loved ones know we’re thinking of them. These pumpkin spice cookies are the ideal seasonal dessert.
6. Go apple picking and whip up a batch of cider. Is there anything more perfect for fall than apple picking? Depending on where you live, you’ll want to prioritize this early in the month, as apple season is usually between mid-September and early October. Once you’ve gathered all the apples, stir up some homemade cider in the slow cooker or on the stove. your whole house will smell amazing.
October 7-13
7. Decorate your front porch with fall decorations. Obviously, this time of year, to increase our curb appeal, we all love stacking pumpkins. But you can make the season even more complete by adding a large outdoor storm lantern.
8. Make the best pumpkin bread ever. We found the winner.
9. Make your house cozy with some new fall throws. Target has a lot of favorites, and we’re obsessed with this cotton oversized throw from Pom Pom.
10. Start a book club with your friends. Comfort doesn’t have to be a solitary activity! Gather your girlfriends, make a fall grazing board, and start flipping through the most anticipated fall books.
11. Host a chili cook-off. This sweet potato and black bean chili is vegetarian friendly and is always a go-to for us. Invite friends over to offer up their favorite chili recipes and do a taste test to determine which one is best.
12. Go on a fall hike with friends. While I love hiking in the summer, there’s nothing better than throwing on a few light layers and heading out with friends to see the beautiful fall foliage. Choose a weekend morning to go early and get together at the end to enjoy some fall treats.
13. Visit a local farmers market and cook a seasonal dinner. Is there anything better than having seasonal ingredients cooking in the kitchen? Read about all the seasonal finds this fall and use your weekend mornings to shop for all the fresh stuff. When it’s time to cook, any of these fall pasta recipes are the ultimate comfort meal. We also love this whole roasted chicken. To keep it seasonal, swap out the cherry tomatoes for diced sweet potatoes.
October 14-20
14. Invest in a cozy fall wardrobe. When it comes to fall dressing, this season is all about staple pieces. Sweaters, trench coats, and the perfect boots—try these fall-wear favorites.
15. Train for a 5K. Even if you don’t have aspirations of becoming a marathon runner, you can still get outside and enjoy a faster-than-usual pace. Train with a friend or partner and sign up for a local 5K race. Apps like Nike Run Club and Couch to 5k are great ways to find support throughout your journey.
16. DIY an incredible Halloween costume. We’ve got all the Halloween costume inspiration you could ever need.
17. Make s’mores at home. No campfire needed! Follow our tips for making delicious s’mores in the oven.
18. Spend a weekend at a cabin in the woods. This is the most amazing way to soak up fall foliage. Find cabins on Airbnb or book through sites like Getaway, where you can find cabins within a few hours of most cities in the country.
19. Go antique shopping. And support some great small businesses in the process. Grab a fall drink with friends in the morning, then take a walk around town and visit antique shops in your area. The best part? You always end up with unexpected results, but absolutely perfect results.
20. Have a fall movie marathon. From classics to comedies and everything in between, these are the best movies coming out this fall.
October 21-27
21. Make a fall playlist. There are some songs that perfectly evoke memories of fall. For me, that’s Gregory Alan Isakov, Andrew Bird, and Fleet Foxes. Choose your favorite fall songs and build a playlist containing them all. Whenever you want to feel instantly comfortable, press play.
22. Work on a knitting or crocheting project. Besides reading, knitting and crocheting are my favorite fall activities. Get some tips on YouTube or buy a starter kit that includes everything you need to teach yourself. Plus, local yarn shops almost always offer classes and knitting circles so you can learn from the pros.
23. Have a weekly walking date. A girlfriend and I meet up every week for walks around our neighborhood. It’s the perfect way to catch up on each other’s lives and share what’s going on during the week. Besides, isn’t walking the perfect form of exercise?
24. Plan a fall date. As we say, ’tis the season to get cozy. No one does this more than us, so try one of these cute and cozy fall date ideas and make the most of the season together.
25. Invite friends over a campfire. Along with fall picnics, campfires are one of our favorite ways to gather with friends in the fall. Make a light meal, serve some hot drinks, and make s’mores together at the end.
26. Spend an entire morning reading. Although I love reading, it seems like the only time during the week I have is before bed. Even so, after I read a few pages, my eyes started closing on their own. Spend all Saturday or Sunday morning reading. Grab a blanket, grab a cup of tea, get cozy on the couch and get ready to lose yourself in some new reading.
27. Tailgating a football game. Whether it’s high school, college or the pros, I think tailgating is the best part of any football matchup. Coordinate dishes with friends, throw on a sweater and blanket, and cheer for the home team!
October 28-31
28. Make an Autumn Fragrance Stew Pot. This is the easiest way to naturally scent your home. Collect cinnamon sticks, apple slices, cloves—anything you want to have floating around your home. Browse these saucepan ideas for inspiration.
29. Do a puzzle with your partner, family, or roommates. Gather everyone in the house for a mind-bending night. Could this fall puzzle be more appropriate for the occasion? Break out the fall snacks (courtesy of Trader Joe’s, of course), grab a few warm drinks, and enjoy a cozy October night.
30. Start planning your holiday cards. While we love enjoying the moment and soaking up all of October’s events, now is the perfect time to start planning holiday cards. Find the date for the photo shoot, buy stationery, and write down the addresses of everyone you want to send cards to this year.
31. Cut a pumpkin and toast the seeds. Carve the pumpkin overnight and roast the seeds in the oven. We love these easy roasted pumpkin seeds recipes to satisfy every fall craving.
