Are you sad because summer has ended? Don’t feel down. There are many exciting things to look forward to in fall!

First of all, the cooler weather makes it a great time to enjoy the beauty of nature. All around you, you will see trees and bushes changing colour. They will turn into different shades of red, orange, brown, and bright yellow. This is such a beautiful sight that many people take time to enjoy it. This is known as “leaf-peeping.” It means going to different places to look at (and take pictures of) the leaves in the fall season. This activity is so popular that there are leaf-peeping tours in Canada and the US.

There are more things to look forward to in fall. Let’s continue with the list:

Fall harvest

Did you start a garden this summer? Well then, it’s time to reap your rewards! Your fall harvest may include apples, corn, squashes, beets, Brussels sprouts and many others. If you are not into gardening, you can still enjoy fruits and vegetables in season by getting them at farmer’s markets or at groceries. Use them for making comfort food like soups and stews, as well as pies and puddings. These goodies are perfect for the cold weather.

Did you know that in the days before electricity, farmers relied on the moon at harvest time? Farmers waited for the full moon that occurred in September for the extra light. This allowed them to work into the night to harvest crops. This is why the full moon that happens on fall equinox is called the harvest moon.

Aurora borealis

The best time to catch the northern lights is in the fall. Why? Because the longest hours of darkness in Canada start this season. And did you know that Manitoba is one of the best places to see an aurora? Churchill is always mentioned but you might be able to catch this natural wonder on a clear night in Winnipeg.
 

Image by Robert Linsdell from Flickr, CC-BY.

Fall camping

You don’t have to start hibernating in your room just because summer is over. Fall camping is a unique experience that will allow you to go leaf peeping up close (incidentally, do you know why leaves change colour in the fall?) and if you’re lucky, may even see an aurora. In the evenings, make a bonfire to stay warm and cuddle up with someone. Complete the experience with some s’mores and hot chocolate. Go to Manitoba Parks to check fall camping schedules and to reserve your spot.

Holidays

There are five holidays in Manitoba in the fall. We look forward to: Labour day on the 1st Monday of September, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, Remembrance Day on November 11, and Halloween on October 31. These occasions are great opportunities for you to celebrate with your family and the community, and get to know Canada even more.

Fall festivals

Festival season is never over in Manitoba. The province has about 15 festivals in September alone. This includes ManyFest, Manitoba Dragon Boat Festival. and the Manitoba Fibre Festival in Winnipeg; Honey, Garlic and Maple Syrup Festival in Pembina Valley; Harvest Moon Festival in Clearwater; and Teulon Pumpkinfest in Manitoba’s Interlake region. So enjoy nature’s fall bounty or take a road trip or two with your family before winter begins.

No more bugs!

If you were pestered by mosquitos, wasps, ladybugs or even worms in summer, you could now go and enjoy the outdoors pest-free! The colder weather pushes out most insects to migrate or hibernate.

DST ends

You get back an hour of sleep in November! DST or Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on November 3 this year (2024). Remember to set your clocks accordingly to avoid missing appointments or getting confused. Want to know more about DST? Read: What is Daylight Saving Time?
 
Article updated August 9, 2024.
 
Sources: 10 facts about the fall season, CBC News; Where to see the best and brightest fall foliage in Canada, Cheryl Santa Maria, The Weather Network; All about fall harvest vegetables, Unlock Food.ca; and Festivals in Manitoba in September, To do Canada. All retrieved August 30, 2018.