Every newcomer should know

First fall in Canada? Here are some things every newcomer should know

Fall in Canada is a cozy season characterized by cooling temperatures, changing leaf colours, beloved holidays and fun outdoors activities, every newcomers should know.

If you’re a newcomers to Canada, it presents the perfect opportunity to explore all that the country has to offer. So here are some things every newcomers should know to make the most of the season.

When does fall in Canada start?

While fall typically takes place from September to December, Canada has what’s widely regarded as the “first day of fail.” According to the National Research Council Canada, “fall starts the movement when the sun is directly over the equator, going from north to south: the autumnal equinox.”

In 2024, every newcomers should know that first day of fall begins on September 22.

what to expect during fall in Canada?

Shorter day and an end to Daylight Savings

As the season progresses, expect days to get short and night to get longer.

Fall also means the end of Daylight Saving Time. Every newcomers should know that’s the end of the eight-month long period when a lot of  Canadians set their clocks one hour ahead to make the most of daylight.

In 2024, Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3, which can mean an extra hour of sleep that night. However, this means the sun sets “earlier” in the following days.

Changing weather

As the transition to winter begins, the weather can get drastically cooler. How cool it gets varies from provinces to provinces. For example British Columbia is known for more milder and wetter weather while in the Northwest territories, temperature can get frigid

In many parts of Canada, temperature can change widely throughout the day, with colder mornings and evenings while afternoons might still be relatively hot. Layering can help (it’s called sweater weather for a reason) and fall jackets are recommended.

Since this is a time of transition, expect the weather to sometimes be volatile. It’s not uncommon to see snowfall as early as October all over the country. Some areas might also experienced hurricane, so keep an eye on that weather app.

Thins to do during fall in Canada

Enjoy fall foliage 

One of the best parts about fall is seeing the leaves change colour

There are many different place to experience the beauty of fail foliage, with hikes and treks in national parks being popular options.

Some famous places to see fall colours in Canada include Algonquin Park in Ontario, Parc nation du Mont-Tremblant in Montreal, and Stanley Park in Vancouver.

Some parks and provinces also have fall trackers to share updates of the changing leaf colours to help you make the most of the season.

Try fun fall activities

With a nip in the air, fall is the perfect time to try fun outdoors activities. Apart from hikes and treks to see fall foliage, farms across the country have fun events for families and friends. Corn mazes, hayrides, apple picking, and pumpkin picking are some example of must-do fall activities in Canada. Renting out a cottage in a rural area to spend time with loved ones is also popular.

Savour fall flavours 

Autumn is the season for comforting food. Pumpkin and apple pies are especially popular this time of the year while many coffee shops and bakeries have limited-time pumpkins spiced pastries and drinks.

Festival that take place during fall in Canada

Halloween 

Halloween falls an October 31 every year, and is a widely celebrated and beloved holidays in Canada. In the weeks leading up this day, expect to find activities celebrating all things spooky – from scary movie marathons to jack-o-lantern craving competitions everywhere. Many people choose to decorate their homes and laws with costumes, pumpkins and other spooky Halloween decorations. On the day of Halloween, trick-or-treating is a popular activity where children dress up in costumes and collects candy for their neighbours by going door to door. For adults, Halloween parties (which usually include dressing up in a costume) and house are great ways to embrace the day.

Thanksgiving 

Like the U.S, Canada also celebrates thanksgiving- although there are some big difference. To begin with, Canadian Thanksgiving takes place on the second Monday of October – almost a month and a half friend over good food. A meal with turkey, stuffing and vegetables is traditional, although many have their own takes on the meal. This year, Thanksgiving will take place in Canada in October 14.

Black Friday 

Another popular U.S day that has gained popularity in Canada Black is traditionally held the first Friday after Thanksgiving in the U.S.

It is meant to mark the beginning of the holiday seasons, with retailers everywhere offering giant sales and discount to make the holiday shopping for loved ones easier. In Canada, it is held around the same time although many retailers have sales and discounts starting a week or two beforehand.

Cyber Monday

This is the first Monday after the Black Friday, and it focus on online sales and discounts so that everyone can enjoy deals from the comforts of their own homes. So, if you have any purchase coming up – from electronics to households appliances to furniture – it might be worth waiting to see the latest deals.