Expand / Collapse search
☰

When is the first day of fall in Virginia? When foliage could start changing in 2026

By
FOX 5 DC
Virginia
Published August 22, 2026 11:41 AM EDT
Published August 22, 2026 11:41 AM EDT
article

Cumru Twp, PA - October 27: Orange and red autumn fall foliage leaves on trees along Philadelphia Ave in Cumru Township change colors Wednesday morning October 27, 2021. (Photo by Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)

The Brief

    • The astronomical first day of fall arrives in Virginia on Sept. 22.
    • Virginia’s highest mountain areas are typically the first to see changing leaves.
    • Peak color moves eastward through the fall, reaching coastal communities last.

VIRGINIA - Summer may still be in full swing, but Virginia’s fall foliage season is already on the horizon, with the first color expected to emerge in the state’s highest elevations before spreading eastward.

When is the first day of fall in Virginia?

What we know:

The autumnal equinox, which marks the astronomical start of fall, arrives at 8:05 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.

Meteorological fall, used by weather observers to group seasons into full months, begins Sept. 1.

When will leaves start changing in Virginia?

Virginia Tourism says the first signs of fall color typically appear in the highest mountains of Southwest Virginia and the Alleghenies in early to mid-October.

The color then moves through the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia’s mountain regions, where peak foliage is typically expected in October. Central Virginia, including Northern Virginia, generally sees its best color in mid to late October.

Coastal Virginia is usually the last part of the state to turn, with prime foliage viewing extending from late October into early November.

Aerial of Autumn Leaves in Richmond, Virginia (Photo: Tyler Thrasher)

Where to watch for peak foliage

What's next:

Virginia State Parks tracks fall color across the commonwealth through its foliage report during the season.

For early color, the state highlights Southwest Virginia, including areas near Mount Rogers. As the season moves along, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are among the places where visitors can catch the changing leaves.

What to look forward to this fall

What you can do:

Fall brings cooler days for hikes, scenic drives and weekends outdoors. The season also stretches long enough in Virginia that travelers can follow the foliage from the mountains to the coast over several weeks.

The Source: This article was written using information from the U.S. Naval Observatory, Virginia State Parks and Virginia Tourism.

Virginia