Official dates confirmed for fall’s arrival and the 2026 time change in the United States

Autumn will officially begin in the United States on Sept. 22, 2026, according to the National Weather Service. The equinox will occur simultaneously across the country, although the exact local time will differ by time zone.

The equinox marks the moment when Earth’s axis is not tilted predominantly toward or away from the Sun. The Sun crosses the celestial equator, and both hemispheres receive a similar amount of sunlight. The event will occur at 8:05 p.m. Eastern time, 7:05 p.m. Central time, 6:05 p.m. Mountain time and 5:05 p.m. Pacific time.

Daylight saving time will end on the first Sunday of November, Nov. 1, 2026. At 2 a.m. in each applicable time zone, clocks will move back to 1 a.m. The change will bring earlier sunrises and sunsets compared with the previous day, giving residents more morning light and less daylight in the afternoon.

Forty-eight states apply the rule in full, while Hawaii, Arizona and U.S. overseas territories are exceptions. Arizona observes the system only in part. Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands keep their standard time throughout the year. The change restores the local standard time established under federal law, a difference travelers and businesses operating across state lines need to consider.