Exploring Fall Holidays in the United States

It's that time of year when crisp autumn air begins to sweep through the country, and cafes serve their signature pumpkin spice drink. Fall has something for everyone to enjoy. The feeling of your favorite sweater? The taste of pumpkin spice or fresh apple cider on a chilly day? Leaves crunching under your feet? 

This magical season is also packed with U.S. holidays for you to celebrate with your exchange student. Make this fall extra special by sharing some of these traditions with them and offering them a unique glimpse into U.S. culture. All while spending extra quality time together! As their home away from home, you get to be the one to share this spooky and heartwarming season together.

Labor Day (First Monday in September)

Labor Day is a celebration of American workers' social and economic achievements. It began in the late 19th century and became an official federal holiday in 1894 with the rise in trade unions and labor movements.

Ways to celebrate with your exchange student:

• Host a barbecue to celebrate!
• Attend a Labor Day parade in your local area.

Indigenous People's Day (Second Monday in October)

Indigenous People's Day is a newer holiday meant to recognize the painful history Indigenous people have faced and to celebrate their rich history, culture, and communities. It began as a movement to protest Columbus Day and the harm he and his crew inflicted on Indigenous peoples. It is now celebrated as a way to honor Indigenous cultures, recognize the injustices they have faced throughout history, and celebrate their resilience.

Ways to celebrate with your exchange student:

• Attend a parade or a celebration hosted by an Indigenous organization.
• Learn about Indigenous cultures by reading books by Indigenous authors, watching Indigenous movies, or listening to podcasts or radio programs highlighting Indigenous voices.
• Learn about Indigenous traditions and foods. You can try some of these recipes with your exchange student!
• Visit a museum to learn more about indigenous culture and history.

Halloween (October 31st)

Halloween is one of the most iconic fall holidays in the U.S. when people dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, and go trick-or-treating around their neighborhoods. It originates from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of the summer when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. 

Ways to celebrate with your exchange student:

• Go trick-or-treating!
• Host or attend a costume party.
• Watch classic Halloween movies or host a spooky movie marathon.
• Bake themed treats like pumpkin pies, ghost or pumpkin-shaped cookies, apple crisp.
• Visit a haunted house.
• Visit a pumpkin patch and take fall family photos together to remember each other.

Veteran's Day (November 11th)

Veteran's Day is a holiday dedicated to honoring those who have served in the U.S. military and appreciating their sacrifices for their country. It was initially set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I.

Ways to celebrate with your exchange student:

• Attend a Veteran's Day parade or event!
• Teach them about the history of the U.S. military and its impact on American culture.

Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November) 

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrating gratitude, family, and the harvest season. Although it has a complicated history, the origins date back to the 1600s when Europeans and Native Americans would celebrate the harvest with a huge feast. That's why Thanksgiving dinner often consists of indigenous foods to the Americas, including turkey, squash, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

Today, Thanksgiving is a day for family and friends to come together, practice gratitude, and enjoy a traditional meal together. 

Ways to celebrate with your exchange student:

• Host a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends.
• Share the history and its focus on gratitude, sharing things you're grateful for.
• Cook traditional Thanksgiving foods together!

Celebrating and teaching your exchange student about these fall holidays and traditions will give them a deeper understanding of American culture and an opportunity to build closer bonds with you and your family.

Fall in the U.S. also brings many other seasonal traditions you can enjoy with your exchange student. Taking them apple picking, to a fall festival, to a corn maze, or for a hayride is sure to make them fall in love with fall in the U.S.!