Autumn is in the air - bucket list 2026

A cosy moodboard for inspo. Some photos by me, others from Pinterest and Unsplash

Autumn is right around the corner! 🍂 I'm so excited for seeing the leaves changing colour, wearing cute outfits, enjoying comfy activities with my partner and, of course, Halloween!

I want to make the best of the season so I'm gathering inspiration and writting down some fun activities to do in Autumn. You can check them to get inspired too and at the bottom of the article you'll find a printable sheet that you can use to write your own bucket list!

Enjoy the Seasonal Fruits
Try all the Autumn's classic fruits. We always gravitate towards grapes but this year I'd love to eat more figs, chestnuts and pomegranates for a change.
Try Indoor Gardening
I've been dabbling in apartment gardening and I'm having so much fun learning about types of soil, caring for the plants, watching them grow from seeds, and I just can't wait to try growing lettuce indoors. You don't need a big garden to try your hand at gardening, there are many plants suited for small spaces and they'll bring more colour into your home.
Make Sourdough
The early days of Autumn are perfect to begin making your sourdough starter because the weather is still warm, so the yeast grow in no time. Soon you'll be baking hearty loaves of bread all throughout Autumn and Winter!
Make Fruit Jam
I once bought at a local fair the best apple jam and I'd love to try and recreate it. Slow Autumn weekends are perfect to cook new recipes, so why not try and make apple or pumpkin jam? They'd be great to eat with your sourdough bread!
It's Baking Time!
This is the season to bake tasty treats! This year I'd love to make one of those classic lattice-topped apple pies. Also upside down caramel orange cake! This is one of my favourite recipes and the cake is gone in no time! And let's not forget a comfy homemade focaccia! I've always wanted to make it myself, so I just can't wait to try it this season!
Warm Beverages
In Portugal we have a strong tradition of having alcoholic drinks this time of the year. We have red wine, Port, Jeropiga, liqueurs...you name it! Although I enjoy them, my tummy doesn't love them that much. So I want to make American Apple Cider again (gosh I love how ot fills the home with the smell of spices), pumpkin spice latte and discover other comfy recipes for the season!
Make Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix and Pumpkin Puree
If like me you live in a country that doesn't sell these classic Autumn ingredients in stores, you can try to recreate them following recipes online. I love this Pumpkin Pie Spice mix and this Pumpkin Puree recipes.
Autumn Picnic
Simple and comfy picnic treats: grapes, figs, dry nuts, cheese, prosciutto, pumpkin jam or marmelade and dry nuts. Don't forget a thermo flask with a hot beverage. These are so convenient to pack and eat! You can even enjoy them inside your car if it's raining outside. Just park somewhere surrounded by nature and enjoy the rain with those delicious treats!
Autumn Hike
Combine birdwatching with hiking and bring your camera. You can enjoy the changing leaves, see how nature starts slowing down and even see some migratory birds if you're lucky!
Decorate for Autumn
You don't even need to buy anything new. You can simply reorganize your home, DIY some cute seasonal decor with dried leaves, make a Halloween garland, or try your hand at amigurumi and make cute pumpkin figures (you might need to buy supplies for these, but nothing too expensive).
Create Autumn Outfits
We're so busy with our daily lives we sometimes just grab the first piece of clothing that comes to hand. A comfy weekend activity is to rummage through your wardrobe and trying to create the cutest outfits for the season. It will make it easier to decide what to wear in the future and you may even find new cute clothing combinations.
Self-Care Days
Take a well deserved day off and just chill out with a book, tea and gentle music. And you can also give some extra love to your body with light exercise, an hydrating face mask and a manicure session.
Make a List of Books, Series, Movies, Songs and Games for the Season
Most nights I'm usually too tired to decide what to watch or read and I just want to quickly grab something without thinking too much. If you're like me, having a list of ideas at hand is super helpful and ensures you'll make the best of slow rainy nights.
Pumpkin Carving Date
An Autumn classic! Perfect for rainy days when you just want to stay at home. Can be done with your partner, family or even by yourself. Put on some Autumn music or series and get creative! I always forget how long this takes, so make sure to set enough time aside to carve your pumpkins! And if you're terrified of setting your house on fire, LED candles will be your best friend.
Go for a Walk in the Rain
I had this one on my list last year and never got to it, but I love when you can take a walk with your favourite rainjacket, boots and umbrella, at a cute park under the rain. If you live in a busy city, Sunday mornings or right after lunch are perfect because the local parks are so quiet. After enjoying your walk in the rain, finish with a warm bath, tea and cookies.