Celebrate Fall Like the Gilmore Girls

It’s finally fall! The season of crunchy leaves, pumpkin everything, and the socially-acceptable over-consumption of caffeine. It’s no wonder that Gilmore Girls fans claim this time of year as the official “Gilmore season.” So, this season, let’s grab a cup of coffee, escape to Stars Hollow, and celebrate fall like the Gilmore Girls!

Confession time: I’ve watched every episode of Gilmore Girls more times than I should probably admit. As a matter of fact, I often even keep it on in the background while I’m working around the house as comfy and cozy “noise”.

But what is it about Gilmore Girls that just feels so right in the fall? Is it the picturesque small-town? The quirky town traditions? Or the fact that Rory and Lorelai manage to make even something as ordinary as ordering Chinese takeout feel like an event worthy of a festival? (Okay, let’s be real: they make everything feel like an event.) Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that the show embodies peak fall vibes.

If you’re ready to embrace your inner Gilmore and live your best fall life, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s through decorating your home, dressing like a Gilmore, or planning activities straight out of Rory and Lorelai’s autumn playbook, we’re going to channel those Stars Hollow vibes and celebrate fall like the Gilmore Girls!

Step One: Decorate Your Home Like it Belongs in Stars Hollow

If your idea of fall decorating involves nothing more than plopping a sad little pumpkin on the porch and calling it a day, well, Taylor Doose wants to have a word with you. After all, in Stars Hollow, fall isn’t just a season—it’s a whole vibe. A contact sport, really. The kind that requires maximalist décor, an abundance of cozy touches, and enough whimsy to make Luke sigh in exasperation.

So, if you truly want to channel your inner Gilmore this autumn, it’s time to deck the halls—Stars Hollow style. These tips will help you fit right in…

Cozy Vibes & Autumn Colors

First things first: if it’s not pumpkin-colored, rust-toned, or deep crimson, it has no place in your Gilmore Girls fall décor arsenal. I’m talking blankets and pillows that look like they were handcrafted by Miss Patty and Babette at the town’s Knit-a-Thon Festival and flung over every available surface. Also, be sure to add in a few plaid touches, too—because nothing says “autumn in a quaint New England town” like plaid.

For that extra boost of coziness, scatter candles like you’re channeling your inner Sookie and her pie baking skills. Cinnamon, apple, pumpkin spice—if it smells like fall, it belongs in your home. Bonus points if you throw in a few books that look casually strewn across your coffee table, Rory-style. (You don’t have to read them, but it will at least make you feel literary.)

Vintage Touches

Stars Hollow is basically the dictionary definition of “charmingly vintage,” so if you want your home to feel like you could walk into a town meeting at any moment, add some old-world flair. Think lanterns filled with fairy lights, and maybe even a quaint rocking chair in the corner for those contemplative, Lorelai-esque moments.

Likewise, don’t be afraid to hit up the local thrift store (or your grandma’s attic) for knick-knacks that have that weathered, Stars Hollow aesthetic. Anything that looks like it could’ve been dug out of Mrs. Kim’s antique shop? That’s a winner.

Seasonal Wreaths & Garland

Okay, so maybe you don’t have the whole Stars Hollow town square to decorate, but that doesn’t mean your front door can’t give Lorelai’s house a run for its money. A fall wreath is essential—bonus points if it’s handmade. However, if you’re a little more Luke than Lorelai in the crafting department, I’ve got you covered with a great option below!

Next, string up some garland around your windows, toss in a few faux pumpkins or sunflower accents (Rory’s favorites!), and you’ll be ready for Taylor Doose to swing by with a clipboard to give your home an A+ for seasonal spirit.

Create Your Own “Luke’s Diner” Coffee Corner

Can’t you just imagine the feeling of walking into Luke’s Diner, and it’s like the very air smells of coffee, flannel, and comfort? You can bring that same energy to your own home by creating a coffee corner. Set up a small space dedicated entirely to caffeinated goodness—complete with fall-themed mugs (the quirkier, the better), pumpkin spice creamer, and maybe a cinnamon stick or two to swirl around dramatically in your cup, Lorelai-style.

And don’t forget to make the vibe as cozy as possible. Add a few fairy lights and a jar of biscotti for good measure, because even if you’re not sitting at the counter with Luke grumpily pouring you coffee, you can still live the caffeinated dream.

Step Two: Dress Like a Gilmore Girl in Fall

If there’s one thing the Gilmore girls know how to do (besides rapid-fire pop culture references and consuming alarming amounts of coffee), it’s dressing for fall. From Rory’s preppy bookish vibes to Lorelai’s quirky yet cozy ensembles, these two have mastered the art of layering—both with clothes and sass.

So, if you’re ready to strut through autumn like you’re heading to Luke’s Diner for your fifth cup of the day, it’s time to embrace your inner Gilmore and build your fall wardrobe accordingly.

And, Don’t Forget to Accessorize Like a Gilmore!

Fall accessories are where the Gilmore girls truly shine. Rory is all about that functional-but-stylish vibe—think cozy knit beanies and sensible boots that could totally take you on a crisp autumn walk through Yale’s campus (or, you know, the nearest coffee shop). Meanwhile, Lorelai’s accessories are an extension of her fun, eclectic personality. Chunky scarves, playful hats, and colorful gloves are all essentials.

Step Three: Fall Activities to Channel Your Inner Gilmore

Maybe the most popular Gilmore Girl activity involves consuming 12,000 calories per day while still looking fabulous. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that Gilmore metabolism!

But, don’t despair–there are still plenty of ways you can live the Gilmore life this fall…

Host a Fall Movie Marathon

Step one for how to celebrate fall like the Gilmore Girls: dedicate an entire day (or week, if you’re a true pro) to binge-watching movies that scream autumn—and by “scream,” I mean charmingly whisper, in a very cozy and nostalgic tone. The Gilmore girls have taught us that no one should ever be ashamed of back-to-back movie marathons, especially if they involve enough snacks to feed a small village.

And speaking of snacks, Lorelai says it’s not a movie marathon if you don’t end it in a sugar-induced state of delirium. Red vines, popcorn, marshmallows, and “pizza with everything”. And there is always–always–room for ice cream!

{ Related: The BEST Cowboy Cookies Recipe Ever }

Visit a Small-Town Festival

Let’s be real: if you’re not attending at least one quirky small-town fall festival, are you even living your best Stars Hollow life? Whether it’s a pumpkin patch extravaganza, a corn maze that will inevitably turn into an existential crisis, or a hayride that you’ll immediately regret but still smile through, you need to find a festival that captures the pure, chaotic joy of a Stars Hollow event. Unquestionably, a small-town festival is one of the very best ways to celebrate fall like the Gilmore Girls!

Bonus points if your local festival involves people dressed up as scarecrows, pie-eating contests, or some overly ambitious town mayor making a speech no one asked for. And if you can find a festival with some sort of wildly inappropriate bonfire situation? You’ve officially reached Gilmore levels of fall fun.

{ Related: A Guide to Attending a Vintage Market }

Read Like Rory

This is your season to finally tackle that stack of novels on your nightstand (or at least carry them around looking very intellectual while sipping your coffee). Rory would approve.

Create your own Gilmore-inspired reading list filled with literary classics like Oliver Twist or Emma, or dive into some fall-themed novels. Without a doubt, anything that makes you want to sit under a tree in a chunky sweater and read for hours will work.

Take a Fall Foliage Walk

In Stars Hollow, autumn is the season for long, leisurely walks where the leaves crunch beneath your feet, the air smells like apple cider, and everyone in town waves at you like you’re their best friend. (Don’t worry if you don’t know them—it’s part of the small-town charm.)

No matter what you choose, now is the time to soak up all of the autumn vibes and celebrate fall like the Gilmore Girls because, before you know it, the smell of snow will be in the air!

And, if you’re looking for even more great ideas to celebrate the season, be sure to check out Etsy’s Fall Decor Essentials for everything you need to decorate this autumn!