17 Fun Fall Bucket List Ideas! (FREE & Insanely Cheap)

fall bucket list

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Fall is here!

If you’re anything like me, you switch into fall mode as soon as the calendar hits September 1st.

Hot weather, Starbucks Refreshers, and beach days are out, and chilly nights, hot lattes, and sweaters are in.

The fun doesn’t have to end just because summer’s over.

Make your fall one to remember with today’s post - a fall bucket list.

This list has easy and fun fall activities that are either totally free or cheap to do. Perfect for anyone who wants to save money.

So, let’s get into the fall spirit and dive right into this autumn bucket list of 17 free/cheap things to do:

17 Fall Bucket List Ideas


#1: Take A Walk On Campus & Admire The Fall Colors

fall bucket list

A must do during the fall!

Take a stroll on campus or somewhere else and admire the beautiful fall foliage and crisp temperatures.

Put on your headphones and enjoy a podcast or some music for extra good vibes.

Related: 7 Ways To Romanticize College Every Day (Aesthetic & Motivating)

#2: Watch Fall Movies/TV Shows

fall bucket list

Get in the fall spirit by watching (or re-watching) some autumn classics.

Some of my favorite suggestions to get you started are Harry Potter, Gilmore Girls, When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, The Addams Family, and Twilight.

Related: 12 Practical Gifts For College Students (Stuff They Really Need)

#3: Set Your Phone And Computer Backgrounds To Be Fall Themed

fall bucket list

This is something I find especially fun!

Customize your tech for fall with new icons, backgrounds, screen savers, and cases.

This is great to do along with a digital decluttering session so your devices are all ready to go before a new semester.

#4: Go Tailgating

fall bucket list

Fall days mean college game days are back. And college game day means tailgating!

So get your car tents, grills, and speakers ready for some fun before the big game.

If your school doesn’t have tailgates, you can attend one for a nearby school or a pro team, too!

Related: 14 Essentials You Need In Your Tailgating Starter Pack

#5: Try Every Fall Themed Coffee On Campus

fall bucket list

Every college is different, but the coffee shops on my campus add some special beverages to the menu every year that are only available during fall.

Pumpkin coffee, hot apple cider, and s’mores lattes, galore.

If your school does something similar, have some fun trying as many fall drinks as you can throughout the semester!

#6: Decorate Your Dorm Or Apartment For Fall

fall bucket list

Arguably one of the most fun fall bucket list activities there is and a personal yearly tradition: fall decorating.

Time for fall candles, cozy throw blankets, pumpkin patterned pillows, jack o lanterns, and colorful wreaths to welcome the new season.

Whether you go all out or add just a few pieces, decorating for fall is a fantastic way to get your self excited for autumn!

Related: 12 Cute & Easy Ways To Decorate Your College Dorm For Fall

#7: Do A Fall Photoshoot

fall bucket list

Fall is one of the most aesthetically pleasing times of year!

Take advantage and grab some cute pics from each autumn adventure.

Some activities that have plenty of photo potential and cute fall backgrounds include pumpkin patch exploring, hiking, apple picking, walking through a corn maze, and shopping at fall festivals/markets.

#8: Throw/Attend A Halloween Party

fall bucket list

Spooky season is upon us!

If you’re not throwing a party yourself, attending at least one is a super fun way to get in the Halloween spirit.

Find a fun Halloween costume, grab your friends, eat some candy, and dance dance dance!

Related: 60+ Songs To Play At Your Next Friendsgiving Party (A Playlist)

#9: Attend A Campfire

fall bucket list

Not sure what to do on a crisp Friday fall evening?

Grab some friends and start a campfire!

Bring a speaker to play some music and roast marshmallows while you chat the night away.

If your school or apartment complex has fire pits available, definitely take advantage of them because this is a super fun way to spend fall evenings.

Related: 16 Ways To Wear A Football Jersey (That Actually Look Cute)

#10: Try Every Fall Food Or Baked Good On Campus

fall bucket list

Next in my fall bucket list - fall beverages are awesome, but don’t forget about food!

Spend your fall days scoping out all the cinnamon donuts, pumpkin pie, apple fritter, snicker doodle cookies, and cozy soups on campus to satisfy your fall cravings.

And of course - a pumpkin spice latte.

Related: 25 Things NOT To Pack For Your Dorm Room (From A College Junior)

#11: Go To A Football Game

fall bucket list

Tailgating is only half the fun of game day.

Whether it’s football, basketball, hockey (my favorite), or another fall sport, get hype, get out there and support your school teams!

Related: 18 Tailgate Outfit Ideas For College Game Day

#12: Eat All Your Favorite Halloween Candy

fall bucket list

Anyone else see Halloween as an excuse to eat a bunch of candy even though you don’t trick or treat anymore?

If you can relate, celebrate the spooky season by indulging in some of your favorites.

For me, it’ll be Snickers, 3 Musketeers, and Reese's, thank you very much!

Related: 20 Gorgeous Game Day Party Decor Ideas!

#13: Listen To Fall Playlists

fall bucket list

Need something to listen to on those fall foliage walks?

I love searching up fall playlists on YouTube or Spotify to get me in the autumn spirit.


I think of fall music as being chill, moody, or jazz music.

Whatever your ideal autumn tunes sound like, they’ll make the perfect backdrop to your season.


Here’s a great playlist to get you started:

Related: The Perfect Chill Pop Playlist For Studying & Working



#14: Wear Cute Fall Outfits

fall bucket list

Time to break out a jacket, cozy sweater, boots, and jeans!

Try putting together a Pinterest board of fall fashion ideas so you can enjoy autumn in style.

This is extremely fun to do and will get you so excited to start putting together outfits!

#15: Throw/Attend A Friendsgiving

fall bucket list

Friendsgiving is the perfect way to celebrate your friends and chosen family.

Throw one yourself, or attend one hosted by someone else!

Either way, a Friendsgiving celebration is always a super fun excuse to dress up, hang out with friends, and eat some delicious food.

Related: 10 Easy Ideas To Throw A Trendy Friendsgiving Party In College

#16: Visit A Public Market

fall bucket list

Markets and fall festivals are an autumn staple and a must for your fall bucket list.

There’s truly no better way to spend a cool Saturday morning in fall than walking through a public market while sipping on some hot apple cider!

#17: Go On A Fall Date

fall bucket list

And finally, we can’t forget fall dates.

Whether it’s with a significant other or with your besties, doing fun things like going out to dinner, doing a hayride, doing a haunted house, or any of the activities on this list are fantastic ways to cherish the relationships in your life and celebrate this truly special time of year!

Outro & Closing Thoughts

That wraps up my fall bucket list!

I hope this list of free/cheap fall activities gets you excited for the season and inspires you to get out there and have some fun this autumn.

Thanks for stopping by my post “The Perfect Fall Bucket List (17 Free & Cheap Things To Do).”

For handmade digital art prints, icon packs, wallpapers, & more designed by me, be sure to stop by my digital boutique: Designed By Nikki Lo.

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Nikki Lo

Editor-In-Chief, yogi, small business owner, among other things! Catch me binging YouTube, decorating, or exploring my current home city of Rochester, NY.

https://nikkilo.com/about
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