How Are the Fall Feasts Celebrated Today?

As summer comes to an end and the days begin to grow shorter, the biblical calendar moves into a special season of remembrance, repentance, and rejoicing known as the High Holy Days.

The Fall Feasts take place during the seventh month of the biblical calendar, beginning in the fall of the year. They include the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

Today, Jewish families around the world continue to observe these biblical feasts in a variety of ways. Messianic Jewish and Christian families and congregations also celebrate these appointed times while recognizing Jesus (Yeshua) as the Messiah and seeing His life, death, resurrection, and promised return within the larger story of Scripture.

Traditions can vary from family to family and congregation to congregation, but each feast has biblical roots and provides an opportunity to remember God's faithfulness.

Let's take a look at when the Fall Feasts occur on the calendar, what the Bible says about them, and what celebrating them can look like today.

🍂 When Are the Fall Feasts?

The Fall Feasts occur during the seventh month of the biblical calendar, known as Tishri.

They are:

• Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) — 1st day of the seventh month

• Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) — 10th day of the seventh month

• Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) — 15th–21st days of the seventh month

Because the biblical calendar is based on lunar months, the dates move from year to year on our modern Gregorian calendar. The Fall Feasts generally occur in September or October.

This makes early fall a wonderful time for families to learn about these special days and explore the story God has woven throughout Scripture.

🍂 Feast of Trumpets — Yom Teruah

The Fall Feasts begin with the Feast of Trumpets, called Yom Teruah in Hebrew. It occurs on the first day of the seventh month, known today as Tishri.

In Leviticus 23:24–25, God instructed Israel to observe this day as a Sabbath rest and a day of blowing trumpets.

Today, the sound of the shofar, or ram's horn, is an important part of Jewish and Messianic Jewish observance. The shofar calls people to attention and serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the significance of the season ahead.

For Messianic believers, the trumpet also brings to mind the New Testament passages that speak of the trumpet and the future coming of the Messiah. (I Cor. 15:52)

🤍 Day of Atonement — Yom Kippur

Ten days later comes the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. Scripture describes this as a solemn day of fasting, repentance, and atonement (Leviticus 16; 23:26–32).

Traditional Jewish observance includes fasting, prayer, repentance, and confession. It is a serious and reflective day.

Messianic Jewish believers approach Yom Kippur with the understanding that Jesus is the Messiah who provides the ultimate atonement for sin. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the seriousness of sin, our need to confess and repent of our sins. Many also use this time to repair broken relationships in their lives. As we do we remember God's holiness, and the need everyone has for reconciliation with God.

🌿 Feast of Tabernacles — Sukkot

Just five days after Yom Kippur comes one of the most joyful biblical celebrations: the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot.

Beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month, this seven-day feast was a time of rejoicing and remembering how God cared for Israel during their wilderness journey.

Today, one of the most recognizable traditions is the sukkah, a temporary shelter or booth where families may eat meals, spend time together, and remember God's provision and faithfulness. Families celebrate with joy, remembering all the blessings of the past year.

For Messianic Jewish believers, Sukkot also carries beautiful reminders of God's desire to dwell among His people. The Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Word who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), making the feast especially meaningful when viewed through the story of Messiah. One day, Jesus will return and we will, He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." (Rev 21:3)

🍁 A Season With a Story

The Fall Feasts aren't simply three unrelated holidays. They form a season within God's appointed calendar.

Trumpets calls us to attention.
Atonement reminds us of our need for repentance and reconciliation with God.
Tabernacles celebrates God's provision and His desire to dwell with His people.

For families studying Scripture, the Fall Feasts provide a wonderful time to slow down, open the Bible, and see how God's story unfolds from the Old Testament into the New Testament.

And that story doesn't end in the pages of the Old Testament. For those who believe in Jesus, the feasts point us toward the Messiah and remind us that God's promises continue to unfold. It encourages us to look forward to the day when we will dwell with Him!