Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that the blog may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
September is an exciting time to travel as temperatures start to cool down and the leaves start to turn colors. Crowds tend to lessen with summer breaks coming to an end and students going back to school. It’s a time to explore the great outdoors and celebrate the harvest. Here are my 25 picks for where to travel in September.
Albania
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 77°F high; 54°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
Avoid the super hot summer or the bitter winter by visiting Albania in September. It’s a great time for outdoor activities like walking, cycling, exploring, and beach-going. As a smaller country, you can see much of the country’s highlights in about four days.
Key Events:
Jazz in Albania: European jazz festival with a focus on Balkan jazz
ION Festival: one of the top tech and electronic music festivals in Albania
Tomato Festival: festival of locally grown foods (and tomatoes) in Shëngjergj Village
Where to Stay:
Bath & Somerset, UK
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 65°F high; 53°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: high
Reason to Travel in September:
September is an active time to visit Bath and Somerset with a calendar full of fringe festivals, food festivals, outdoor events, and literature celebrations. It’s a great time to explore the area and appreciate the architecture. Expect higher accommodation costs and more crowds this time of year.
Key Events:
Bath Racecourse: horse racing
The Jane Austen Festival: largest and longest running Jane Austen Festival in the world
BathScape Walking Festival: celebration of the great outdoors
Priston Music Festival: local music festival
World Wellness Week: global event promoting healthier lifestyles
The Great Bath Feast: celebration of food and drink of the South West UK
Where to Stay:
Breckenridge, CO
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 63°F high; 48°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
If you’re looking for better deals on a September vacation, consider Breckenridge. Breckenridge is most popular from November through April for ski season, so you’ll experience better rates if you visit this destination in September. The weather is cooler but there’s still sunshine, making it a lovely time to bike, hike, or walk around the town.
Key Events:
Breckenridge Film Festival: film festival hosted across 3 venues
Breckenridge Oktoberfest: festival that mixes Oktoberfest traditions with local flavors
Breckenridge Strings, Ciders, & Sours: tastings from local and national craft breweries while listening to bluegrass music
Breckenridge Wine Classic: tastings, wine pairing dinners, and seminars
Where to Stay:
Corfu
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 82°F high; 63°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
Though there’s not really a bad time to visit the Mediterranean, September is a beautiful month to visit Corfu. There will be fewer tourists this time of year than in summer, but it will still be warm and sunny enough to enjoy outdoor activities.
Key Events:
Town Festivals: Afra, Marathia, Aghio Marko, Potami of Lefkimmi, Sinarades
Feast of the Cross: monastery of Saint Ioanni in Sidari; feast of sardines in Benitses
Kavadades Wine Festival: festival with spit roast pork and lamb
Kassiopi/Moraitika Wine Festival
Mirtidiotissa: festival in Vato
St. James Thologian: festivals in Karussades and Remunda
Where to Stay:
Flagstaff, AZ
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 74°F high; 42°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
In September, most of the summer crowds have left. The weather is crisp and clear with the onset of autumn. Fall foliage seasons starts late in the month at this time.
Key Events:
First Friday Artwalk: opportunity to listen to live music and shop local downtown businesses
Art in the Park Festival: arts and crafts festival
Flagstaff Festival of Science: 10-day celebration of a science theme
Flagstaff Star Party: virtual discussions, telescope observation, night sky orientations, workshops, and presentations
Where to Stay:
Galway, Ireland
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 62°F high; 51°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
September is a great time to visit Galway due to all of its music, culture, and arts events. If you like oysters, there are two festivals centered around seafood this month, including the International Oyster Festival, one of the most interesting culinary festivals in the world.
Key Events:
Galway Fringe Festival: comprehensive program of creative arts activities
Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds Music Weekend: traditional Irish music
Carna Walking Festival: provides walking and hikers to explore the wild and coastline of southern Connemara
Clarenbridge Oyster Festival: food, beer, music, and entertainment
Cleggan Fringe Festival: event featuring live gigs, food, and drink stalls at the village country market, traditional Irish music, and dancing
Connemara Mountain Walking Festival: event offering a choice of walks each day from strenuous to casual
Quest Lough Derg: one-day multi-sport race with kayaking, running, and cycling
Cannonball Run: largest organized supercar road trip in Europe
Cong Food Village Festival: events that showcases the produce of the West in a fun, educational way
Galway Tattoo Show: show featuring the talent of Ireland’s best tattoo artists
Clifden Arts Festival: longest-running community arts festival in Ireland
Fall Right Into Place: music festival on the grounds of Claregalway Castle
Galway Culture Night: night of free access to museums, galleries, theaters, and public buildings
Galway International Oyster Festival: one of the most interesting culinary festivals in the world
Leenane Autumnal Festival: celebrates all things autumnal with a focus on traditional food, arts, and crafts
Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering: gathering of poets, artists, playwrights, and writers of every genre
Where to Stay:
Tbilisi, Georgia
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 80°F high; 60°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
Avoid the summer heat and humidity as well as freezing winter temperatures by visiting Georgia in September. The autumn harvest season is an exciting time to visit this destination especially around the nearby Kakheti vineyards.
Key Events:
Rtveli: mass grape picking events with grape pressing, feasting, singing, and dancing
Tsinandali Festival: one of Georgia’s most prestigious music festivals outside Tbilisi
Where to Stay:
Greenville, SC
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 79°F high; 61°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
If you enjoy perusing fall foliage, Greenville is a great place to do that. During this time of year, hikers and bikers come to Greenville to experience the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains as the leaves change colors. You may experience some rainfall this month, but rates will be better as it’s shoulder season.
Key Events:
Euphoria: the South’s premier celebration of all things edible
Indie Craft Parade: festival of handmade art
Fidelity Investments Moonlight Movies: free outdoor movies in Fall Parks
Where to Stay:
Hermanus, South Africa
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 68°F high; 53°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
Hermanus is a seaside town southeast of Cape Town known for its whale watching. Whale watching season is between June and December, so September is a good time to visit at its peak.
Key Events:
Fernkloof Flower Festival: exhibits, workshops, talks, and demonstrations at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve Gardens
Hermanus Whale Festival: celebration of the return of the southern right whales to the coastal waters of Southern Africa
Where to Stay:
Boise, ID
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 79°F high; 50°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
Idaho has four distinct seasons so visiting Boise in September will be the start of autumn. Temperatures will lower in addition to travel costs as its shoulder season.
Key Events:
First Thursday: specials, demonstrations, live music, events, and activities in Downtown Boise
Idaho Shakespeare Festival: Idaho’s premier outdoor theater experience
Saturday Markets: local farmers markets
Art in the Park: open-air art festival
Capitol Table: open-air dining experience
Hyde Park Street Fair: three-day fundraising event with live music, shopping, events, F&B, and activities
FitOne: annual 5k, 10k, and half marathon
Old Boise Oktoberfest: celebration of fall and beer
Where to Stay:
Ziro, India
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 77°F high; 64°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
Ziro is a popular place to visit in September - specifically for the Ziro Music Festival. In September, this destination is warm and sunny with little chance of rain. The Ziro annual music festival gives participants the chance to experience the destination’s green vistas, rolling hills, and Apatani culture.
Key Events:
Ziro Music Festival: annual multi-day music festival with camping; one of the biggest music festivals in India
Where to Stay:
Beirut, Lebanon
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 86°F high; 74°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: high
Reason to Travel in September:
Though some would argue that spring is the best time to visit Beirut, September is still a pleasant time to visit because the weather is mostly dry and the temperatures are warm but not hot.
Where to Stay:
Paris, France
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 72°F high; 52°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
Summer attracts lots of tourists to Paris, but if you visit in September, you can look forward to enjoying more cultural and festive activities.
Key Events:
European Heritage Days: competition for children and young people to encourage exploration, discovery, and expression of their heritage
Omnivore Food Festival: 3 days dedicated to contemporary food
Jazz a la Villette: line-up of jazz, hip hop, soul, and funk music
Paris Shark Fest: first international film festival exclusively devoted to sharks
Fashion Week: series of designer presentations
Techno Parade: promotion of electronic music culture
Dream Nation Festival: 2 days of electronic music
Peacock Society Festival: one of the most famous electronic festivals in France
Fête de l'Humanité: largest popular gathering in France, music event
Course Paris-Versailles: pedestrian race between Paris and Versailles
Where to Stay:
Michigan
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 73°F high; 52°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
September is a nice time to get outdoors in Michigan in places like Grand Rapids, Saugatuck/Douglas, and Sleeping Bear Dune. There are plenty of county fairs to check out in September as well as the Michigan State Fair.
Key Events:
Michigan Renaissance Festival: Renaissance fair
Michigan State Fair: annual event promoting agriculture, tourism, and local products
Detroit Jazz Festival: free jazz festival held every year during Labor Day Weekend
Fairgrove Bean Festival: dedicated to promoting Michigan dry bean industry
Bell’s Beer Copper Harbor Trails Fest: mountain biking event
Festival of Oddities: mid-Michigan’s original oddities festival
Michigan Chicken Wing Festival: 2-day festival with live bands and performances from the midwest and nationally in addition to different flavors of wings
Funtown Chowdown Food Truck Festival: 20 food trucks from across Michigan
Emerald Isle Irish Feile: showcase of the unique Irish heritage of Beaver Island
Wheatland Music Festival: annual celebration of music and the arts, dating back to 1974
Michigan’s Big Country Fest: line dancing, games, food trucks, and more
Where to Stay:
Milan, Italy
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 76°F high; 61°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
Beat the crowds and the summer heat by waiting to visit Milan until the month of September. At this time, peak season will subside while the weather will still be pleasant and warm.
Key Events:
Milan Fashion Week: clothing trade show
Milano Film Festival: annual film festival held since 1996
Where to Stay:
Munich, Germany
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 67°F high; 49°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: high
Reason to Travel in September:
For many, Oktoberfest is a big event that draws tourists from around the world to Munich in September. If you don’t enjoy crowds or large parties, you’ll want to avoid this event. Regardless of if you come to Munich in September for Oktoberfest or not, you’re likely to experience beautiful weather this time of year.
Key Events:
Oktoberfest Munich: 16 day festival is Germany (and one of the world’s) largest parties with beer tents and traditional Bavarian food
Where to Stay:
Mexico City, MX
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 75°F high; 53°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
The capital of Mexico is usually nice to visit year-round but the spring and fall months, including September, are particularly favorable. You may experience some rainfall (average of 18 days) but temperatures will be warm.
Key Events:
Zona Maco: one of the most highly regarded art festivals in the Americas
Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia): celebration with patriotic colors, musical performances, parties, and fireworks
Where to Stay:
Hokkaido, Japan
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 72°F high; 57°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
Hokkaido is the northernmost region of Japan. If you’re looking for better rates and fewer crowds, September is a good month to visit, but keep in mind that September is when Hokkaido gets the most rain out of the year. If you’re not deterred by the rain, this may be a good time to visit.
Key Events:
Furano Wine Grape Festival: celebration of wine production in the center of Hokkaido since 1972
Where to Stay:
New England, USA
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 73°F high; 55°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: high
Reason to Travel in September:
September is an excellent time to visit all six states in New England - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Around mid-month the trees will start changing colors to beautiful autumn hues.
Key Events:
Milford Irish Festival: celebration of Irish heritage in Milford, CT
Highland Games & Festival: 3-day celebration of Scottish music, food, drink, athletics, dance, heritage, and more in Lincoln, NH
Caribbean Rum & Food Festival: showcase of Caribbean products, arts, entertainment, and more in Boston, MA
Chester Festival on the Green: annual outdoor event to kick off fall foliage season in Chester, VT
Bristol Harvest Festival: crafters, vendors, demonstrations, and music in Bristol, VT
Oktoberfest: celebration of German culture in Temple, NH
Where to Stay:
Porto, Portugal
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 75°F high; 58°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
September in Porto experiences mild, pleasant weather that’s often sunny and warm. Crowds tend to dissipate more at this time after the peak summer months of July and August.
Key Events:
Red Bull Air Races: aerial acrobats
Porto Half Marathon: running race
Porto Book Fair: 80+ year old book fair
Where to Stay:
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 64°F high; 50°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
September is an excellent time to visit Prince Edward Island because the temperatures are warm and the crowds are fewer. Prices are more affordable than in the summer months. Keep in mind that some tourist attractions close over Labor Day Weekend.
Key Events:
L’Exposition Agricole Et Le Festival Acadien: celebration of Acadian culture and agricultural traditions
PEI International Shellfish Festival: 4 day seafood festival
PEI Beer Festival: samples of a variety of beer plus local live music
Fall Flavours Festival: celebration of traditions, fresh ingredients, and culinary talent
Together At Last Festival: live music and theater festival celebrating female icons from the 20th century
The Island Walk Food Hike: event for foodies and hikers
PEI Fiber Festival: discover unique fibres from over 30 vendors across the world
Harvest Home Festival: live music weekend
Where to Stay:
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 87°F high; 79°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: low
Reason to Travel in September:
If you’ve been wanting to explore San Juan but you’re on a budget, plan your trip for September. Yes, it will be peak hurricane season, however you’ll secure special deals and low hotel rates. It’s a gamble but it may pay off!
Where to Stay:
Shanghai, China
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 81°F high; 70°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
Compared to the summer holiday season, September is a less crowded time to visit Shanghai. The weather is very pleasant this time of year and there are exciting things to do and see this time of year.
Key Events:
Mid-Autumn Festival: popular Chinese festival marking the end of harvest season
Tourism Festival: grandest among Shanghai modern festivals
Where to Stay:
South Dakota
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 69°F high; 48°F low
Season: fall
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
Summer is considered peak tourist season so you can expect better prices and fewer crowds in South Dakota for the month of September. It’s a good time of the year to visit the Mount Rushmore or Black Hills in Custer State Park, one of the nation’s largest state parks.
Key Events:
Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup: cowboys round up a large herd of wild buffalo every fall to prepare for the winter season
Where to Stay:
Zimbabwe, Africa
Temperature/Season:
Temperature: 81°F high; 58°F low
Season: spring
Tourist Season: mid
Reason to Travel in September:
If you’re looking to book a wildlife safari in Zimbabwe, September is a good time to visit. During this time, temperatures warm up and it’s dry. Game viewing will be at its peak when the natural waterholes dry and up and the herds head to lakes, man-made waterholes, and rivers.
Key Events:
Shoko Festival: one of the most popular and longest-running cultural festivals in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe International Film Festival: 10-day event featuring films, documentaries, short films, and more
Intwasa Arts Festival: cultural event celebrating the rich and diverse arts of Zimbabwe