The moment the temperature graciously drops below 70 degrees, is the moment you know it’s time to become Carole King’s backup singer in “Where You Lead.” There is no fall without the Gilmore Girls, and, in this house, that means an annual dedicated rewatch moment. Every time I take the windy tree-lined road back to Stars Hollow, I feel like I’m stepping into my home away from home in an alternate universe where everyone understands the most niche pop culture references including the grumpy town barista. Since I’m officially a pro at locating the episodes featuring my favorite co-dependent mommy-daughter duo that make me want a hot apple cider realllll bad, I figured I might as well share the wealth. To be clear these are the most seasonally spirited bits and pieces for your viewing pleasure, not every single episode that takes place between summer and winter. Here’s the official Gilmore Girls fall episode guide you need for the coziest autumn.
Season 1 Episode 5 “Cinnamon’s Wake”
Consider this episode your prime for fall, when you’re debating if you’re ready for a PSL but you still can’t deny the witchy tingle in your toes. Sookie and Lorelai go OTT at the Chilton bake sale while Rory finally plucks up the courage to tell Dean she’s “interested” during the funeral of Morey and Babette’s cat.
Season 1 Episode 7 “Kiss and Tell””
Episode 7 is the Gilmore Girls classic when sweet little Rory (before she becomes every sane girl’s mortal enemy) has her first kiss. How precious! Does Lorelai tap into overbearing older sister mode by forcing a movie night? Yes, but the warm vibes all over town for the Autumn Festival more than makes up for it.
Season 2 Episode 6 “Presenting Lorelai Gilmore”
Who doesn’t remember their first debutante ball? I mean, probably everyone without rich grandparents to push them into it, but still. Grab a chai tea latte Luke would hate and relive Lorelai’s back-to-school teen trauma (incredibly fall core).
Season 2 Episode 7 “Like Mother Like Daughter”
If I can’t participate in a private school fashion show with the cool girls, at least I can judge from the sidelines with Emily Gilmore and Paris.
Season 2 Episode 8 “The Inns And Outs Of Inns”
In this episode, Lorelai and Sookie are finally starting their own inn which I truly wish was real every single October.
Season 2 Episode 9 “Run Away Little Boy”
The penultimate episode of season 2 starts with the mention of apple cider ice cream, so this def counts. The major drama is Rory and Tristan (Chad Michael Murray at truly the hottest he’s ever been) rehearsing Shakespeare which naturally drives Dean nuts. Plus Luke has a brand new family member moving in…
Season 3 Episode 6 “Take the Deviled Eggs…”
Baby showers are pretty much always a bust (hot take) but Sherry’s is especially bad. Rory is too busy flirting with Jess to notice though.
Season 3 Episode 7 “They Shoot Gilmores Don’t They”
Why does the Stars Hollow dance marathon feel like a core memory in my own life? Probably because I’ve seen the wildest Rory/Dean/Jess love triangle fight that ends in disaster about a million times.
Season 3 Episode 8 “Let The Games Begin”
In the fallout from the dance marathon, Rory finally caves into her primal craving for Jess. Oops! She also tours colleges with Lorelai, Emily, and Richard and nothing makes me feel more fall-fresh than pretending there’s a still chance I could have the Ivy League experience.
Season 3 Episode 9 “A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving”
Every scene with Mrs. Kim should be ten times longer, which is a big part of the reason why Lorelai and Rory’s Thanksgiving tour around Stars Hollow is so iconic. That, and Kirk’s blood feud with his cat… Kirk. You better believe Luke calls out the holiday’s problematic roots, while Rory and Jess get used to their new dynamic.
Season 4 Episode 4 “Chicken Or Beef”
During a weekend home from Yale Rory and her pixie cut bump into Dean who weirdly invites her to his wedding to Lindsay in the gazebo. Nothing like a shotgun September wedding!
Season 4 Episode 5 “The Fundamental Things Apply”
Major Dragonfly Inn moments, between perpetual Rory relationship drama.
Season 4 Episode 7 “The Festival Of Living Art”
Watching Lorelai panic over flinching as a living painting during the town’s live art performance truly feels like the warmest fall hug.
Season 4 Episode 9 “Ted Koppel’s Big Night Out”
In the season 4 almost-finale, Richard and Emily host a tailgate at Yale, which is nearly as interesting as Paris’ crush on an old man. Lorelai also starts her mini love affair with her dad’s new business partner, Jason Stiles. What’s more fall than college football and delulu cuffing season schemes?
Season 5 Episode 7 “You Jump, I Jump, Jack”
Season 5 brings the arrival of Logan, AKA shit is about to go way left. Rory evolves from his family friend to his latest muse at the Life and Death Bridgade’s forest party. It’s Gatsby meets ren faire and now I’m craving an Outlander-esque hunk to help me pitch a tent or something.
Season 5 Episode 9 “Emily Says Hello”
There are so many pumpkins at the Dragonfly Inn you’ll be booking your girls’ trip to a small town ASAP. An appearance from Rory’s bad daddy Christopher also made me wonder if I should order some new comfy sweaters.
Season 6 Episode 5 “We’ve Got Magic To Do”
Aaaaand hello darkness my old friend. In this case, darkness is code for Rory, who has abandoned Yale to live in her grandparents’ pool house to work for the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). Woof.
Season 6 Episode 6 “Welcome To The Dollhouse”
Comeuppance tastes oh so sweet, and by this point in season 6 everyone realizes Lorelai was right about creating a monster. How does this highlight fall festivities? Lots of Stars Hollow town square banter with Sookie, Michel, and Kirk, obvi.
Season 6 Episode 7 “21 Is The Loneliest Number”
Get ready for just about the saddest 21st birthday party ever, but at least Lorelai’s episode-long bit with Babette about Halloween decorations hits.
Season 6 Episode 10 “He’s Slippen Em’ Bread… Dig?”
Oh good, Christopher is back for fall, just in time to ruin Lorelai’s relationship with Luke!
Season 7 Episode 5 “The Great Stink”
Stinky pickles in Stars Hollow. That’s all.
Season 7 Episode 6 “Go Bulldogs”
Rory hauls ass back to college just in time to give us one more Varsity aesthetic moment on that gorgeous, gorgeous campus.
Season 7 Episode 9 “Knit People Knit”
I’m not saying I could win a knitting competition, but I know Taylor’s bossy energy at the town knitting festival would def make me try.
Gilmore Girls: A Year In the Life Episode 4 “Fall”
Was this the reboot we asked for? Absolutely. Did it pretty much destroy every dream we had for our faves? Yep, sure did!
