Pumpkin spice season is officially back, even though fall is still more than a month away.
Starbucks announced its fall menu will return to stores Tuesday, Aug. 25, bringing back its iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte along with new and returning fall favorites.
That means Houston-area customers can start sipping pumpkin spice while temperatures are still pushing toward the triple digits.
And if it feels like fall is arriving earlier every year, you’re not imagining it.
The first day of astronomical fall in 2026 is Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Houston and across much of the United States. The autumnal equinox occurs at 7:05 p.m. Central Time that day.
So when Starbucks’ fall menu arrives Aug. 25, summer will technically have nearly another month to go.
For many people, though, pumpkin spice has become an unofficial kickoff to the season.
Starbucks’ 2026 lineup includes the returning Pumpkin Spice Latte, along with new pumpkin spice beverages, pecan-flavored favorites, banana bread-inspired drinks and a new Chaider, a cider-inspired take on chai. The company is also offering fall-themed food and limited-time merchandise.
And Thanksgiving is already on the horizon
If you’re wondering how close we are to the holidays, Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26 this year.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 19, that’s 99 days away.
That puts us in an interesting seasonal limbo: summer is still going strong in Houston, but pumpkin spice is back, Halloween decorations are starting to appear, and Thanksgiving is less than 100 days away.
Is fall starting too early?
That’s the debate.
For pumpkin spice fans, the earlier the better. But for others, August is still firmly summer, especially in Houston, where fall weather can feel a long way off.
Starbucks has helped turn pumpkin spice into a cultural marker for the season, with the company calling the PSL one of its most iconic seasonal offerings.
So, Houston: are you ready for pumpkin spice, or is it way too early for fall?