Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

The mid-autumn festival, also known as the moon festival, is held on the eighth full moon of the year, which is usually around mid-August. The moon is at its brightest at this time, and family and friends gather to not only appreciate the dazzling moon but also to eat mooncakes in the evening.

The celebration is the equivalent of Thanksgiving Day, and its origins may be traced back to ancient times, when people gathered on the fifteenth day of the eighth full moon to send forth a thankful prayer for a healthy rice crop. The weather is nice right now, and the fruits and vegetables are ripe and ready.

The streets and residences are festooned with colorful lanterns, while the sky is filled with colorful floating lanterns carrying well wishes. The festivity is enhanced by strange myths and folklore. Families gather to enjoy the event, either at home or at one of the many celebrations taking place throughout town. Markets, lantern carnivals, lion dances, and dragon parades are all part of the festivities.

Time: September 10, 2022 (Saturday)