August Moon Festival
Friday, September 25, 2026
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a harvest festival celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese communities worldwide. It occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, typically in September or early October. The festival centers around moon worship, family reunions, and the sharing of mooncakes, a traditional pastry filled with lotus seed paste or red bean.
History
The Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, originating from ancient Chinese moon worship during the Shang Dynasty. The festival became officially established during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). The legend of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, and the story of the mooncake rebellion during the Yuan Dynasty are central to the festival's cultural significance.
How It's Celebrated
Families gather to admire the full moon, share mooncakes and tea, light lanterns, and enjoy pomelos and other seasonal fruits. In many communities, dragon and lion dances are performed, and lantern displays illuminate parks and streets. Children carry brightly lit lanterns in evening parades.