Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) in Chinese, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival, is one of China’s biggest holidays. The festival is a special celebration rooted in connecting family, parades, lanterns, and of course food including, mooncakes. 

The “Moon Festival” is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese calendar. This year that means Moon Festival kicks off on September 10th. 

In Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, it’s sometimes referred to as the Lantern Festival, but regardless of the name used, this centuries-old festival remains a beloved annual ritual celebrating an abundance of food and family. 

During the Moon Festival local skylines light up with colorful paper lanterns as people enjoy the holiday for three consecutive days. Moon cakes specially baked for this harvest festival represent the mid-autumn festival’s food due to their circular shape and sweet flavors. Traditionally, the cakes had red beans or lotus seed paste filling. However, with modernization, mooncakes can be sourced from markets well-in-advance with unique flavors such as ice cream and chocolate shaped in various forms.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE CHINESE AUTUMN FESTIVAL 

• The mooncake festival or mid-autumn festival celebration originated 3,000 years ago during the Zhou Dynasty.
  
• Dates for this festival change every year but are celebrated in September or October.
• The 3-day public holiday festival witnesses a travel peak.
• It is the second most important festival in China after the Chinese New Year.
• Marks the end of the autumn harvest in China.
• Lanterns of pomelos, pumpkins, oranges, and tiles are made and hung by children as a custom.
• As per the folklore, the Goddess Chang E flew to the moon on this day. 

After many years of physical distancing and travel limitations many are excited to gather with extended families for this celebratory Autumn Festival.  

See how our Vanguard International team’s celebrate the Moon Festival with their friends and families.