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Mid-Autumn Festival: About

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional harvest festival celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian countries, particularly in China and Vietnam. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The event starts with a full moon night, falling in mid-September to early October.

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What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

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 joyous celebration with family reunions, mooncakes, parades, and lanterns. Mid-Autumn Festival is also a popular observance in many other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Philippines but with different names. The festival date in these countries is the same as in China. 

In America, one of the biggest events during the Mid-Autumn Festival is organized by Asian Americans United [in Philadelphia]. It usually starts at noon and continues until nighttime. Thousands of people gather on the streets to watch performances, including music, dancing, singing, kung fu shows, and traditional Chinese opera. During this time, the streets are decorated with colorful lanterns.

Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th of the 8th lunar month in the Chinese calendar, within half a lunar month of the autumn equinox (from about Sep. 6 to Oct. 6). On the Chinese lunar calendar, the 8th month is the middle month of autumn and the 15th is its middle day. As, traditionally, the four seasons each have three lunar months, day 15 of month 8 is "the middle of autumn". So it got its name.

The date of the festival is a full moon, and that is why it is also called the Moon Festival. On the 15th of each lunar calendar month, the moon is at its roundest and brightest, symbolizing togetherness and reunion in Chinese culture. Mooncakes are customarily given as gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The best time to gift mooncakes can be:

  • A few days before the festival. This allows the recipients to prepare for their celebrations and include your gift in their feast.
  • On the day of the festival. Gifting on the day itself is also acceptable, especially if you are celebrating the festival together with friends or family.
  • Remember, the intention is to share in the joy and beauty of the full moon, celebrate the bountiful harvest, and send wishes of longevity and happiness to your loved ones. Therefore, your timing should correspond with these intentions. Continue reading from China Highlights

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