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.
In 2024, Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 17th.
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.
- How Long Is the Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday
- Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations in America
- Mooncake Festival Celebrations in Singapore
- Mooncake Festival Celebrations in Malaysia
- How Is Mid-Autumn Festival's Date Determined?
- Mid-Autumn Festival Dates and Holidays in 2024
- When Is the Best Time to Gift Mooncakes?
How Long Is the Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday in 2024?
- 1 day, OnSeptember 17th
Different countries have different holiday times for this festival.
In China, the festival falls on September 17th.
In Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, there is no public holiday.
Mid-Autumn Festival 2024Events in America
- Date:September 21st, 2024
- Venue: Chinatown Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch Street, Philadelphia, US
In America, one of the biggest events during the Mid-Autumn Festival is organized by Asian Americans United. 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.
Mooncake Festival 2024Events in Singapore
- Venue: Smith Street, Chinatown, Singapore
Chinatown's Mid-Autumn Festival is the most famous celebration in Singapore. It usually lasts from 6pm to 10pm on multiple days. There are spectacular displays of illuminated sculptures and colorful street lanterns, a lantern painting competition, stage shows presenting mask-changing acts, cultural dancing, and opportunities to play with sparklers. When you feel tired from lantern walking, the food streets are a great place to satisfy your appetite.
See more information about Mooncake Festival in Singapore.
Mooncake Festival 2024Events in Malaysia
- Date:undecided
- Venue: 65, Persiaran Endah, Taman Persiaran Desa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In Malaysia, apart from the commercial activities, the sight of thousands of red lanterns lighting up the Thean Hou Temple is a splendid spectacle admired by many visitors. See more details about Mooncake Festival in Malaysia.
Mid-Autumn Festival Dates in 2024, 2025, 2026...
Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar, which is in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | September 17 (Tuesday) |
| 2025 | October 6 (Monday) |
| 2026 | September 25 (Friday) |
In the Chinese mainland, people usually have a three-day public holiday for Mid-Autumn Festival (using 2 weekend days for 5-day week workers, so it only uses one day of statutory holiday).
In Hong Kong and Macau, the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival is a public holiday rather than the festival date itself (unless that date falls on a Sunday, then Monday is also a holiday), because many celebration events are held at night.
In Singapore and Malaysia, the Moon Festival is not a public holiday officially.
How Is Mid-Autumn Festival's Date Determined?
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.
When Is the Best Time to Gift Mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival?
- A few days before the festival or on the day of the festival
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.
Want to share the Mid-Autumn Festival story with your family? The 3-minute video below will show you all about it.
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