Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
The harvest moon festival, reunion, mooncakes, and honoring the moon goddess Chang'e.
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, at the full moon, usually between early September and early October.
When Is Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)?
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, at the full moon, usually between early September and early October.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
The Mid-Autumn Festival is often regarded as the second most important festival in Chinese culture after Lunar New Year, celebrating the harvest under the full moon of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Central to the mythology is Chang'e, the moon goddess.
How It Is Observed
Family gathering to gaze at the full moon, eating mooncakes (lotus paste or red bean with salted egg yolk), children's lantern processions, offerings to the moon, reciting moon poetry.
Sacred Text
“The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.”
, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 1 ↗