4 ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the “Mooncake Festival,” is one of China’s traditional and important festivals, typically celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday, September 29th, 2023. On this day, people usually gather with their families and eat mooncakes. However, the Mid-Autumn Festival features many other interesting activities that emphasize the significance of reunion. There are four more ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, let’s go!
Admiring the Moon
One of the central themes of the Mid-Autumn Festival is moon appreciation. On this day, people gather outdoors, especially under the bright moonlight, to admire the moon. Some may head to parks, lakesides, or hilltops, or even set up tents in their own courtyards while enjoying mooncakes. The moon symbolizes reunion and family, making moon-gazing a way to express feelings for loved ones.
Lantern Display
Illuminating colorful lanterns is another traditional activity during the Mid-Autumn Festival. People hang a variety of lanterns at home or outdoors, each with different shapes and colors, creating a beautiful display. These lanterns often feature motifs like animals, flowers, and cranes, symbolizing good fortune and happiness. At night, the lanterns’ radiance brightens up the entire city, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Mid-Autumn Park Fairs
Some places host Mid-Autumn park fairs, providing a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to gather. At these fairs, people can savor a wide range of delicacies, watch captivating cultural performances, and even participate in various traditional activities like folk dances, martial arts displays, and crafting traditional handicrafts. These park fairs offer a joyful entertainment venue for people to come together during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Traditional Family Activities
Apart from the mentioned activities, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a significant occasion for family reunions. Families come together to prepare a sumptuous dinner and enjoy various delicacies such as roast duck, sticky rice dumplings, and a variety of flavored mooncakes. Amid the atmosphere of family reunion, people share joy and reminisce about cherished moments from the past.
In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not just about eating mooncakes; it features numerous other engaging activities that allow people to celebrate the importance of reunion and family. Whether it’s moon-gazing, lantern displays, attending park fairs, or participating in riddle guessing, these activities make the Mid-Autumn Festival a joyous and heartwarming occasion, enabling people to create unforgettable memories with their loved ones and friends.
Now that you’ve had an overview of the Mid-Autumn Festival, how will you be celebrating it this year?
