CN Ongoing

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China's most significant traditional holidays, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. In 2026, the festival falls on September 25, with mainland China observing a three-day public holiday through September 27. Often called the Moon Festival or Festival of Reunion, it centers on family gatherings, admiring the full moon, and sharing traditional pastries known as mooncakes.

Date
Sep 25-27, 2026
Location
People's Republic of China
Status
Ongoing
Lunar date
Âm lịch
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Mid-Autumn Festival

Event summary

Highlights

  • Family reunion dinners and moon-gazing ceremonies
  • Consumption of traditional Cantonese and Suzhou-style mooncakes
  • China Media Group (CMG) 2026 Gala in Huainan City, Anhui
  • Nationwide display of paper and silk lanterns
The festival is deeply rooted in agricultural traditions and lunar worship, symbolizing completeness and togetherness. For 2026, the celebration is characterized by significant travel activity as the dates precede the National Day Golden Week. Traditional observances include family reunion dinners, moon-gazing ceremonies, and the display of intricate lanterns, particularly in the Guangdong and Fujian regions. Culinary traditions remain focused on mooncakes, which range from traditional Cantonese lotus paste varieties to flaky Suzhou-style pastries and modern fruit-based versions.

A major highlight of the 2026 festivities is the China Media Group (CMG) Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, which was recorded in Huainan City, Anhui Province. The production utilized an 18-meter-diameter mobile moon stage and showcased cultural heritage such as Huagudeng folk dance and the 24 solar terms. In Shanghai, specific local celebrations were held in the Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, involving folk songs and lantern processions.

Contemporary trends also influence the holiday, notably the popularity of specialized moon-viewing flights. In 2026, thousands of domestic flights were scheduled to provide passengers with unobstructed views of the moon from above the clouds. Meanwhile, iconic locations such as West Lake in Hangzhou and the canal districts of Suzhou continue to be primary destinations for ground-based moon-gazing.

Practical details

Location described by the source
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
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People's Republic of China

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