The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节), is a traditional festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, characterized by a full moon appearing at night. In 2022, the Mid-Autumn Festival will be observed on September 10th, 2022.

Being a festival with comparable importance and popularity to the Spring Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival originated as a harvest festival thousands of years ago, where people showed appreciation for the full moon. Ancient legends about the Moon, such as goddess Chang’e (嫦娥) Flying to the Moon, also adds a mystic layer to the festival.

What are the traditions for the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Over the course of history, the Mid-Autumn Festival has evolved to become a festivity important for family reunions and other fun activities such as moon-gazing, making lanterns, and enjoying mooncakes (月饼).

One of the hallmark traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival certainly evolves around mooncakes, due to symbolism for family unity coming from this delicious pastry’s round shape in its most traditional making. The fillings of mooncakes can vary regionally; the most popular ones include five nuts (五仁), lotus seed paste (莲蓉), and red bean paste (红豆沙). Mooncakes are usually enjoyed with tea, but in combination with osmanthus wine (桂花酒), a Chinese alcoholic drink, is also a traditional choice that complements the sweet flavors of mooncakes.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Canada

The Mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated by Chinese Canadians, who would share mooncakes either purchased from local grocery stores or made at home with family. This year, CCCGT will also be celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival concurrently with the 22nd Imperial Ball on September 10th!