Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, or the Moon cake Festival in China and other East Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Singapore. Since the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE), the festival has been held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, usually in late September or early October of Gregorian calendar, when the autumn moon is full at night.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is the second most important holiday in Chinese culture after the Chinese New Year. To the Chinese, a full moon is a symbol of reunion, harmony, and happiness. It's said the moon is the brightest and roundest on this day which means family reunion and harmony. Mooncake is one of the most characteristic festival foods. In Chinese culture, a round shape symbolizes completeness and reunion. Thus, the sharing and eating of round mooncakes among family members during the week of the festival signifies the completeness and unity of families.

The Mid-Autumn holiday schedule from 2018 to 2023:
Year /Date
2018 /Monday, September 24
2019 /Friday, September 13
2020 /Thursday, October 1
2021 /Tuesday, September 21
2022 /Saturday, September 10
2023 /Friday, September 29

CAWM has organized the local Chinese community to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival annually for decades. The event allows members and friends to celebrate and promote Chinese culture, new members of the community to introduce themselves, children to solve riddles and enjoy the clown/magic show, and adults to share their summer fun experience and stories with each other. More importantly, mooncakes will be served along with other traditional and delicious Chinese cuisines. Sometimes traditional Chinese singing and dancing are being added as part of the celebration.