Despite the temperature still regularly hitting the 30’s and things not feeling particularly autumnal at all, the middle of September to early October is when the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated across many Asian countries, including Hong Kong.
Based on the lunar calendar, this moon-centric holiday also goes by the name Moon Festival or Lantern festival. The holiday occurs on September 17 this year and it’s a great time to experience some culture, tradition, colors, and delicious snacks. So needless to say, the city-wide celebrations are highly anticipated by locals and visitors alike.
Note: Outdoor events are subject to adverse weather changes and could be canceled on the day.
What does Mid-Autumn Festival celebrate
Details as to exactly when and how Mid-Autumn festival began are hazy with records depicting moon worship first appearing around 3000 years ago. It is, however, believed to have become an officially recognized celebration during the Tang Dynasty (612-907 AD). This was when the emperors would prepare grand feasts for the moon as thanks for the year’s harvest.
The origin behind the festival is weaved out of folklore and there are several versions that have been passed down over the years. The most popular is the tale of Chang’e and Hou Yi. It goes that in a time when there were 10 suns burning everything on earth to a crisp, a brave archer, Hou Yi used his bow and arrow to shoot down all but one of the suns, saving everyone and their crops. He was granted an immortality elixir as a reward, which his wife ended up consuming.
Now immortal and weightless, Chang’e floated up until she reached the moon. There she would stay for eternity as the moon goddess with her rabbit companion (hence all the rabbit motifs you’ll see around the festival). Hou Yi spotted her shape within the moon one night and presented cakes and fruit to the moon to convey how much he missed her. From then on, people have gathered under the moon to make offerings and celebrate the seasonal harvest.
What do you usually do on Mid-Autumn Festival?
Today, Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to gather and celebrate the moon whilst wishing for good fortune, health, and luck. The moon is said to symbolize reunion, so it’s a significant time to be with your loved ones.
Mid-Autumn Festival is officially celebrated on the evening of the festival, but people often gather the night before to start welcoming in the full moon. The day after is a public holiday, so some businesses may be closed. Then on the third day, the old moon is farewelled and admired one final time.
After a celebratory meal, families usually go outside loaded with fruit and snacks. Children get to stay up late and will be equipped with colorful lanterns. It’s hit and miss each year as to how clear the moon will be, depending on the weather and air quality, but the popular places in the city with unobstructed views are Victoria Park, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, West Kowloon Art Park, Tamar Park, and HK Park.
If you want an even clearer view with a lot less light pollution, head to a beach such as Stanley beach or South Bay. Most beaches on HK Island are easy to access via bus or taxi, meaning you can get home easily.
Traditional foods are a big part of the holiday, namely moon cakes and glutinous rice dumplings. The delicious dumplings are round or “complete” in shape, and the name is a homophone for togetherness and unity. Moon cakes are also steeped in tradition. The round shape shares the same symbolism for unity and the salted egg yolk inside represents the moon. It is also believed that mooncakes were once used to smuggle messages to organize the Ming rebellion against the Mongolians.
Mid-Autumn Festival events and activities in Hong Kong
Most of the events tied around Mid-Autumn Festival tend to be free, which is great. But they’re also outdoors, which can be hot or rainy, so hopefully the weather behaves this year.
Admire the Moon
Free16 & 17 September, 2024
Various locations across HK
The most common activity is to either head to the beach or one of the above mentioned parks. Both options will involve a lot of people, but if you get to the beach early enough there’s plenty of space to set up your picnic spot for the night. Beaches such as Repulse Bay, South Bay, Stanley, St Stephens, Chum Hum Kok, Deep Water Bay, and Big Wave Bay are all dotted around HK Island. They are easy to reach by bus or taxi from Central, Wan Chai, or Causeway Bay MTR station. The majority of the parks are within walking distances of MTR or bus stations too, just be mindful that things will be busy so plan your journey accordingly.
For more about local beaches, check out our guide to Hong Kong beaches.
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance
Free16 & 18 Sept. 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; 17 Sept. 10:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Tai Hang, Causeway Bay. Check the parade route map for details
The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance dates back to 140 years ago. It’s one of the best examples of an element of Hong Kong’s rich culture. Once a hakka village, Tai Hang had a run of bad luck leading up to one Mid-Autumn Festival with a disastrous typhoon, followed by a plague, and then a livestock gobbling python.
A village elder was visited in a dream by Buddha who said the only way to end their misfortune was to perform a fire dragon dance for 3 days and nights. The village did exactly that and they were never cursed with bad luck again. These days the village may look quite different, but the ritual still remains. Since 2011, it has been listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The immense dragon structure is illuminated with over 10,000 burning incense sticks attached as it is paraded through the neighborhood by 300 performers. It’s definitely something worth checking out, but get down to Tai Hang early as this is an extremely popular event with locals and tourists alike, especially around Wun Sha Street which has the best views.
Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern Display
FreeSept. 12-18, lanterns are lit up from 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., extended to midnight on the 17
Victoria Park, Causeway Bay
There are huge lantern displays across Hong Kong around the week of the festival, but the most impressive one is in Victoria Park. Massive lantern structures festoon the park, depicting various scenes. There’s also food and craft stalls and often there’s usually a dragon dance.
Mid-Autumn festival drone show
Free17 Sept., evening
Anywhere with a good view of the harbor
Over the last few years, the HK Tourism board has been putting on stunning drone shows for various festive events. It’s all part of a drive to encourage more tourists to experience cultural holidays here. And, this years Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception. Held above Victoria Harbor, the show can be viewed from anywhere along the water front on HK side, Kowloon, or Tsim Sha Tsui. The crowds will be heaving so you may want to get there a few hours early to secure a decent spot.
If you’re not so keen on the crowds, you could head up to the Peak and walk along the trail that circles the top, but if visibility is not great on the day, it may not be as impressive from up there.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
