Mid Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival, celebrated in most East Asian countries. It is the second most important festival in China after Chinese New Year. To the Chinese, the festival means family reunion and peace.

Who celebrates?

East and South East Asian people around the world.

How do people celebrate?

• Lanterns are carried and displayed to lead people to good luck
• Families will sit down and eat dinner together including sweet pastries called Mooncakes are eaten
• Families get together to celebrate and some cultures will also give gifts to friends and relatives.

What should I know?

• The festival takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar with full moon at night
• It is also called the Moon Festival as it is celebrated when the moon is believed to be the biggest and fullest.
• In Japan it is known as Tsukimi and in Korea as Chuseok
• Different countries and regions may celebrate Mid Autumn festival differently

How can I support others?

• Ask people if they or their families will be celebrating
• Encourage celebrations internally and externally
• Talk to your team about the religious representation among your volunteer, employee and service user population and if it’s representative of your area.

The video story of Mid-Autumn festival: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mid+autumn+festival

Mooncake recipe: https://tasteasianfood.com/mooncake-recipe/

BBC: Mid-Autumn festival: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zjkc92p/articles/zts8g7h