Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 — A Celebration of Reunion, Moonlight, and Tradition in China

This is a nationwide public holiday, observed from bustling urban centers to rural villages. Cultural institutions, schools, companies, and families prepare days in advance to observe the traditions and symbolism of the full moon.

The core values of the festival include:

Celebrating family and togetherness under the full moon

Giving thanks for the year's harvest and blessings

Honoring the moon as a symbol of peace, femininity, and completeness

Retelling ancient tales, such as Chang’e and Hou Yi

Emphasizing intergenerational values and cultural continuity

The festival bridges generations. Children participate in lantern crafting, elders pass down stories and customs, while businesses send out gift boxes to clients and employees. It’s both a deeply personal and socially shared holiday.

Traditional customs include:

Eating mooncakes filled with lotus seed paste, red bean, mixed nuts, or salted egg yolks

Lantern processions and displays, from paper to LED-lit designs in animal or mythological shapes

Family feasts, either at home or in restaurants, accompanied by tea and sweets

Moon appreciation rituals, typically outdoors in gardens, terraces, or parks

Gift-giving, especially corporate mooncake boxes, tea, and seasonal fruits

Cultural performances and poetry readings in schools and public venues

The festival is celebrated everywhere — in intimate household gatherings, public lantern shows, school workshops, and city-wide cultural fairs. It is both solemn and festive.

Though there is no single organizer, the festival is a key part of China’s intangible cultural heritage. It is recognized and supported by government institutions, local communities, educational centers, and private enterprises.