Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Festival
2028Tuesday, October 3 – 5 Thursday
Quick Facts
- Date
- Tuesday, October 3, 2028 – 5 Thursday 2028
- Observed in
- China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore +2 more
- Type
- Cultural Holiday
What is Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiū Jié), also known as the Moon Festival, is one of China's most important traditional holidays. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest—usually in September or October.
The festival celebrates the harvest season and the full moon, which symbolizes reunion and completeness in Chinese culture. It is second only to Spring Festival in importance and is a time for families to gather, share mooncakes, and admire the moon together.
The round shape of the moon and mooncakes represents family unity and togetherness. For Chinese people around the world, Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to think of loved ones far away while gazing at the same moon.
When is Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Festival 2028?
Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Festival is on Tuesday, October 3 – 5 Thursday in 2028. Check the dates and days for other years in the table below.
History & Origin
The Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, with origins tracing back to moon worship rituals during the Shang Dynasty. Ancient Chinese emperors worshipped the moon in autumn to thank it for the harvest.
The most famous legend associated with the festival is the story of Chang'e (嫦娥), the Moon Goddess. According to myth, Chang'e's husband Hou Yi shot down nine of ten suns that were scorching the earth. As a reward, he received an elixir of immortality. When a villain tried to steal it, Chang'e swallowed the elixir to prevent him and floated to the moon, where she has lived ever since.
The festival became widely celebrated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and was officially recognized as a public holiday in China in 2008. The tradition of eating mooncakes is believed to date from the Yuan Dynasty, when rebels hid messages in mooncakes to coordinate an uprising.
How It's Celebrated
Mooncakes (月饼, Yuèbǐng): These round pastries filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolk are the essential Mid-Autumn food. Traditional mooncakes are dense and sweet; modern variations include ice cream, fruit, and chocolate fillings.
Moon Gazing (赏月, Shǎngyuè): Families gather outdoors to admire the full moon, often from balconies, parks, or scenic spots. The activity symbolizes family reunion—even if family members are apart, they can look at the same moon.
Carrying Lanterns: Children carry colorful lanterns while walking around neighborhoods or parks. Traditional lanterns are made of paper, while modern ones often feature cartoon characters.
Eating Pomelos: These large citrus fruits are seasonal during Mid-Autumn and their name sounds similar to "blessing" in Chinese dialects. Children often wear pomelo peels as hats.
Burning Incense: Some families burn incense to worship the moon, praying for good fortune.
Fire Dragon Dances: In Hong Kong's Tai Hang district, a spectacular fire dragon dance takes place over three nights.
Where It's Observed
Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Festival is a public holiday in 4 countries. In 2028, it falls on Tuesday, October 3 – 5 Thursday.
Fun Facts
- Mooncakes are often elaborately packaged—luxury boxes account for nearly half the price of premium mooncakes
- The famous legend says Chang'e is accompanied on the moon by a jade rabbit who makes medicine
- Hong Kong's fire dragon dance in Tai Hang uses 70,000 incense sticks and is UNESCO-listed
- Traditional mooncakes have exactly 4 yolks to represent the four phases of the moon
- In 2013, Chinese spacecraft were named after Chang'e, the Moon Goddess
- Mooncakes were originally used to hide secret messages during the Yuan Dynasty rebellion
- Some modern mooncakes contain truffle, foie gras, or even Wagyu beef
- The festival date can range from September 8 to October 7 depending on the lunar calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Mid-Autumn Festival?
Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, typically in September or October. The exact date changes each year based on the lunar calendar.
What are mooncakes?
Mooncakes are round pastries traditionally filled with lotus seed paste or red bean paste, often with a salted duck egg yolk in the center. They symbolize family reunion and are essential to the festival.
Why is the moon important in this festival?
The full moon symbolizes reunion, completeness, and family togetherness in Chinese culture. The round shape represents unity. Families gather to admire the moon together, and even when apart, they can see the same moon.
Who is Chang'e?
Chang'e is the Moon Goddess in Chinese mythology. Legend says she swallowed an elixir of immortality and floated to the moon, where she has lived ever since with a jade rabbit. She is closely associated with Mid-Autumn Festival.
Is Mid-Autumn Festival a public holiday?
Yes, since 2008 it has been a three-day public holiday in mainland China. It's also a public holiday in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and observed in other Asian countries.
What's the best way to experience Mid-Autumn Festival?
Join a moon-gazing gathering with family or friends, eat mooncakes, carry lanterns, and attend local cultural events. In Hong Kong, watch the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance; in Taiwan, release sky lanterns in Pingxi.
Travel Inspiration
Planning a trip around Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Festival? Explore our travel guides for destinations where this holiday is celebrated.
