Guide To Celebrating Mid Autumn Festival In Hong Kong In 2024

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL HISTORY

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture at the end of the fall harvest.

The history of when it was first celebrated goes back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC) to when it first appeared in Rites of Zhou, in which it was mentioned that the royal family would offer sacrifices to the Moon Goddess to thank for a good harvest.

But it only started to gain popularity during the Tang dynasty between 618–907 CE. According to Chinese folklore, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang started to hold formal celebrations in his home after exploring the Moon Palace. After that, it began to catch on, and commoners also started nightly celebrations in honor of the moon goddess.

By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Mid-Autumn festival had become the main festival, second only to Chinese New Year.

THE HISTORY OF MOONCAKES AND WHERE TO BUY THEM IN HONG KONG?

Mooncakes are one of the key traditions of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Chinese culture, a round shape symbolizes completeness and reunion. So sharing round mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival signifies the unity of families.

According to Chinese legend, mooncakes originated during the Yuan Dynasty, when Mongolia ruled China. The leaders from the preceding Sung Dynasty decided to rebel against foreign rule. They ordered the making of special cakes during the Moon Festival to put a message into each mooncake with details of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebel leaders overthrew the government and successfully established the Ming Dynasty.

Traditional mooncakes are made of ground lotus and egg yolk, but nowadays, there are more and more innovative mooncake flavors and designs. Check out our rundown of the hottest mooncakes to try this year:

• Kid-Friendly Mooncakes To Try In 2023 - Click here!

TOP EVENTS DURING MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL IN HONG KONG

Go ahead and allow the little ones to stay up late for one night to celebrate the Moon Festival by lighting a lantern under the full moon. You can find traditional paper lanterns in Causeway Bay Market or battery-powered plastic lanterns in Shum Shui Po. Visit the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival at Victoria Park or check out the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance - we've got the deets on all the festivities here. Have fun!

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL EVENTS FOR FAMILIES 2023:

Lantern Festivals For Mid-Autumn Festival In Hong Kong:

• Urban Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival: Victoria Park 
  • Lantern Displays will be available from September 23 - October 2, 6:30pm - 11pm (extended to midnight on September 29, 2023)
  • Theme for 2023: Chinese Delights in Full Splendour; the lantersn will be themed around the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar. A major attraction is a gigantic lantern in the shape of the floral board at bamboo shed theaters.
  • Transportation Victoria Park: MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit E, walk along Great George Street to the park; or MTR Tin Hau Station Exit A2, turn left at the exit and enter the park from Hing Fat Street.

• New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival: Sha Tin Park
  • Lantern Displays will be available from September 23 - October 2, 6:30pm - 11pm (extended to midnight on September 29, 2023)
  • Theme for 2023: Happy Reunion by the Riverside where the waterside park will be welcome a wide array of lanterns taking the shape of rabbits and other adorable animals. There will be Chinese handicraft demonstrations, lantern riddles as well as music and dance shows.
  • Youth Night will be held on September 27, 2023 from 7:30pm-9pm where youth groups will take part in performances
  • Gala Night will be held on September 28, 2023 from 7:30pm-10pm
• New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival: Tuen Mun Park

• • Lantern Displays will be available from September 23 - October 2, 6:30pm - 11pm (extended to midnight on September 29, 2023)
  • Theme for 2023: Lotus Pond Under The Full Moon where Tuen Mun Park will be transformed and feature flowers in full bloom amid dancing butterflies. There will be Chinese handicraft demonstrations, lantern riddles as well as music and dance shows.
  • Youth Night will be held on September 29, 2023 from 7:30pm-9pm where youth groups will take part in performances
  • Gala Night will be held on September 30, 2023 from 7:30pm-10pm
• Pok Fu Lam Village Fire Dragon Dance
  • Fiery dragons will be dancing from the village to the sea at this beautiful event, held on 28 & 29 September, 2023 from 6:30pm to 11: 45pm. Best vantage point is the entrance to Pok Fu Lam village.

More Mid-Autumn Festival Things To Do In Hong Kong: 

• Mid-Autumn Festival Weekend Market At The Hong Kong Observation Wheel & AIA Vitality Park
  • What: A night market celebrating all things Mid-Autumn, with delicious cooked food, lantern displays, games stalls, live music and more fun for the whol family!
  • When: September 29 - October 2, 2023
  • Where: Hong Kong Observation Wheel & AIA Vitality Park
• Glowing Bunnies in Discovery Bay
  • What: 80 glowing bunnies have taken over the DB piazza providing some cute Mid-Autumn photo opportunities for the whole family! Dine at one of the participating restaurants nearby for special Mid-Autumn offers and goodies.
  • When: September 22 - October 8, 2023
  • Where: Discovery Bay Plaza
• Dear Luna At The Lake House
  • What: Perfect for the kids, enjoy the festivities at the Lake House's picturesque setting perfectly decorated for Mid-Autumn while enjoying a paddle boat tour. You even get a wishing water lantern.
  • When: 21 September - October 2, 2023
  • Where: 2 Hung Lam Drive Hong Kong Tai Po Kau, Hong Kong
• Moon Fest Lumiere At Lee Tung Avenue
  • What: Walk along this iconic avenue which will be adorned with over 800 colorful Chinese lanterns in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. There will also be fire dragon dances,  family-friendly workshops suitable for kids aged 8 and above, mini lantern giveaways, charity pop-up markets and Chinese music performances. Click here for more information.
  • When: now - October 23, 2023
  • Where: Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
• Little Nature Wanderlust's Mid-Autumn Festival Sensory workshops
  • What: engage your little one through sensory play and Mid-Autumn-themed workshops and celebrations thanks to Little Nature Wanderlust. Thye will be hosting mooncake workshop, DIY rabbit lantern making and yoga fun at multiple venues across Hong Kong. Book your spot now to avoid disappointment! Suitable for ages ranging less than a year to 6 years old.
  • When: September 25-30, 2023
  • Where: multiple venues across Hong Kong, https://www.instagram.com/littlenaturewanderlust/