What lies behind the Chinese Moon Festival and its traditions

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On 6 October 2025, millions of people in Asia and around the world will celebrate the Moon Festival – one of China’s most important and atmospheric traditional festivals. It is all about family, gratitude, and the beauty of the full moon.

The Moon Festival is celebrated every year on the 15th day of the eighth month according to the traditional calendar – a time when the full moon appears particularly round and bright. In Chinese culture, the moon is considered a symbol of perfection and family unity. This is why it is especially important to get together with loved ones on this day – or at least to be with them in spirit.

In honour of the moon goddess

Many customs surrounding the Moon Festival can be traced back to a famous legend: the story of a woman who ascended to the moon out of love and sacrifice and has lived there ever since – separated from her husband on Earth. This story is often told as a symbol of longing, memory, and the strength of family ties and is an integral part of the cultural tradition of the festival.

What traditional moon cakes are all about

One of the best-known traditions is that of giving and eating moon cakes together – small, round pastries with sweet or savoury fillings. The round shape represents unity and cohesion. Moon cakes are often elaborately decorated and chosen with great care, whether as gifts or for the family feast.

Lanterns and seas of lights

Another integral part of the Moon Festival are colourful lanterns that decorate houses, streets, and parks. Children especially love to walk around with lanterns in the shape of animals or fantasy creatures. Some lanterns contain riddles that can be solved – an entertaining tradition that brings young and old together. In some regions, lanterns are also released into the sky or onto the water, often with personal wishes attached.

China’s diverse customs

Depending on the region, the Moon Festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of China:

In large cities such as Beijing or Shanghai, families gather in parks or on balconies to gaze at the moon together.
In Hong Kong, a giant fire dragon dances through the streets – a spectacular ritual that originally developed to ward off misfortune.
In Hangzhou, people gather by the river to witness an impressive natural phenomenon: a huge tidal wave that coincides with the full moon.

Mondfest Cr Adrian Siaril via unsplash 2

Where the Moon Festival is still celebrated

The Moon Festival is also of great importance outside China, especially in regions with strong cultural ties:

In Vietnam, it is a joyful children’s festival with lantern parades, masks, and lion dances.
In Korea, the harvest festival Chuseok is celebrated on the same days, with family visits and traditional rice cakes.
In Taiwan, it is customary to barbecue outdoors – a relatively new but very popular custom.
In Japan, the Moon Festival is more of a quiet, poetic celebration that goes by the name Tsukimi, where people gaze at the moon and serve rice cakes.

A timeless festival with a touching meaning

Despite all the regional differences, the Moon Festival always centres on one idea: the longing for closeness, belonging, and peace. As the full moon shines brightly in the sky, many people around the world feel connected to one another – regardless of where they live. It is a moment of silence, gratitude, and hope.