Chinese lanterns for Mid-Autumn Festival celebration

When the moon joins the party. Mid-Autumn Festival

What if the full moon were the guest of honour at your family dinner? That is the idea behind the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, it is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. Its roots trace back more than 3,000 years to moon-honouring rituals during the Zhou Dynasty. Its best-known legend tells of Chang'e, who drank an elixir of immortality and rose to the moon.

Mooncakes are the celebration's signature treat. Their round shape symbolises completeness and reunion. Across Canada, the festival is celebrated by Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and other Asian communities, particularly in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. Families and friends gather to give thanks, share mooncakes, admire the full moon, light lanterns and enjoy cultural events. Canadian communities have also hosted celebrations featuring lantern-making, storytelling, performances and mooncake tastings. With legends, lanterns and mooncakes, this festival has plenty to look up to.