Traditional Moon Cakes are an Important Part of Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations in Asia.
Unlike other Mid-Autumn Festivals that take place in spots like Hong Kong and Taiwan, which are only celebrated on the days surrounding the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore runs for just over a month.
Singapore has a large Chinatown and Chinese community that helps bring this large celebration to life each year. It is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Singapore and features live performances, captivating lantern displays, and, of course, great food. It is often compared to a Chinese version of Thanksgiving, where families get together and enjoy festive foods and drinks that represent family unity and togetherness.
Be sure to sample some of these traditional Mid-Autumn Festival foods, especially the moon cakes. Historically, moon cakes contained egg yolks and lotus seeds, but you will see a variety of ingredients used today, including sweet potatoes and chocolate.
Mid-Autumn Festival falls on a different date each year, which coincides with the Lunar Calendar. Here’s a look at some of the festivities that take place during a typical Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore.
Official Opening and Light Up Ceremony
On opening day, there is grand Opening Ceremony and the Official Street Light-Up. Look for live entertainment like dragon dance performances and multi-cultural singers and dancers. Troupes are even brought in from overseas from Taiwan and mainland China. The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display.
Lantern Making Competition
Workshops teach the art and skill needed to make Chinese paper lanterns. The lantern workshops are open to all, and the Lantern Making Competition is a chance for people to showcase their creativity and learned skill in the art of lantern making.
Festive Bazaar and Carnival
Over 300 festival stalls are active during the Mid-Autumn Festive Bazaar and Carnival. Look for traditional products like moon cakes, pomelos, lanterns, handicrafts, tea and more.
Street Light Up
Check out the nightly “Street Light Up” where flower-themed decorations in Chinatown are adorned with various colorful lanterns. New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, South Bridge Road and the inner streets of Chinatown are the spots to hit in order to see the beautiful lanterns at night.
Nightly Stage Show
For a portion of the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, there are nightly performances at Kreta Ayer Square. Look for local entertainers and troupes from mainland China performing Chinese cultural acts, folk songs, and dance numbers.
Mass Lantern Walk
One night during Mid-Autumn Festival there is a mass lantern walk that is open to the public. Wander down the street in Chinatown and enjoy the festive spirit while you enjoy a leisurely-paced stroll under the full moon.
Look to explore Singapore’s Chinatown more in depth? Consider a Chinatown food tour, morning walking tour, a nighttime Chinatown Trinshaw tour, or a more cultural Chinatown tour that includes a market tour and tea tasting.
— Contributed by Erin De Santiago
Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore from Singapore Things to Do
