A Simple Guide to the Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore
If you’re a tourist or a total beginner to the city’s festive occasions, this simple guide to Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Singapore might come in handy for you. Let’s start by explaining what it is!
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival marks the end of the autumn harvest, so it’s a thanksgiving celebration for the gods.
Furthermore, it’s typically celebrated when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, so many lunar legends are connected to this occasion.
However, mooncakes are probably the main stars of this cultural affair. The mooncake’s circular shape is said to be a symbol of completeness and togetherness.
For this reason, this festival is also a way for families and friends to gather and spend some time together.
When’s the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated?
The Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese lunar calendar’s 8th month. This means that if you use the Gregorian calendar, the date will typically fall from mid-September to early October.
In China, this festive occasion lasts for three days, but it’s not an official public holiday in Singapore, so it’s only celebrated for one day.
How is Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated in Singapore?
There’s so much more to enjoy besides delectable mooncakes during the Mid-autumn Festival.
To give you an insight as to how Singaporeans celebrate this occasion, here’s a short guide.
Sending and receiving colorful mooncakes.
Mid-Autumn Festival is about expressing gratitude to the people around you so sending and receiving well-decorated mooncakes in themed boxes or airtight containers is pretty common on this occasion.
Some people even use their own arsenal of kitchen equipment such as ovens, stand mixers, and fancy mooncake molds to whip up their version of a mooncake.
You can also pair mooncakes with other popular Mid-Autumn presents such as flowers, tea, fruit basket, or other personalized gifts and gift hampers.
Having family reunions or public get-togethers.
Having simple get-togethers with friends and families is popular during the celebration of the Moon Festival because the moon’s roundness is said to be a symbol of unity and reunion.
Some people prefer to enjoy some high tea, while others dine in Chinese restaurants or restaurants with views to munch on some mooncakes while gazing at the full and bright moon.
Hanging and lighting lanterns with your family.
This activity is a real star for kids and kids at heart because the lanterns come in various shapes, designs, and sizes. Once you pick the lantern you want, you can write good wishes or prayers for health, love, education, career, and others.
You can hang the lanterns on trees or in your house. Some people also prefer to light the lanterns and let them fly up into the sky or float on rivers.