Events

7 Ways to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Take part in an ancient Chinese tradition—giving thanks to the full moon and a bountiful harvest—at these seven Moon Festival events happening across the West.

By Kaitlyn Funk /

Take part in an ancient Chinese tradition€”giving thanks to the full moon and a bountiful harvest€”at these seven Moon Festival events happening across the West.

Dating back more than 3,000 years, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is intended to celebrate the full moon that occurs in the eighth month of the Chinese calendar. This year’s festival takes takes place September 27, and a handful of cities across the West will be celebrating with live entertainment, lantern parades and mooncake feasts.

Vancouver

Autumn Celebration Tea Service, until September 31The Urban Tea Merchant will be celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with a special high-tea, complete with slow cooked pork belly, tea-infused moon cookies, and of course, mooncake. The store also has a selection of specialty teas available for the occasion, including TWG’s Silver Moon (a light and delicious blend specifically made to pair with mooncakes) and Singapore Breakfast. urbantea.com.Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival, September 26The thirteenth annual event, presented by the Still Moon Arts Society and the Renfrew Park Community Association, includes a harvest fair and twilight lantern walk among other festivities. Still Moon Arts has also organized a variety of workshops leading up to the main event. stillmoon.org.MoonFestival_UrbanTeaMerchantsMoon Festival Brunch, September 27Café Pacifica at the Pan Pacific will be celebrating the harvest with a Chinese-inspired brunch buffet that includes cucumber and Asian pear salad, pork dumplings, and five-spice duck breast. Mooncakes, rice pudding and a selection of other sweets will also be available at the dessert table. panpacific.com.Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, September 27Learn about ancient Chinese traditions, feast on mooncakes and listen to local storytellers at this year’s celebration. The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre will also be there to help you to experience the harvest moon’s lunar eclipse. vancouverchinesegarden.com.

White Rock

White Rock Moon Festival, September 25–26500 lanterns will line the pier and promenade for this two-day event featuring live entertainment, vendors and a fireworks display at White Rock’s West beach. inwhiterock.com.MoonFestival_Illuminasia

Edmonton

Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, September 19After you’ve had your fill of martial arts and lantern making, follow the Lion Dance Parade and give thanks to the harvest by launching your Wishing Boats in the waters outside City Hall. Food trucks (including Street Eats and Attila the Hungry) and other vendors will also be in attendance. edmonton.ca.

Calgary

Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival, September 17–November 1Although not directly related to the Moon Festival, Calgary Zoo’s Illuminasia gives you another reason to celebrate Chinese culture. Tiger, zebra and panda varieties will be among the more than 350 lanterns displayed throughout the grounds. illuminasiacalgaryzoo.com.

Kaitlyn Funk

Kaitlyn Funk

Kaitlyn is a design-obsessed writer, editor and content manager based in Vancouver. When she's not busy swooning over gorgeous homes, you can find her reading, hiking and befriending as many dogs as possible.