The Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 (also known as Mooncake Festival), which falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is one of the most important festivals for the Chinese community around the world.
And this year's Festival falls on 4 October 2017, a Wednesday. What this means is that the bulk of the Mid-Autumn activities will be taking place on the weekend of 30 September and 1 October. But actually, some of the family-friendly activities are in fact starting THIS WEEKEND (23 & 24 Sep)!
The Mid-Autumn Festival is all about spending time with the family, parading lanterns and of course, gorging on mooncakes, what better way to spend these 2 following weekends than to get those lanterns ready, head out and bring the kiddos down to the following festivities.
Depending on your preference, there are five to choose from:
#1 If you wish to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with humongous colourful lantern displays, including a spectacular light and sound show:
Mid-Autumn @ Gardens by the Bay
Now until 8 Oct 2017
6pm - 11pm
Gardens by the Bay
FREE
A much-anticipated event in the Gardens' calendar, Mid-Autumn @ Gardens by the Bay draws visitors with its large-scale lantern displays and myriad festivities amidst a lush garden setting.
This year, the Gardens celebrates autumn abundance with lantern sets symbolic of bountiful harvests and good fortune, nightly cultural performances, a food street featuring Asian delights, and craft booths offering activities like lantern decorating, umbrella painting and Chinese knotting.
LANTERN DISPLAY
22 Sep - 8 Oct 2017 | 7pm - 11pm
Outdoor: Golden Garden, Canopy, Floral Clock, Supertree Grove, Dragonfly Lake, Dragonfly Bridge & Bayfront Plaza | Indoor: Flower Dome*
*Admission charge to the conservatories applies.
Take a stroll through the outdoor gardens where sprawling lantern sets bring to life scenes of bountiful harvests and abundance. Don't miss "Waters of Prosperity", the largest lantern display created by the Gardens to date. Spanning an area of 1,250 square metres over water, this lantern set portrays a fishing village teeming with 70 carp-shaped lanterns.
Other highlights include "Grains of Gold", a paddy field illuminated with 4,000 glowing rice stalks; "Splendour of Blooms" featuring some 250 waterlily-shaped lanterns floating on the lake; and "Flight of the Dragonflies" with more than 100 dragonfly-shaped lanterns adorning the Supertrees. The lanterns dotting the outdoor gardens continue inside Flower Dome as part of the "Autumn Harvest" floral display; look out for a plethora of fruit and vegetable-shaped lanterns including a giant pumpkin-shaped one!
FUN ZONE
22 Sep - 8 Oct 2017 | 6pm - 9.30pm | Supertree Grove
Try your hand at arts and crafts like lantern decorating, umbrella painting and Chinese knotting at the interactive craft booths. Booths include: Lantern decorating, Umbrella Painting, Chinese knots, Glowsticks and Balloons.
BLOSSOMING HARVEST (TRADITIONAL ARTS SHOWCASE)
22 Sep - 8 Oct 2017 | Mon - Thur: 8pm to 8.45pm; Fri - Sun: 7pm - 7.45pm, 8pm - 8.45pm | Supertree Grove
*Special performance on a 40-foot trailer on 29 Sep & 4 Oct, 9pm
Presented in partnership with the National Arts Council, "Blossoming Harvest" is a series of free cultural performances held nightly at the Supertree Grove. A display of local traditional arts groups, be prepared to be enthralled by elegant traditional music and dance performances. Our young talents will also be presenting contemporary interpretations of traditional forms.
ILLUMINATIONS OF JOY
22 Sep - 18 Oct | 7pm - 11pm | Silver Garden
The Silver Garden comes aglow with some 1,000 light installations created by beneficiaries from 30 social service organisations in Singapore. Illuminations of Joy celebrates a bicultural festival of lights with a display that will run from Mid-Autumn to Deepavali in the Gardens.
GARDEN RHAPSODY: TALES OF THE MOON
22 Sep - 31 Oct 2017 | 7.45pm and 8.45pm | Supertree Grove
For this special Mid-Autumn edition, the light and sound show will showcase spectacular lights like none before, and feature a medley of popular tunes that revolve around the moon, such as the jazz favourite 'Fly Me to the Moon' and the Chinese classic 'The Moon Represents my Heart' (月亮代表我的心). Immerse yourself in a breathtaking concoction of dancing lights from the Supertrees and evocative soundtracks beneath the gentle glow of the moon.
FOOD STREET
22 Sep - 8 Oct 2017 | 6pm - 9.30pm | Colonnade (Supertree Grove)
Indulge in a spread of Asian delights at Colonnade at Supertree Grove!
#2 If you wish to soak in the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere:
Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations 2017
Now until 19 Oct 2017
Various activities & timings
Chinatown
FREE
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| Photo courtesy of Belinda Tan |
Street Light-Up
23 Sep - 19 Oct 2017 | 7pm – 12mn (Sunday – Thursday) & 7pm – 2am (Friday & Saturday) | Along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road
Soak in the festivities and celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinatown, where traditional Chinese culture comes alive. Be enchanted by the flower-themed decorations of Chinatown as New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, South Bridge Road and the inner streets of Chinatown are adorned with colourful lanterns of varying shapes and sizes.
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| Photo courtesy of Belinda Tan |
Carnival: 20 September to 9 October 2017 | 11am – 10.30pm | Open Space In Front of People’s Park Complex
Street Stall: 20 September to 4 October 2017 | 10.30am – 10.30pm | Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Street and Smith Street
The full moon represents an auspicious symbol of abundance, harmony and prosperity. Chinese communities all over the world celebrate its appearance on this important occasion. During the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival, visitors can bask in the festivities, walk along the bustling festive street stalls and shop for festive goodies. Be spoilt for choice as over 300 festival stalls will offer a dazzling variety of festive treats like moon cakes, pomelos, lanterns, handicrafts, tea and more.
Mid-Autumn Family Fest @ Chinatown
24 September 2017 | 9.30am – 12.30pm | Kreta Ayer Community Club, Multi-purpose Hall (Level 2)
Gather around for the nightly performances at Kreta Ayer Square during the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. Even today, the Square remains a popular gathering point for local Chinese communities. Catch and be entertained by the animated and dynamic Chinese cultural acts, folk songs, and music and dance numbers by local entertainers and troupes from China.
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| Photo courtesy of Belinda Tan |
23 Sep - 4 Oct 2017 | 8.00pm – 10.30pm | Kreta Ayer Square
Gather around for the nightly performances at Kreta Ayer Square during the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. Even today, the Square remains a popular gathering point for local Chinese communities. Catch and be entertained by the animated and dynamic Chinese cultural acts, folk songs, and music and dance numbers by local entertainers and troupes from China.
Mass Lantern Walk
1 October 2017 | 7pm – 10pm | Starting Point: Kreta Ayer Square; Ending Point: Along New Bridge Road (Main Stage in front of Lucky Chinatown)
Enjoy a fun night out with family and friends with your creative lanterns – or dress up as one! – as you join in the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2017 Mass Lantern Walk that is open to the public. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit as you soak in the leisurely-paced lantern parade procession under the full moon and the dazzling displays around Chinatown. Don’t forget the impressive acts of the dragon dance troupes, energetic cheerleaders and the percussion band along the way! The lantern walk will conclude with stage performances and pyrotechnics display in the heart of Chinatown.
#3 If you wish to expose the little ones to Chinese traditional art forms:
Moonfest 2017
29 Sep - 4 Oct 2017; Various Timings
Esplanade
FREE and Ticketed events
Moonfest – A Mid-Autumn Celebration is an annual Chinese traditional arts festival held in celebration of the Mid-Autumn festival. Now in its 13th edition, Moonfest showcases the intrinsic beauty of traditional arts so that all may cherish our shared heritage in this increasingly tech-savvy world. The festival is also a great opportunity for parents and their children to get in touch with our roots and keep traditions alive. FREE activities include:
Meet the Mascots
29 Sep – 1 Oct 2017 | Various timings & locations around Esplanade
Chang E, Hou Yi and Mr Mooncake's appearance
29 Sep, Fri: 8.15pm (Waterfront) & 9.30pm (Concourse)
30 Sep, Sat: 5.30pm (Concourse), 7.15pm (Forecourt Garden) & 8.30pm (Concourse)
1 Oct, Sun: 5.30pm (Concourse), 6.45pm (Waterfront) & 8pm (Waterfront)
PIP’s appearance
30 Sep, Sat: 4.25pm (Concourse), 5.30pm (Concourse), 6.30pm (Outside Theatre Studio) & 7.15pm (Forecourt Garden)
Chang E, Hou Yi and Mr Mooncake are here at Esplanade to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with everybody! Our ever-lovable PIP will also make a special appearance on 30 Sep (Sat) too, and join in the fun at our lantern walkabout that evening.
Lantern Walkabout
30 Sep 2017 | 7.30pm | Esplanade Waterfront
Gather at the Forecourt Garden by 7.15pm
Enjoy a lovely stroll along the Esplanade Waterfront with your family and friends, joined by sprightly LED phoenixes and a dragon! Bring your favourite lantern or grab a free lantern sponsored by Moonfest Arts Partner Gold Roast Instant Beverages.
Craft Workshop: Pompom Jade Rabbit
30 Sep & 1 Oct 2017 | 2pm – 6pm | Esplanade Concourse
In the cold Moon Palace where Chang E resides, there is a little Jade Rabbit that accompanies her. Using yarn and simple materials, make your own little pompom Jade Rabbit to keep you company this Mid-Autumn!
Storytelling: Grandmother’s Tales
30 Sep – 1 Oct 2017 | Sat & Sun12.45pm, 3.15pm & 4.45pm | PIP's PLAYbox
12.45pm: Stories in English by Jasmine Xie
3.15pm & 4.45pm: Stories in Mandarin by Chang Tingwei
Wa si dio jiu nang. Hi, I am a Teochew, what about you? Come join Jasmine and Tingwei on a journey to find out more about Chinese dialect groups through a series of fun and engaging stories that were passed down from our grandmothers.
For a detailed listing of both free and ticketed activities, visit HERE.
#4 If you wish for the kids to learn more about the history and cultural significance of Mid-Autumn Festival all under one roof:
Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2017
30 Sep - 1 Oct 2017; 10am - 9.30pm
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
FREE
Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2017 presents an exciting weekend of festive offerings suitable for the young and young at heart, including heritage trails, guided tours, lantern walkabouts, craft workshops, and evening music performances ranging from the traditional to the contemporary. Join in the fun at Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2017 to learn more about the history and cultural significance of this much-loved Chinese festival!
Cellophane Lantern Workshop
Date: 1 Oct
Time: 2pm – 3pm (first session); 3.30pm – 4.30pm (second session)
Venue: Little Paradise Room (Level 1)
Complete your Mid-Autumn experience and have fun sculpting your very own cellophane lantern! Express your creativity in this traditional craft session and bring your lantern to life. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration required.
Fringe Activities
Date: 30 Sep – 1 Oct
Time: 12.30pm – 7.30pm
From caricature drawing to carnival games, there’s something for everyone at Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2017. Collect your activity passport at our Reception Desk and try your hand at our activities booths to win exclusive prizes! Activities include Houyi Archery Game, Caricature Drawing, Chinese Paper-cutting, and Mid-Autumn Virtual Lanterns by StarHub.
Storytelling
Date: 30 Sep – 1 Oct
Time: 5pm – 6pm (Mandarin); 6.30pm – 7.30pm (English)
Venue: Gallery 4 (Level 2)
Do you know why we eat mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival, or how the legend of Chang’E came to be? Explore the origins of Mid-Autumn Festival at this special interactive storytelling session and learn more about the connection between the Moon Goddess, Jade Rabbit, and our much-love mooncakes! No registration required. Story titles differ daily.
Evening Concert
Experience wonder and delight in this dynamic showcase of cultural and contemporary arts. From thrilling LED dragon dance performances to rockin’ ‘live’ bands and soothing instrumental sets, this is one concert that shouldn’t be missed.
LED Dragon Dance, Chinese Instrumental Ensemble, Wing Chun Martial Arts Show, Chinese Drums, NUS CAC Voices, LED Duo Diabolo
Date: 30 Sep
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
LED Duo Diabolo, Chinese Instrumental Ensemble
Date: 1 Oct
Time: 7.30pm – 8pm
Outdoor Movie Screening: The Lego Batman Movie
Date: 1 Oct
Time: 8pm – 9.30pm
Enjoy a movie under the stars – grab a seat on the lawn and catch an outdoor screening of The Lego Batman Movie.
#5 If you wish to just chill under the evening sky, enjoy a picnic & spend some family time together:
Moonstruck
30 Sep 2017; 7pm - 8pm
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage
To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, The Arts Fission Company presents Moonstruck, a contemporary dance-theatre performance using the familiar Chinese legend of lady in the moon (Chang Er 嫦娥,) to frame a new Mid-Autumn story. Moonstruck – Sleepless in Lunar Palace is especially staged for the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage where dancers appear as mysterious characters in whimsical costumes.
The dance performance features well known music that are inspired by the moon like Dvorak’s opera aria Song to the Moon and even a metalized arrangement of Beethoven’s famous Moonlight Sonata. Come with your loved ones and be part of the moonstruck crowd.
A Cappella Festival 2017
1 Oct 2017; 6pm - 8pm
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage
Bring your mat and join in for a evening of great a cappella music in the beautiful surroundings of the Gardens. Enjoy lush harmonies, be entertained by riveting melodies and sing along to all-time favourite songs. Catch the multitude and variety of local vocal music in this exciting opening concert of the A Cappella Festival 2017!
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