#Gazing at the moon midautumn festival full
#Gazing at the moon midautumn festival free

One of the interesting Mid-Autumn Festival customs is hanging up lanterns, made from bamboo strips shaped like fruit and birds. Light and Display Chinese Mid-Autumn Lantern

#Gazing at the moon midautumn festival free

Never mind, choose China Travel and free moon cakes will be awaiting you!Ĥ. A cup of Chinese tea or osmanthus-flavored wine along with moon cakes is a match made in heaven.Īs early as August, moon cakes, some of which are overpriced, start to appear on the shelves of local bakeries.

The tradition of moon cakes can be traced back to the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279 BC), eve though, at that time, the moon cakes were not round.Ĭhinese moon cakes are small baked cakes, made with a variety of fillings like salted duck eggs, bean paste, lotus seeds, fruit, and sometimes even meat.

#Gazing at the moon midautumn festival full

The cakes, typically round, symbolizing the full moon, are presented as gifts to acquaintances and friends. Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Cake Festival. Besides, round foods like moon cakes also feature in the festival dishes. Pumpkins, chestnuts, taro, persimmons, sweet potato, walnuts, and mushrooms usually feature in the festival feast, emphasizing the bounty of the fall harvest, along with traditional celebratory foods like crab, pork, and duck. And the traditional way to enjoy this time is by sharing a fantastic meal together. This is much like Thanksgiving in the United States. During the festival, family members, no matter how far from home, will try their best to go back home and get together with their parents and extended family. Good places for appreciating the moon are parks and squares.Īttending a grand family dinner is not a part of daily life for most Chinese. In the modern world, after a family reunion dinner, some people choose to go outdoors to appreciate the moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Gazing at the Moon is an ancient tradition dating back to the Zhou dynasty (around 500 BC), when people held ceremonies to welcome the full moon. Do what Chinese people do, to explore the broad and profound Chinese culture!Ī bright, full moon is the symbol of family reunion, reminding people of their home towns and loved ones. Mid-Autumn celebrations usually last for three days in China. Here’s how you can slow life down to enjoy the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival during your tour of China. Besides, ethnic minorities across China have their own unique customs. The most common traditions for the festival are eating moon cakes and gazing at the moon.

We plan to have some programming from about 3:30-4:30 before the picnic.Mid-Autumn Festival traditions focus on the theme of thanksgiving and reunion, as the full moon symbolizes unity, which should resonate strongly in today’s fast-paced world.

Since this is an outdoor venue with limited facilities, please note that there are no warming or refrigeration options for food items, and plan accordingly.

Chairs also allow for comfortable distancing.

Even quilts for the lawn will work! There are picnic tables at our site but a limited amount.

and bring your own carry-in-carry-out picnic and beverages.

But if you are not comfortable with that, please feel free to opt out of the potluck.

There will also be communal foods, mooncakes and beverages.

If you do bring a food item to share, you may want to consider preparing it in serving sizes if the dish lends itself to that.

We have promoted the event as a potluck.

The “hot” food service will begin around 4:30.

*Free parking at specific locations around the park.

Free event – donations accepted.įort Williams Park located at 1000 Shore Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Drinks, some Asian food items, and paper goods provided. Walking trails and the beach are just steps away! Bring your camp chair and a dish to share. Join us for an outdoor Moon Festival picnic celebration with friends and family, new and long-time members! Enjoy mooncakes, socializing and song, crafts, Chinese lawn games and mahjong.