🌕🎑 Chinatown Moon Festival (中秋节) Celebration – 4 & 5 October 2025

🌕🎑 Chinatown Moon Festival (中秋节) Celebration – 4 & 5 October 2025

📍 Manchester Chinatown

🗓 Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th October 2025

⏰ 12:00 – 20:00

🎟 Free entry – all welcome!

🏮 What is the Moon Festival (中秋节)?

The Moon Festival – also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival or Zhōngqiū Jié (中秋节) – is one of the most important and ancient celebrations in Chinese culture 🐉. It dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty, with roots in harvest rituals and moon worship. Traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, it marks the time when the moon is at its brightest and fullest – a symbol of unity and reunion 🎑.

Families gather to admire the moon 🌕, give thanks for the harvest, and pray for good fortune. The round shape of the moon represents togetherness, harmony and completeness.

🎐 How do people celebrate?

🏮 Family reunions: loved ones come together for meals under the full moon.

🌕 Moon-viewing (赏月): people go outside or to rooftops to appreciate the bright moonlight.

🏮 Lighting lanterns: both traditional paper lanterns and modern glowing ones create a festive atmosphere.

🙏 Giving thanks & making wishes: offerings of fruit, tea and incense are made at home or at temples.

🥮 Traditional foods

The most famous treat is the mooncake (月饼) 🥮 – round pastries filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, nuts, or salted egg yolk, symbolising reunion and completeness. Other festive foods include pomelos 🍊, taro, osmanthus-flavoured cakes and various regional delicacies.

🐉 What’s happening in Manchester Chinatown?

This year’s Chinatown Moon Festival is a two-day celebration packed with music, dance, food and crafts for all ages. Highlights include:

👘 Hanfu Parade – See hundreds in ancient Chinese-style clothing walking the streets.

🎧 DJ Dance Party – Non-stop beats and lights until late.

💃 Chinese Traditional Dance – Elegant performances with colourful costumes and graceful moves.

🥋 Martial Arts Show – Spectacular Kung Fu demonstrations.

🎸 Live Local Band – Local musicians playing rock and pop hits.

🎭 Chinese Tumbler Beauty Performance – A famous live act blending history and artistry.

🎶 Chinese Traditional Instrument Performance – Experience the enchanting sounds of ancient China – a musical journey you’ll never forget.

🎭 Chinese Opera – Stunning costumes, painted faces and powerful singing.

🧧 Traditional Craft Workshop – Make and take home your own hand-made souvenirs.

Alongside the shows, expect street food stalls, mooncakes 🥮, red lanterns 🏮 and plenty of photo opportunities 📸.

✨ Why come along?

This is a chance to experience the magic of the Moon Festival right in the heart of Manchester. Whether you’re new to the tradition or grew up with it, the Chinatown Moon Festival offers something for everyone – a blend of ancient customs and modern entertainment 🎑.

📩 Want to join in? Sponsors, stalls, volunteers and parade participants are welcome.

📧 Contact: info@moonchester.uk

🏮 East meets West – free entry to an unforgettable weekend! 🏮

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