Mid-Autumn Festival

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In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month—which is the middle of the autumn season in China. Since being made a public holiday in 2008, the holiday often falls before a weekend or the start of National Day, which means businesses are closed—and people can have anywhere from three to eight days off in a row.

The Mid-Autumn Festival has roots going back more than 3,000 years, when people in China worshiped the moon. During this time, when the moon was at its fullest, people would pray for a good harvest, fair weather, and peace. Today, many people in China celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by writing riddles on lanterns; they may also decorate their homes, parks, and even rivers with bright and well-lit lanterns.

Many families in China also come together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a large dinner, which often includes mooncakes, a type of cookie that resembles the moon. They may also share offerings like food and incense during the festival. Near the end of the night, celebrants may head outside to appreciate the moon—an activity that can be enjoyed together despite any distance between loved ones. In some cases, mooncakes and incense may be offered as a sacrifice to the moon.

How to prepare

We’ll be closed for the Mid-Autumn Festival on [insert date]. Please make sure to turn on your out of office message prior to the holiday.

How we’re celebrating

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Please join us in our upcoming celebrations, including:

• [Insert event]