Many families look forward to celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore. It has been part of the Singaporean tradition to have an annual celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the country.
People are taking this celebration as an opportunity to give thanks to the gods. The time when people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival is also a time of year the moon is at its brightest.
It is the primary reason why lunar legends are attached and consistently commemorate this particular event. Upon celebrating this event, Singaporeans also greet each other and express their gratitude toward one another.
Aside from that, people send moon cakes to their friends, relatives, and business partners. This kind of practice intends to express their gracious greetings and good wishes to each other.
Celebrating the Mooncake Festival
Aside from being called the Mid-Autumn Festival, a lot of you may also recognise it as the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival. It is a traditional festival celebrated by Chinese communities across the world. In fact, it’s the second-most important holiday after the Chinese New Year.
According to Chinese culture, the moon is full and at its brightest form on this day, which coincides with the harvest time in the middle of autumn. This is why it holds such significance in the traditional sense.
During the festivities, you probably noticed the abundance of mooncakes. Because of this, most people ended up alternating the two names of the festival.
There’s plenty to know about the mid-autumn festival and here’s our handy guide to get you up to speed with it.
7 Ways to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore With Your Kids
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a cherished time in Singapore, where families come together to celebrate under the luminous glow of the full moon. With an array of cultural activities and events, Singapore offers a unique and immersive experience for both locals and tourists. Here are seven delightful ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore with your kids.
Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival
Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore is a vibrant celebration of the Mid-Autumn season. Families can kick off the festivities by letting their kids showcase their artistic talents in the Lantern Painting Competition at Chinatown Point. The festival truly comes alive during the Official Light-Up & Opening Ceremony at Kreta Ayer Square, where breathtaking lantern displays illuminate the streets.
Families can savour a wide array of traditional delicacies at the Food Fair on Smith Street and enjoy captivating stage performances, all while taking in the mesmerising Street Light-Up that graces Chinatown’s streets from September 15 to October 14.
Lights by the Lake 2023 at Jurong Lake Gardens
As the Mid-Autumn Festival draws near, join us in the festivities at Lights by The Lake 2023, Embrace the enchantment of the Mid-Autumn Festival at Jurong Lake Gardens as they host Lights by the Lake 2023. This captivating event features stunning lantern displays, painstakingly handcrafted by skilled artisans from China, adorning the tranquil Gardens.
Families can immerse themselves in the festive spirit with a series of performances by talented local artists every Friday and Saturday from September 16 to October 1, 2023. Engaging programs and activities await on weekdays, offering a delightful experience for all. Join in this celebration and bask in the magical ambience of Lights by the Lake 2023 amid the breathtaking landscapes of Jurong Lake Gardens. Plus, admission is free, making it accessible to all.
Gardens by the Bay – Garden of Blooms
Immerse yourself in the magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Garden of Blooms in Gardens by the Bay, where lanterns illuminate the night. Stroll along enchanting paths adorned with vibrant lanterns inspired by Chinese mythology, legends, and cultural themes of reunion, fate, and affinity.
This is an ideal setting to create cherished memories with your family and friends. Additionally, you can enjoy a diverse array of cultural performances and engaging activities and strengthen bonds over fun carnival games and delectable treats at the food street.
Date & Time: From September 15 to October 1, 2023, every day from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Admission: Entry is free, ensuring everyone can partake in the festivities.
Location: Find this enchanting celebration at the beautiful Gardens by the Bay.
Mid-Autumn Family FUN
Hosted by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), this inaugural event is set to light up Shenton Way from September 29 to October 1, 2023. The theme, ‘Modern Traditions,’ invites families to enjoy 14 specially curated activities blending contemporary and Mid-Autumn traditions.
Highlights include “xiangsheng” comedy performances, an Autumn Fair featuring creative makers, indie artist performances, food trucks, guided lantern walks, and orchestral concerts. Exciting giveaways include free coffee, tea, lanterns, ice-cream, and more on September 29, with tote bag redemption for those purchasing four tickets to the event.
“Garden of Lights” with Sanrio Characters
This Mid-Autumn, embark on a magical journey at VivoCity’s Sky Park, Level 3, and immerse yourself in the world of larger-than-life illuminated displays and radiant blooms featuring your beloved Sanrio characters. Be sure not to miss the star attraction – a magnificent 7-meter-tall Hello Kitty display, alongside My Melody, Kuromi, Gudetama, Little Twin Stars, and other cherished Sanrio characters spread across four themed zones.
Opening Hours: From 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with a captivating Decor Light Up spectacle from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Best of all, admission to this enchanting experience is entirely free, making it a must-visit for all Sanrio fans and families seeking a touch of Mid-Autumn magic.
Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023
Join in the celebration of Chinese arts, culture, and heritage at the Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023. Hosted by SYSNMH (Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall), this event promises a wealth of exciting activities.
This year’s festival brings a unique collaboration with clan associations, offering programs that delve into the rich dialect cultures of the Chinese community. Additionally, don’t miss the highly anticipated return of SYSNMH’s annual outdoor lantern installation, featuring the special “A Mid-Autumn Paw-trait” installation showcasing two adorable giant panda lanterns.
To enrich your experience, the Memorial Hall gallery hours will be extended to 9:00 PM (last admission at 8:30 PM) on specific dates, including September 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 29, 2023, ensuring you have ample time to explore the exhibits during this festive period.
The Race Around the Moon
Join Chang’e, Jade Rabbit, and Wu Gang in an all-new Mid-Autumn tale of friendship and competition. After residing on the moon for years, the trio is given a chance to return to Earth, but there’s a twist – only the winner of a thrilling moon race can claim this prize. Their unwavering determination leads them on a journey where they’ll discover that success goes beyond winning. It tests their wits, skills, and the strength of their precious friendship. This heartwarming and educational performance, recommended for ages 5 to 10, is inclusive, catering to neurodivergent individuals, and provides a relaxed atmosphere with a calm room available for those in need. Don’t miss this enchanting adventure on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Gateway Theatre’s Sky Garden.
5 Ways To Celebrate the Mooncake Festival in Singapore at Home
Image Source: iStock
Festivals are a great occasion to involve your kids and let them know about the country’s rich heritage and acquaint them with different traditions. Here are five ways to celebrate the festival with your kids.
Make Mooncakes Together
There are several shops across that sell mooncake moulds. You can also give your little ones some playdough and they can have a jolly time making playdough mooncakes in different colours.
Teach Them Gratitude
You should take the time out to be grateful for what you have, the people who are with you, and the fortune that you have amassed. The festival is a perfect occasion to teach gratitude to your child.
Gift a Book
There are some great books that you can gift your child on this occasion. For instance, Happy Mooncake Festival, Elena!, is a book for kids that they will find interesting to know more about the festival and the activities done during this period.
Make Paper Lanterns at Home
Paper lanterns are a great way to decorate your house and the streets. The best part is you won’t require any special materials and they aren’t difficult to make at all. Moreover, they are definitely more eco-friendly than plastic ones.
Appreciate the Moon
Spend some time with your child to sit back and relax to appreciate the moon. Sometimes, pausing to appreciate nature’s beauty is a great experience for kids, especially in the digital era.
This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa and Kamille Uriella Batuyong.