Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a cherished holiday celebrated by millions across East Asia. It takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, coinciding with the harvest moon — this year, that’s on Sept. 17.

While each country observes the holiday differently, there are activities such as moon gazing and hanging lanterns that are shared among all. In Japan, their festival is called Tsukimi and involves moon parties on boats and eating tsukimi-dango, a rice dumpling symbolizing health and happiness.

In China, the legend of Chang’e — the ancient tale of the woman who swallowed the pill of immortality and floated to the moon — plays a significant role in their Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. To honor Chang'e, it is tradition to eat mooncakes, which are intricately designed pastries with fillings such as red bean, egg yolk and pineapple. In addition, people appreciate the full moon — where Chang’e has lived since. 

Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at UCLA

The UCLA community has historically celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival through club, college or department-hosted events. In the past, UCLA Anderson School of Management alumni have offered a Moon Festival dinner. In addition, the UCLA Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies previously hosted an event to share traditional Japanese stories and moon-themed artwork. 

After ASUCLA reached out to a few clubs about their Mid-Autumn Festival plans, the Chinese Bruin Union (CBU) at UCLA shared something special planned for Bruins. According to the CBU president, the club will be hosting a Mid-Autumn Festival Social Gathering on Sept. 30. It will be a night filled with mini-games, traditional activities like fan-making and of course, mooncake tasting.