One of the most popular festivals in Singapore, the Mid-Autumn festival is also known as the Mooncake Festival. During this festival, which takes place on the 15th day of the eight lunar month, the moon is visible at its brightest and its common to see Chinese families celebrating together, especially after sunset.
One of the most popular festivals in Singapore, the Mid-Autumn festival is also known as the Mooncake Festival. During this festival, which takes place on the 15th day of the eight lunar month, the moon is visible at its brightest and its common to see Chinese families celebrating together, especially after sunset. The festival attracts tourists and locals alike, and it’s important to find suitable places to stay in Singapore if you are a visitor to the city.
Why is it called Mid-Autumn Festival?
The festival is over a thousand years old and is an integral part of ancient Chinese tradition. The festival is traditionally celebrated to thank the Moon Goddess, also known as Chang’e, for a fruitful harvest. This is why the festival held special significance for the farmers in ancient China. The moon goddess represents good fortune and peace and today people can be seen celebrating with their families in garden parties surrounded by lanterns and enjoying delicious mooncakes once the sun goes down.
Since the Chinese community makes up 74% of the population in Singapore, the mooncake festival is very popular in the city. Expect to see countless lanterns everywhere if you are in Singapore during these dates and if you are planning to travel to the city for the festival, make sure you book a suitable place to stay well in advance.
What to eat
The mid-autumn festival is a great time to taste some exotic food that you may not be able to try during any other time of the year. Mooncakes are the main delicacy and have come to symbolize the festival. The round shape of the mooncake symbolizes unity and these tasty treats are symbolic of the Chinese defeating the Mongolian army during the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century, which led to the rise of the Ming dynasty. Another must-have is an exotic fruit called Pomelo which is widely used during the festival. specially imported from Malaysia for the mid-autumn festival, the fruit originates in the Caribbean.
Where to go
Chinatown is the place to be during the Mid-Autumn festival in Singapore as it comes alive during the festivities, attracting 10,000 visitors annually. The Lantern Walk is a special event that visitors should take part in. It involves taking a walk down Banda Street where locals and visitors to Singapore are all invited to walk for one-kilometer with their own lanterns. The walk sees countless lanterns coming together along with dragon dancers and bands which join the procession. Once the walk is over, head to the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay where a troupe of dancers holds performances, and encourages the discussion of Chinese heritage and culture. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in the Kreta Ayer Square is where the stage show is held every evening.
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