This year, the Mid-Autumn festival falls on September 25, 2026. Join us at San Mateo County Libraries for a variety of events this fall that celebrate Mid-Autumn.
Beneath the Same Round Moon: A Mooncake Festival Story
Local author Jasmine Fang will be sharing her new book Beneath the Same Round Moon in a series of visits across our libraries! We'll learn all about mooncake festival and Mid-Autumn cultural traditions.
Candle Painting
Join us for an afternoon of candle painting. Draw imagery of the season—the full moon, lotus, rabbits, warm lanterns or let the brush follow wherever the mood takes you.
Light of the Moon: Mid-Autumn Calligraphy Lantern
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival through art and culture! We will explore the customs and symbolism of the Mid-Autumn Festival, then practice writing auspicious phrases related to the moon and reunion. Learn basic Chinese calligraphy brush techniques while creating a unique fan-shaped paper lantern.
Paper Lotus Workshop
Join us for a workshop that celebrates the beauty of Mid-Autumn with handmade crepe paper flowers! Artist Tiffany Lau from Made by Tiffany will be teaching us how to make a gorgeous, delicate, realistic paper lotus that will last year-round.
Traditional Korean Craft Workshops
Local nonprofit Chopstickstory will be joining us with a variety of traditional Korean crafts for kids in celebration of Chuseok! Workshops include chopstick making, chopstick decorating, lotus lantern making and a dancheong suncatcher workshop.
Embroidery for Beginners: Mid-Autumn Lanterns
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and learn a new skill in this beginner-friendly hand embroidery workshop! Learn all the skills and techniques you'll need to complete an all-new embroidery project by Tiffany Tzeng from Stitches By Tiff.
Find a full list of our Mid-Autumn Events.
Learn About Mid-Autumn
Often referred to as the “Autumn Moon Festival,” Mid-Autumn (中秋節) is a celebration of the autumn equinox, a time of year when the moon is full and bright. Mid-Autumn falls on the 15th day of the 8th month each year on the Chinese lunar calendar. Though it is commonly known as the Chinese “Mooncake Festival” in recognition of the practice of sharing mooncakes with loved ones, this celebration takes a variety of forms across various East and Southeast Asian cultures.
Chuseok (추석), or “autumn evening,” is observed in Korea on the same date. Families celebrate the harvest season, honor their ancestors and share traditional treats, including 송편 (songpyeon) and 약과 (yakgwa). In Japan, Otsukimi (お月見), or “moon viewing,” events and traditional snacks honor the beauty of the moon: 月見団子(tsukimi dango) rice dumplings, as pale and round as the moon, are often stacked and displayed with pampas grass decorations. Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam is held on the lunisolar 15th day of the 8th month as well; this holiday is especially beloved by children eager to receive star lanterns and toys. Similarly, brightly colored lanterns of various shapes and sizes light up the night during the Mid-Autumn season in Singapore and Malaysia. Across many cultures, Mid-Autumn is a time for connecting with family, appreciating the beauty around us, preserving age-old traditions and enjoying the bounty of the harvest season.
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