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The Magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival: Unveiling the Date and Its Enchanting Names

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional holidays of the year, a time to honor family and friends. It is a time-honored tradition that emphasizes care, filial piety, gratitude, appreciation, and the warmth of reunion and love.

Administrator

2 September, 2024

In the past, the Mid-Autumn Festival was known as a holiday for adults, but at some point, it transformed into a children’s festival. Kids eagerly anticipate this day as they receive toys, often in the form of star lanterns, masks, and of course, delicious mooncakes.

1 When is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which typically falls in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar, is chosen as the Mid-Autumn Festival because it is believed that on this day, the moon will be at its roundest and brightest. Additionally, by this time, farmers would have completed their harvest and begun to celebrate various festivals, with the Moon Festival being the most prominent.

In 2024, the Mid-Autumn Festival will fall on a Tuesday, corresponding to the 17th of September on the Gregorian calendar.

Mid-Autumn Festival Date

2 Other Names for the Mid-Autumn Festival

While most people refer to it as the Mid-Autumn Festival, this holiday goes by several other names, including: Moon-Viewing Festival, Reunion Festival, and Children’s Festival

Moon-Viewing Festival

The Moon-Viewing Festival derives its name from the custom of gazing at the moon during this period. Families set out elaborate displays of mooncakes and other delicacies, often shaped into beautiful designs. The highlight of the feast is, of course, the traditional mooncake.

As the moon reaches its fullest and brightest point in the year, families gather to admire the moon, share stories, and indulge in the delicious spread. Thus, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also affectionately known as the Moon-Viewing Festival.

Children’s Festival

The Children’s Festival is a time when youngsters receive gifts from their elders, such as star lanterns, masks, and other treats. They participate in lantern processions, sing joyful songs, and enjoy various performances. Thus, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Children’s Festival, celebrating the joy and innocence of youth.

Reunion Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time when families reunite and gather together to share stories and exchange mooncakes. There’s nothing more precious than spending time with loved ones, watching children play with colorful lanterns, and reminiscing about childhood memories. Thus, the festival earned the name Reunion Festival.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, aside from the lantern processions and mooncake feasts, families can also engage in various activities like riddles and games to foster a warm and cheerful atmosphere during this special traditional holiday.

If you’re looking for meaningful wishes to send to your loved ones during the Mid-Autumn Festival, check out our collection of 100+ Mid-Autumn Festival Wishes and 50+ Mid-Autumn Festival Messages!

This article has answered your question about the date of the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2024 and provided insights into its various names. We hope it has enriched your understanding of this beautiful festival.

Frequently asked questions

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated by Vietnamese and Chinese people, usually in September or early October. It is a time to admire the full moon and enjoy the company of family and friends. The festival date varies each year according to the lunar calendar.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is often referred to as the Moon Festival as it celebrates the beauty and mystery of the full moon. It is also a time when children are given lanterns and enjoy moon gazing, earning it the name Children’s Festival.

Some of the magical names for the Mid-Autumn Festival include ‘The Festival of Reunion’, ‘The Mooncake Festival’, and ‘The Lantern Festival’. These names reflect the themes of family reunion, the traditional mooncakes eaten during the festival, and the beautiful lantern displays.

Mooncakes are an essential part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These delicious pastries are usually round, symbolizing completeness and unity. They are often exchanged as gifts and come in a variety of flavors, with traditional ingredients like lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk.

Yes, there are several legends associated with the festival, the most famous being the legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. It is believed that Chang’e drank an elixir of immortality and flew to the moon, where she lives with her rabbit companion. This legend adds a magical and mythical dimension to the festival celebrations.