Manchester Museum Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival
Experience the magic of Mid-Autumn Festival during a day of celebration at your Museum.
Also known as the Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It honors the full moon, symbolizing reunion and harmony.
Families gather to enjoy mooncakes, admire the moon, and celebrate with lanterns. Rooted in legends like Chang’e, the moon goddess, the festival is a time for gratitude, reflection and togetherness across many East Asian cultures.
Manchester Museum is celebrating the festival with a series of fun activities for everyone.
Drop-in Lantern Making Workshop
10am – 1pm
Learn about traditional Mid-Autumn Festival rituals and games while creating your own lantern using paper, wooden sticks, and LED lights.
Drop-in Pop-up Card Workshop
1pm – 4pm
Design a pop-up card featuring a rising full moon. Add a heartfelt message and gift it to a loved one as a symbol of reunion and affection.
Mixed-Media Art Installation by Thomas Yuen
22 September – 5 October
This video installation reflects on the cultural and emotional significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival through personal stories collected from Chinese community groups across different regions. It offers a layered, diasporic perspective on tradition, memory, and belonging.
Special Gallery Tour with Dr Fang Zong
12-12.30pm & 2-2.30pm
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival? Can you spot the story of Chang’e in our gallery? Join this guided tour in the Chinese Culture Gallery to explore the festival’s meaning and symbols.
