The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival and Mooncake Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival and is set to be celebrated in Manchester this September. For the first time since the pandemic, Manchester Moon Festival will return to the city to celebrate a key date in the Lunar calendar.
With the last event held back in 2019, this year’s event will take place in Manchester China Town car park between September 22 and 24. The festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar with full moon at night, corresponding to late September to early October of the Gregorian calendar with a full moon at night.
The free event will feature a range of activities for visitors to enjoy whilst walking down Faulkner Street, where you’ll find delicious food and drink and plenty of traditional Chinese gifts and goods on offer.
This year’s event will include the infamous Chinese Lion Dancing, where you can will only enjoy the traditional performance, but you can also get involved. Visitors can take the opportunity to become a Lion Dancer with an up-close experience to admire the art and craft skills on the Lion costume.
At the Mid-Autumn Festival, you can learn a martial arts move or two as the event will also feature a Street Kung-Fu session which will be led by an experienced Kung-Fu master. You’ll also find a host of food and drink stalls serving the most delicious dishes and traditional Chinese moon cakes for an affordable price.
You will also find gift and goods stalls selling Chinese Lanterns along with other traditional and modern gifts. During the event you may also spot the festival mascot, Moon-Caky, walking within the area waiting to share the wonderful festive atmosphere with you, your friends and your family.
Find out more about the festival here.