Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festivals in New York City: Moon Cakes and Flying Lanterns

[UPDATED: August 11, 2012]

Even though the kids go back to school this week, there's plenty of fun to look forward to. Recently we rounded up a slew of outdoor fairs and fests in September. Below we're spotlighting the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a Chinese tradition that's celebrated all over the city.

Basically a Chinese harvest festival, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival marks the fall equinox. Traditionally, families go out to admire the big autumn moon, eat elaborate moon cakes and light pretty paper lanterns. There are a number of organized celebrations around the city.

International Moon Festival – Flushing
Sanford Avenue between Main and Union Streets
Sunday, September 9 at 10am
FREE
We don't have a ton (okay, any!) info on this festival this year. In the past, the Flushing Development Center has partnered with local organizations to put on a street fair featuring lots of kids' activities. If you live nearby, it's worth dropping by to check it out, but we wouldn't recommend traveling there as we're not sure how big this shindig will be.

Chinese Community Center of Flushing Presents: Autumn Passion Performance – Flushing
Queens Library Flushing Branch, 41-17 Main Street at 41st Avenue
Thursday, September 13 at 6pm
FREE
Seniors from the Chinese Community Center of Flushing will perform traditional Chinese arts, including include martial arts, traditional instrumentals and dances.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Family Day – Chinatown
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street between Howard and Grand Streets
Sunday, September 23 10am-5pm
$10, children under 1 free
All day, children can make lanterns, shadow puppets and other holiday crafts, and take family-friendly tours of the museum's exhibits. There will also be special programming, including a performance of Chang-Er Flies to the Moon! by Chinese Theatre Works, as well as a presentation and craft activity lead by Chinatown: One Year in Poems author and illustrator Kam Mak.

Autumn Moon Cultural Festival and Children Lantern Parade – Chinatown
Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Canal and Forsyth Streets
Sunday, September 23 11am-5pm
FREE
The Better Chinatown Society hosts this annual shindig, where families can enjoy cultural performances, arts and crafts, food vendors, and participate in a children's lantern parade in honor of the Chinese harvest season. Can't make this fest? The org is hosting the similar China Week Cultural Festival at the same location the next Sunday, September 30.

Autumn Moon Festival – Flushing
Queens Botanic Garden, 43-50 Main Street near Dahlia Avenue
Sunday, September 30 4-6pm
Free with admission: $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 3 and up, free for kids under 3
The New York Chinese Cultural Center hosts this Chinese harvest celebration, where families can enjoy moon cakes, arts and crafts, cultural performances and the bounty from the lovely Queens garden.

Autumn Moon Festival – Staten Island
New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace
Sunday, September 30 4-8pm
$10 for adults, $6 for students, free for children under 5
We love visiting Snug Harbor's serene New York Chinese Scholar's Garden on any day, but the spot is particularly stunning during this annual harvest fest when it's festooned with Chinese lanterns. Other attractions include Chinese dance and music, martial arts and cooking demos, calligraphy lessons, storytelling, food and crafts.