Want to get out and experience the Mid-Autumn Festival 2016 in Singapore? From savoring mooncakes to sipping tea under the stars, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this annual festival. And, let’s not forget every kid’s favourite – playing with lanterns – too.
We round up the places where you can experience the Mid-Autumn Festival 2016 in Singapore.
Mid-Autumn @ Gardens by the Bay
3 to 18 September
Visit Gardens by the Bay to enjoy the sights of ten lantern sets that depict stories about the moon. These lanterns, some as large as 27 metres across, have been inspired by traditional folktales such as Chang Er, The Jade Rabbit and the Old Man Under the Moon. Furthermore, there will be 4,000 lanterns at the Colonnade of Lights display, along with nightly cultural performances, storytelling session and craft booths.
In addition, from 3 to 18 September, Gardens by the Bay will be offering a special ticketing promotion for children as a part of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Children who bring a lantern and show it to the ticketing counter outside the Conservatories between 5 pm to 8.30 pm, will be able to redeem a free ticket to the Cooled Conservatories. Just take note that candle-lit lanterns are not allowed in Gardens by the Bay.
Key Highlights of Mid-Autumn @ Gardens by the Bay
Official Launch and Interactive Lantern Procession
4 Sep, 6.30 pm, Main Entrance
Giant Lantern Display and Colonnade of Lights
3 to 18 Sep, 7 pm to 11 pm, Golden Garden, Supertree Grove and Dragonfly Bridge
Storytelling Sessions
3 to 18 Sep, Mon to Fri: 8 pm to 8.30 pm; Sat & Sun, 6.45 pm to 7,30 pm, 8 pm to 8.30 pm. No storytelling on 4 September, Miniature Garden (near the Floral Clock)
Craft Booths
3 to 18 Sep, 7 pm to 10 pm, Supertree Grove
Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2016
2 to 30 September
The streets of Chinatown will glow by lantern-light as part of the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2016 from 2 to 30 September. With the Official Light-up and Opening Ceremony taking place on 3 September, bask under the light of lanterns strung over the streets of New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road from 7 pm till midnight (2 am on Fridays and Saturdays). Other than admiring the decorative lanterns slung over the streets, be sure to soak in the atmosphere at the Festive Bazaar along Pagoda Street. There is also a Mass Lantern Walk taking place on Sunday, 11 September.
Families for Life School Holiday Edition Picnic
10 Sep
Spend family time at a School Holiday Edition Picnic organised by Families for Life. Taking place at Jurong Central Park, register to redeem a lantern to decorate, go on a lantern walkabout and solve lantern riddles together as a family. There will also be bouncy castles, music performances and a movie screening of Minions. The Families for Life Picnic starts from 5 pm till 9.30 pm.
Esplanade’s Moonfest – A Mid-Autumn Celebration
9 to 11 September
Esplanade marks the Mid-Autumn Festival with its annual Moonfest celebration. Go on a waterfront lantern walkabout, catch roving stilt walkers and enjoy a fluffy Jade Rabbit craft. Also, look out for both ticketed and free programmes that include a Northwest China folk song concert and guzheng recitals.
Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2016 Garden Light-Up
9 to 18 Sep
Visit the historic Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall where larger-than-life lanterns will be used to create a dragon playground. In addition, on 10 and 11 September, free programmes at the heritage centre include storytelling sessions, lantern riddles and lantern-making activities.
VivoCity Mid-Autumn Fair
16 Aug to 14 Sep
Calling all mooncake lovers – sample the wares of over 40 local and international vendors at VivoCity’s Mid-Autumn Fair. You will find brands such as Shangri-La Hotel, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Ritz-Carlton, Mei-Xin and Wing Wah at the fair. Mooncake aficionados will appreciate the wide variety of mooncakes on sale. These range from traditional ones to more unusual creations such as snowskin mooncakes with Pandan truffle yolks.
Mid-Autumn Festival Activities at the Libraries
Libraries around Singapore will be holding events in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival 2016. Highlights include:
Super Storytastic Special: Mid-Autumn!
Clementi Public Library
5 Sep, 7.30 pm
Bukit Merah Public Library
9 Sep, 7.30 pm
These storytelling sessions at Clementi and Bukit Merah Libraries will recount the story of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality, and includes a lantern craft.
Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
Tampines Regional Library
10 Sep, 11 am to 3 pm
Take part in activities such as solving riddles, spot the difference and hands-on crafts.
Storytime Special: Mid-Autumn Fiesta!
Choa Chu Kang Public Library
10 Sep, 11.30 am to 12 .30 pm
Listen to stores about the Mid-Autumn Festival and make your very own moon mobile.
Doodling & Lunar Party
Jurong West Public Library
10 Sep, 2 pm to 5.30 pm
Kids from four to 12 years old can learn to doodle and turn random shapes into beautiful drawings from 2 pm to 3pm. After that, you can celebrate take part in craft activities a Lunar Party from 4pm onwards.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2016!
