The Mid-Autumn Festival is an important event in the Chinese cultural calendar that is observed across Asia. Singapore's traditions date back to its first Chinese communities celebrating along Temple Street, where prayers were offered to the moon in Chinese temples. A celebration of bountiful harvests and familial reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Astral iconography abounds in the festival's gift-giving traditions, with tasty mooncakes exchanged between families and friends as the sky is lit by illuminated paper lanterns.
When dusk falls, Singapore transforms into a night of light-hearted revelry with moon-viewing picnics and traditional performances, particularly through Chinatown. This is a time to relax with family and loved ones and to indulge in sweet mooncakes and pomelos. Get the lowdown on this year’s action and source the best mooncakes in Singapore with our guide below.
A moonlit history
There are many stories associated with this 2,000-year-old tradition. One of the most popular recounts the tale of an archer, Hou Yi, and his wife, Chang'e. In this time of myth and legend, 10 suns existed. To save the world from burning, Hou Yi shot down 9 of these 10 blazing suns. As a reward, he was gifted an elixir of immortality and pronounced king. His rule became tyrannical and Chang’e drank the elixir to save the people, turning into a moon spirit that’s celebrated every year when at its brightest.
Regardless of legend, the Mid-Autumn Festival was born from Moon worship and takes place when the Moon is at its roundest and brightest. It has been celebrated since the Shang dynasty, at the very least, and has many folk roots across many of China’s ethnic groups. Like other autumnal harvest festivals around the world, it has shifted from one of lunar worship to an event celebrating family reunions, with the Moon symbolising unity, harmony and homecoming.
Celebrating in Singapore
From traditional festivities to new, family-oriented events, there’s plenty to do during the Mooncake Festival 2022. Here are the best activities in Singapore:
1. Head to Chinatown
As the epicentre of Chinese festivities in Singapore, Chinatown puts on the biggest show with parades, street stalls and lantern walks. Hundreds flock to these pretty, lantern-lined streets for shopping bazaars and festive cheer. The decorations come up early with a light-up ceremony on the 26th of August. You can even get involved by painting your own lanterns to be displayed on Pagoda Street.
2. Gardens by the Bay
Singapore's epic 21st-century botanical gardens host a fabulous Mid-Autumn Festival setting. With dazzling light shows and autumnal gardens, it’s a great spot to head for a moon-watching evening. The stunning Chinese lantern display is set in and amongst colourful tropical flowers with access to some delectable street food nearby.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore’s older botanical gardens host live performances every year recounting the story of Hou Yi and Chang’e. Even without this captivating show, the botanical gardens remain a stunning spot to observe the moon with friends and family.
4. Moonfest
Held at Esplanade, Moonfest is a thrilling family-oriented programme of Mid-Autumn Festival shows. Enjoy everything from Chinese opera, puppetry, music and plays in celebration of the Mooncake Festival and traditional Chinese culture.
5. Gift a mooncake
The Mid-Autumn Festival provides a unique opportunity to express your gratitude and companionship with a gift. Whether friends, family or colleagues, you can make your own or opt for an appetising pre-baked and boxed gift to demonstrate your feelings.
What’s the deal with mooncakes?
At the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival are mooncakes. These tasty baked or steamed cakes are best paired with Chinese tea for a satisfying moon-lit treat. What makes mooncakes so special is their variety. While it's tradition to contain a salted egg yolk within the centre, there are many delectable flavours and hidden centres to choose from. This all dates back to the legend of Zhu Yuanzhang who hid secret messages in cakes spurring the people to overthrow their Mongol masters, thus forming the Ming dynasty.
Famous mooncake in Singapore includes interesting offerings, such as durian mooncakes, a truly local twist on the Chinese festival staple. However, there are plenty more exotic and decadent variations to pick from that make ideal gifts. For the best mooncake in Singapore, Millennium Hotels provides a wealth of expertly crafted and boxed mooncakes ranging from traditional salted egg yolk with white lotus paste to snow skin mooncakes with champagne ganache. Snow skin cakes have grown particularly popular with their light and chewy textures and pastel-like hues.
Where to buy mooncakes in Singapore
Millennium Hotels goes above and beyond to provide the tastiest mooncakes hand-delivered from their hotel lobbies. From fruity passionfruit mainstays to decadent oolong with macadamia, each mooncake is baked in the kitchens of the award-winning Hua Ting Restaurant. Hua Ting is one of the first and best Chinese fine dining restaurants in Singapore, specialising in dim sum and Cantonese sweets.
Get your orders in early to enjoy an exclusive 20% off early bird offer with guaranteed collection from your hotel, and even more value for My Millennium members with 25% off! The mooncake menu itself is all about delicate, fruity and nutty flavours spanning local favourites like eye-catching mini snow skin varieties and traditional bestsellers. Low sugar staples are also at hand for those watching their GI.
Book a stay at a Millennium Hotel in Singapore to enjoy the Moon Festival festivities from the heart of the action, and where a great night’s sleep awaits every evening.
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