Your Insider Guide to the Mid-Autumn Festival 2024
Eat mooncakes, make lanterns, watch lion dances and spend time with family under the full moon at this celestial celebration in Chinatown.
Photo: Courtesy of Chinatown 808
Practice saying “Chung Chao Jit Fai Lok!” (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!) in preparation for this annual event on Saturday, Sept. 14. The all-day celebration will include cultural festivities, such as lion dances and martial arts demonstrations, food and craft vendors, keiki activities, stargazing and a lantern parade.
Also known as the Moon Festival, this traditional Chinese holiday marks the end of the autumn harvest. It is usually held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar with a full moon—this year on Sept. 17. Families and friends typically gather to admire the moon, share mooncakes and exchange greetings and wishes for good fortune.
Chinatown 808, the local nonprofit known for the Night in Chinatown Festival & Parade and Dragon Boat Races, serves as the festival host. Its goal is to bring attention and support to the businesses and residents of Chinatown while rejuvenating the historic neighborhood through community events.
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When and Where
The Mid-Autumn Festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, 100 N. Beretania St.
How Much It Costs
Admission is free. Most vendors will accept both cash and credit card payments.
Where to Park
Parking is available in the Chinatown Cultural Plaza parking lot (100 N. Beretania St., entrance on Maunakea Street) for $1 for the first hour and $1 for each additional 30 minutes. There are additional municipal lots nearby as well as street parking.
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Photo: Courtesy of Chinatown 808
What to Do
Throughout the day and night, watch a packed schedule of live entertainment on the Moon Gate Stage with several dance troupes, martial arts groups and lion dances, including an impressive 150-foot dragon. Stop by the Aloha Chinese Concepts Association booth to answer a riddle, and you’ll receive a free lantern. Times Pharmacy will also be there giving flu shots!
Families will stay entertained with arts and crafts, lantern-making, face painting and the opportunity to meet real bunnies from the Hawai‘i All-Breed Rabbit Club. Keiki can also get creative at the LEGO play area hosted by the Hawai‘i LEGO Users Group.
Photo: Courtesy of Chinatown 808
Once night falls, get a closer look at the full moon with help from Stargazers of Hawai‘i who will set up a telescope on the second floor of the Chinatown Cultural Plaza from 6 to 10 p.m.
One of the highlights of the evening is the lantern parade. You are invited to make a lantern at home and join the illuminated procession. Check-in for the parade starts at 5:30 p.m., and it kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a route around Sun Yat-sen Mall and College Walk.
Photo: Courtesy of Chinatown 808
What to See
1 p.m. Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio
2 p.m. Miss Chinatown Hawai‘i Queen & Court
3 p.m. Sing Yung Dragon and Lion Dance Association
4 p.m. Royal Hawaiian Band
5 p.m. Gee Yung International Martial Arts Association
6 p.m. Chinese Lion Dance Association
6:30 p.m. Lantern Parade
7 p.m. Hawai‘i Lion Dance Association
8 p.m. Chuk Kai Tai Chi Club
9 p.m. Yeung Dak Physical Cultural Association
Note: Times are subject to change.
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Photo: Courtesy of Legend Seafood Restaurant
What to Eat & Buy
At the event, Legend Seafood Restaurant will have traditional mooncakes, along with other treats like ma tai soo (a savory pastry), jin dui (sesame balls), ip jai (mochi-type pastry with black sugar or savory fillings) and jai (a vegetarian dish). Plus, enjoy a variety of foods from local vendors, including potstickers, poke bowls, halo-halo and teppanyaki. You can also shop local crafts and cultural gifts.
Here’s a list of who will be there:
- Bing Bros
- Blue Truck Teppanyaki
- CeCe’s Patisserie
- Halo Halo Craze
- Hawaiian Cane Juice
- Hott Potstickers
- Kapa Moi Lions Club Shave Ice
- LaoWaiian Style Creations
- Legend Seafood Restaurant
- Local Poke Bowl
- Olay’s Thai Lao Express
- Sugar Mami
- Sunny’s Gifts
- Ta•ma•da• Sweets
- Teapresso Bar
- The Corner Rolls
- The Old Taku
- Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt
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Tips
- Make your own lantern to show off during the parade. Here’s a tutorial using supplies you probably already have at home.
- It’s optional, but you’re encouraged to dress up in Chinese cultural costumes.
- Take family photos in front of the larger-than-life inflatable rabbit. Why a rabbit, you may ask? When you gaze up at the full harvest moon, it’s said you can often see the shape of a rabbit on the moon.
- Start the day at the Mid-Autumn Festival, then head into Chinatown to explore, and return to the Chinatown Cultural Plaza for more entertainment and the lantern parade later.
Mid-Autumn Festival, Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Chinatown Cultural Plaza, 100 N. Beretania St., chinatown808.com, @chinatown808hi
