Get the lowdown on all the Mid-Autumn festival events across London.
Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here and there are plenty of events across London to experience.
Also known as the moon festival or the mooncake festival – in China Mid-Autumn festival is a time to see friends and family, enjoy good food, and have a well-earned day off from work. Held every year on the 15th day of the 8th Month in China’s lunar calendar, Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important festivals in China.
This year Mid-Autumn festival lands on September 17th. Read on to find all the best Mid-Autumn Festival events across London. If you’re not in London, then read our article about events elshwere in the UK.
London Chinatown
Unsurprisingly, London Chinatown will be all decked out for Mid-Autumn Festival. There will be two separate festivals for you to experience in Chinatown.
The London Chinatown Chinese Association holds an annual Moonfest to celebrate the festival. Last year there were lion dances, cultural performances, activities, and more. Expect similar for this year’s free festival.
When: Sunday, September 15th from 2pm
Where: London Chinatown
Cost: Free
The Chinese Information and Advice Centre will also hold its own festival to celebrate. As part of the event, there will be a design and create your own lantern contest.
The Chinese Information and Advice Centre is a charity dedicated to providing information, advice, and support to disadvantaged Chinese people living in the UK. Coinciding with Mid-Autumn Festival, they will be hosting their 42nd annual charity dinner on Wednesday 18th September from 6pm at Peacock London.
When: Tuesday 17th September from 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: London Chinatown
Cost: Free
Other Events
The UK Han Cultural association will be hosting an Autumn Festival Hanfu event that would be perfect for anyone interested in fashion.
Hanfu is traditional clothing worn by Han Chinese people since ancient times. Today, it has become increasingly popular to dress up in Hanfu to visit heritage sites, take photoshoots, or just to look good.
This event will feature a Hanfu fashion show, performances, a Lacquer Fan workshop, and a cultural marketplace.
When: Sunday 8th September from 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Siobhan Davies Studios, 85 St George’s Rd, London SE1 6ER.
Cost: £27.5 for adults and £12 for children (6-16 years old).
Opening at the time of the Mid-Autumn festival, Lauderdale House in North London will be hosting the ‘From Home’ sole exhibition by the artist Xi’nan Yang and curated by Yu Ying Chan.
According to Lauderdale House the exhibition opens in conjunction with the Moon Festival and is “a profound reflection on family, identity, and the evolving concept of home.”
When: Wednesday 11th September to Monday 7th October
Where: Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, London N6 5HG
Cost: Free
Workshops
As well as the free festivals and events already mentioned, several organisations across London will be hosting paid workshops or events linked to Mid-Autumn Festival.
At Battersea Power Station, there will be a lantern-making workshop on Sunday 15th September. It is billed as a masterclass in diamond lantern making, so your lantern making should be top notch by the end!
If you’re heading to the workshop, you will also get to enjoy Battersea Power Station Celebrasia festival. Running from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th , this festival celebrates the heritage and culture of Southeast Asian countries. Many of them also celebrate their own version of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
When: Sunday 15th September 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Battersea Power Station
Cost: £45
Rouge Shop in Northeast London will be hosting a Mid-Autumn Festival event of Mooncake baking, Chinese calligraphy, and lantern making. Everything you need for a Mid-Autumn Festival!
While there its worth checking out Rouge Shop. It is a fascinating space on Stoke Newington High Street, which sells handmade Chinese furniture and ceramics. They also host many events and workshops like this Mid-Autumn Festival event.
When: Saturday 14th September 2:30 pm – 6 pm
Where: Rouge Shop, 158 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 7JL
Cost: £90
Yi Crafts have partnered up with YUN Cross Bridge Rice Noodles in East London to put together a lantern making workshop. While building your rabbit shaped lantern, there are rose mooncakes to munch on provided by YUN.
Yi Crafts are a handcraft studio specialising in traditional handcrafts from Yunnan province in southwestern China. YUN also hail from Yunnan province. The restuarant is London’s first specialising in Yunnan cuisine.
When: Tuesday 17th September, 6pm – 7pm and 8pm – 9pm.
Where: 204 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA YUN Cross Bridge Rice Noodles 云过桥米线
Cost: £45
If you liked this article why not read: The Best Mooncakes to Buy in London
