Suitable for: Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10

In this lesson, students will learn about the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated in China.

Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated every year in China during Autumn. It's a lunar festival, which means the date changes each year, depending on the lunar calendar but is always on Month 8, Day 15 of the moon calendar in China. That day is always in September or near the start of October. The festival centres around enjoying the full moon and, like all festivals, has special foods to eat and different activities that are done during the festival. There is also a well known story, or myth, associated with the festival, ‘Chang’e the Moon Goddess’. Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world and across South East Asia.

Explore this video and ask students to observe how Mid Autumn Festival is being celebrated. They may choose to share what they've learnt.

All you need to know about Mid-Autumn Festival: Chang’e, mooncakes and the Fire Dragon Dance

Students read Mid Autumn Festival: Celebrations, Greetings, Origins here and identify key information about Mid-Autumn Festival and how it is celebrated in China.

Mid-Autumn Festival is not only celebrated in China, but across East and South East Asia. Consider which countries this includes? Explore the following videos to identify similarities and difference between celebrations and consider why communities around the world (outside of China/Asia) celebrate it.

How the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated around the world

Gardens By the Bay Mid-Autumn Festival Light up 2018: Singapore

Mid-Autumn Festival – “Children’s Day in Vietnam”

MAKE: A LANTERN WITH A RIDDLE INSCRIBED

Lantern making is a common activity at Mid-Autumn Festival. Riddles are often inscribed on the lanterns as part of the festival and seen as a fun activity. Explore how riddles work here and try writing your own.

Make a lantern, including a riddle that is inscribed on the lantern just like they do at Mid-Autumn Festival.

Click here for a Lantern Making Activities (simple or complex).

Individually, in pairs or small groups plan how you could celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival at your school: Brainstorm ideas, considering the different activities, foods eaten (cooked/sold), who can attend, how to advertise it, etc. Design a promotional poster or video for the school social media to invite students and parents. You may use poster paper or online tools such as Canva, recording a Zoom video, etc. Present your items and give feedback to others on theirs.

Follow the instructions below to make either a no-bake mooncake or a cooked version:

Adam Liaw’s delicious no-bake mooncake

How to make moon cakes at home-easy recipe

During the Mid-Autumn Festival Changér Flies to the Moon is a commonly told story. It is based on the myth of Houyi and Changér and also references a 'rabbit in the moon'. The idea of a rabbit in the moon can be found in other cultural stories, including ancient Aztecs.

Explore the global links of this story through the videos and activities on these pages.