Mid-Autumn Festival 2020
For many of us, Mid-Autumn Festival brings to mind mooncakes and pretty lantern displays – but quick history recap: it’s also the second most important festival in the Chinese tradition. Marked to worship the full moon, it’s been celebrated for more than 3 millennia.
While festivals throughout the years have only gone bigger and trendier, this year’s celebrations take it closer to its roots. Alongside whimsical lantern displays, look out for a slew of online activities, featuring Chinese ensemble performances and traditional craft tutorials. Below are 7 Mid-Autumn Festival events to visit in 2020. P.S. they’re all free!
1. Chinatown – streets lit with more than 700 lanterns
Image credit: @singaporeshowtime
Every year, Chinatown is the place to go during the festive season. This time around, they’ve got the area glowing like a full moon with more than 700 lanterns decorated along and above the streets.
Image credit: @soonstergram
Head down yourself or embark on a virtual festival tour to check out the pretty displays. You can’t miss the gigantic Chang-e installation, which if you haven’t heard, has been getting unprecedented attention this year for one peculiar reason: she looks pregnant from the side!
Image credit: @photographyholic
While you’re there, snag some deals with the festive promotions at Chinatown Point.
Date: Until 16th October 2020
Time: 7PM-12AM, Daily
Address: New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road
Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival’s website
2. Gardens By The Bay – illuminated rows of “apricot” trees
Image credit: Gardens By The Bay
6 fanciful lantern installations will be spread across the public area of Gardens By The Bay this Mid-Autumn Festival, for all to enjoy.
Walk through the dreamy Apricot Grove, with flowers illuminated with special lighting to resemble falling petals or marvel at the elaborate human-shaped lanterns at the Royal Family’s Walk, under the Supertrees.
Royal Family’s Walk – a nod to Chuseok, Korea’s version of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Image credit: @singaporeshowtime
Moving the bulk of their activities online, Gardens By The Bay’s website also now features Chinese dance duet performances. Learn how to craft a traditional good-luck-knot, write your own Haiku, or have fun with your little one making 3D paper pavilions as well!
Date: Until 4th October 2020
Time: 7PM-10PM, Daily
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Gardens By The Bay Mid-Autumn Festival’s website
3. Jewel Changi – lantern displays at Shiseido Valley
Image credit: @kopigunee
The manicured forests of Shiseido Valley at Jewel Changi are set to be lit up this year with hanging lantern displays, turning the area into a dreamy scene once the sun sets. Wander around the iconic rain vortex to spot installations of traditional festival motifs, and guess the number of lanterns hidden within a 4.2M-tall art installation to win prizes.
Moon rabbit installation
Image credit: @xiaojintan
Date: Until 11th October 2020
Address: 78 Airport Blvd, Singapore 819666
Jewel Changi Mid-Autumn Festival’s website
4. Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival – 1.5M-large lantern installations
Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
While last year’s presented a field of ethereal glowing flowers, this year’s Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival takes a much cuter approach, with 1.5M-large fish lanterns installed around the entrance of Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
Image adapted from: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Spot the colourful larger-than-life inflatable fish-shaped lanterns created in collaboration with Hong Kong-based artist Sunny Tam, who’s known for her adorable 78JO’ collectables. For those who prefer to stay home, join in on their family-friendly lineup of online activities with Mid-Autumn tales and craft tutorials for kids.
Bunny lantern craft tutorial
Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Date: Until 11th October 2020
Address: 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874
Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival’s website
5. Jurong Lake Gardens – fairy lights & Chinese ensemble music
Image credit: Delane Lim
Jurong Lake Gardens is known for its out-of-Singapore vibes, and this season, the park’s made yet more dreamy with neon art displays, fairy lights and traditional lanterns adorning its grounds. Catch them illuminated after dusk for the best experience!
Image credit: Foto Express
Music always amps up the festivity and on Jurong Lake Gardens website, you can catch an array of performances by local artistes like Two Four and Six Fusion – a fusion band that creates tunes with the Chinese Lute, Pipa and Erhu, alongside a Western six-stringed guitar.
Image credit: NParks
Alongside everything else, try their online games, trivia and bingo for a wholesome game night with the fam!
Date: Until 4th October 2020
Address: Yuan Ching Road, Singapore
Jurong Lake Gardens Mid-Autumn Festival’s Website
6. Moonfest at Esplanade – virtual lantern walk
Image credit: Esplanade
Lantern walks are, for most of us, a classic Mid-Autumn Festival activity from our childhood. Experience it online this year, with the Esplanade Moonfest’s interactive virtual lantern walk. Tour along the Esplanade’s waterfront while playing mini-games, and release digital fireworks into the sky at the end.
Image credit: @anything_in_singapore
If you’re in the area, also pop by to check out the colourful lantern displays lining the Esplanade’s Forecourt and Waterfront.
Date: Until 4th October 2020
Address: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Esplanade Moonfest’s website
7. Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre – riddles and brain teasers
Image credit: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
If you’re up for something that’ll churn the gears of your little one’s brain, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre has an array of online Mid-Autumn Festival entertainment with lantern riddles and brainteasers, along with a short video that uncovers the lesser-known legends of the festival.
Medleys of festival songs and reimagined artworks of Chinese mythology by local artists are also laid out on their website for you to enjoy, from the comforts of home.
Date: Until further notice
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s website
Where to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore
With ongoing Phase 2 restrictions, this year’s Mid-Autumn Festivals may be a little less extravagant than the previous years, but there are still plenty of fun activities in store from virtual lantern walks to music performances. Not to mention, the street light ups this year are a sight to behold as well!
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Cover image adapted from: Gardens By The Bay, @singaporeshowtime