Lanterns, mooncakes, crafts and carnivals make the Mid-Autumn Festival (October 5) the most fun and romantic in the Chinese Calendar. For those interested in learning more about the food, history and rituals associated with the festival, Yvonne Thompson will be holding a two-hour talk ($150), including mooncake- and Chinese tea-tasting, at the YWCA, 3/F, 1 MacDonnell Road (tel: 2522-4291). One custom is the exchange of mooncakes. For a new twist on the traditional egg yolk and lotus-paste variety, try Mrs Field's chocolate mooncake ($126 for four; $63 for two) or TCBY's Yog-A-Mooncake - frozen yoghurt with a mocha coating ($198 for four).

Those with the money can splash out on Cova's $3,888 Phantom of Galaxy hamper, which comes with mooncakes, fruit, champagne and Italian delicacies. Call 2832-9008. Outstanding entries to this year's Lantern Design Competition will be displayed at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre from September 27 to October 10, with winning entries on show at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival at Victoria Park on October 5. Call 2868-0000 for carnival details. And if you donate $50 or more to the Community Chest to join Dress Casual Day, also on October 5, you won't even have to go home to get changed. Call 2599-6111 for enrolment forms.