Dancing in the Moonlight

If someone refers to your butt as "bat yuet sap ng" (the 8th month, 15th day), you should take it as a compliment since at that time in the lunar calendar the moon is at its fullest and roundest (and, heck, who doesn’t like to get a little back?) Mid-Autumn night is on the 18th this month, and traditions have evolved from emperors offering sacrifices at the moon altar to an occasion for a chilled-out family get-together.

Many families have dinner before packing a picnic of fruit and mooncakes and heading out for a little moon gazing. The idea is to take the opportunity to retell myths to drum in some moral lessons for children. But they're usually on a sugar high, running around swinging their noisy, flashing lanterns, threatening the woodlands with a potential fire hazard. That’s not too far from the Mid-Autumn folk tale in which the Jade Emperor was about to unleash a firestorm as revenge for the killing of his favorite goose. Mid-Autumn was his night of retribution, but the town people lit lanterns to fool him into thinking the town was already ablaze in order to save themselves from his wrath. In modern days, the festival is considerably less dramatic - and a lot more fun.

The Festivities

The waxing and waning of the moon is said to be like the coming and going of crowds of people, so what matters most during this time of year is a harmonious reunion under the full moon. Plans tend to be made at the last minute, and gatherings take place on the days before and after Mid-Autumn as well as on the night itself. There are, however, many organized events.

Lantern Carnivals

Every year the Leisure and Cultural Services Department arranges events across Hong Kong, each with their own themed lantern display and a special Carnival Night with scheduled performances. It’s a great place for children to show off their lanterns, meet costumed entertainers and watch cultural song and dance.

Tai Hang

For more than a century, a three-night ritual has taken place along the small streets outside Lin Fa Kung Temple, behind the Causeway Bay recreation grounds. It’s worth the trek to see the 100-men, 67-meter-long fire dragon dance, joss-stick jugglers, dancing girls and crashing drums and cymbals. Get there at 7pm before the crowd builds up, or just catch it at Victoria Park on Sunday.

From Causeway Bay, walk down Tung Lo Wan Road, then take Wun Sha Street to Lily Street.

Tsim Sha Tsui Harbour Promenade

The most touristy destination is the promenade near the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. Six hundred lanterns will be hanging along the Avenue of the Stars, a Chinese orchestra will perform opera and folk songs, a lantern riddle game for kids (from 8:30pm) and there’ll be a laser show over the skyline. Don’t forget to take a cheesy photo with the resident “Moon Lady.” Take exit E from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR. Enquiries: 3118-3000