Your Guide to Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival in London

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese and many other Asian culture — and you don’t have to travel to China to experience it.

Every year, people around the world come together to celebrate with mooncakes, lanterns, tea, family gatherings and, of course, the full moon. In London, there are plenty of ways to experience the festival, whether you want to try traditional food, explore Chinese culture, join an event or create your own celebration.

So, if you’re wondering how to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in London, here are some ideas to get you started.

When is Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, follows the lunar calendar, so its date changes each year.

In 2026, Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday 25 September.

The festival takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, traditionally when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.

The full moon is an important symbol of reunion and togetherness, which is why gathering with family and friends is such an important part of the celebration.

What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Before looking at how to celebrate it in London, it helps to understand what the festival is about.

Known as 中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié) in Mandarin, Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated in China for centuries. It is also celebrated in different forms across East and Southeast Asia, including in Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Traditions vary between places and families, but some of the most recognisable elements include:

• Sharing mooncakes
• Admiring the full moon
• Carrying or displaying lanterns
• Drinking tea
• Reunion dinner with family and friends
• Giving mooncakes to loved ones

At its heart, the festival is about coming together. And that makes it a lovely occasion to celebrate with friends, family, classmates or colleagues.

1. Try Mooncakes in London

If there’s one food you should try during Mid-Autumn Festival, it’s mooncake.

Mooncakes are traditionally given and shared during the festival. They are usually round, representing the full moon and the idea of reunion.

There are many different types of mooncakes, and they can vary significantly depending on where they come from.

Traditional varieties might contain lotus seed paste, red bean paste or salted egg yolk, while modern mooncakes can include flavours such as custard, chocolate, matcha or fruit.

Part of the fun is trying different varieties and deciding which one you like best.

You can find mooncakes in various Chinese bakeries, restaurants and Asian supermarkets around London, particularly in the weeks leading up to the festival.

And if you’re giving mooncakes as a gift, don’t be surprised by the beautiful packaging. Mooncakes are traditionally exchanged as gifts, making them a popular way to show appreciation and share the spirit of the festival.

2. Visit Chinatown

London’s Chinatown is an obvious place to start if you’re looking to experience Chinese food and culture in the city.

Around Chinese festivals, the area can be particularly lively, with restaurants, bakeries and shops offering seasonal products and special menus.

While Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in London can vary from year to year, Chinatown is a great place to explore if you want to discover mooncakes, Chinese food and other festive treats.

Even if you don’t attend an organised festival event, simply spending an afternoon exploring the area can be a fun way to experience more of London’s Chinese community.

And don’t forget to look out for mooncakes!

3. Join a Mid-Autumn Festival Event

Another easy way to celebrate is to join an organised event.

London has a growing number of cultural events throughout the year, and Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception. Events can include food tastings, cultural performances, workshops, talks and family activities.

Some events are large public celebrations, while others are smaller workshops focused on a particular tradition.

You may also find events hosted by restaurants, hotels, community organisations, cultural groups and Asian businesses.

You can join Dear Asia London’s mooncake tasting and lantern making workshop to celebrate the festival in a fun and authentic way!

4. Make a Lantern

Lanterns are another familiar part of Mid-Autumn Festival.

Traditionally, lanterns can symbolise light, hope and celebration. In different parts of Asia, lantern traditions vary, and some celebrations involve children carrying colourful lanterns or displaying them during the festival.

Making your own lantern can be a simple and creative way to celebrate.

You could make a traditional-inspired paper lantern, decorate one with Chinese characters or create your own modern design.

It’s also a great activity for families, schools, community groups and anyone who wants a more hands-on way to experience the festival.

5. Learn About the Story of Chang’e

Mid-Autumn Festival is also connected with one of the most famous stories in Chinese mythology: the story of Chang’e and the Moon.

There are different versions of the legend, but the story centres around Chang’e, who is said to have travelled to the moon and become its immortal goddess.

This is one reason the moon has such an important place in Mid-Autumn Festival traditions.

Learning the story behind the celebration can make the festival feel much more meaningful than simply eating a mooncake.

You could read the story, watch a retelling or attend a cultural storytelling session.

It’s a great introduction to Chinese mythology and gives you some context for why the moon is at the centre of the festival.

6. Enjoy Chinese Tea

Mooncakes and tea are a natural combination.

Because mooncakes are often rich and sweet, Chinese tea is traditionally enjoyed alongside them.

Use Mid-Autumn Festival as an opportunity to explore Chinese tea culture. Try different varieties such as green tea, oolong or pu’er tea and discover how they taste alongside different mooncakes.

You could even turn it into your own mini tasting session at home.

Invite some friends, buy a few different mooncakes, make a pot of tea and see which combinations everyone prefers.

It doesn’t need to be complicated — sometimes the simplest celebrations are the most enjoyable.

7. Try Mahjong

Want to do something a little different? Try Mahjong.

Mahjong is a traditional Chinese tile game that has become popular around the world. While there are many different versions and regional variations, Mahjong is often associated with socialising and spending time around the table with others.

A beginner-friendly Mahjong session can be a fun way to bring people together during Mid-Autumn Festival.

You don’t need to know how to play beforehand. You can join a beginner mahjong workshop hosts by Dear Asia Mahjong School.

And if you’re celebrating with a group of friends or colleagues, it can make a great addition to a wider Mid-Autumn Festival gathering.

8. Create Your Own Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration

You don’t necessarily need to attend an organised event to celebrate.

Why not create your own?

A simple Mid-Autumn Festival gathering could include:

• A mooncake and Chinese tea tasting
• A lantern-making activity
• Learn The story of Chang’e
• A little moon-gazing
• A beginner Mahjong game

You could host it at home, in a community space, at a restaurant or even at your office. The best thing about Mid-Autumn Festival is that you can make the celebration as simple or elaborate as you like.

Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with Dear Asia London

If you’re looking for a more interactive way to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in London, why not bring the experience to your group?

At Dear Asia London, we create cultural workshops and bring festive celebration to life.

Our Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations can be tailored for groups who want to learn more about the festival while experience the traditions through interactive games, workshops and food tasting. This includes:

🥮 Mooncake & Tea tasting — discover the history, traditions and different flavours of mooncakes with pairing Chinese teas.

🏮 Asian cultural crafts — get creative with a hands-on activity inspired by the festival.

🀄 Mahjong — learn how to play this fun classic Chinese game in just one class and enjoy some friendly competition.

🌕 Mid-Autumn Festival stories and traditions — learn about the meaning behind the festival and the traditions that surround it.

We can bring the celebration to your office, or any venue in London, making it easy to create a cultural experience that works for your group.

Whether you’re planning a team celebration, an ESEA Heritage Month programme, a community event or simply want to do something different with friends, Mid-Autumn Festival is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together.