Moon Cakes, photo by Stu Spivak, Wikimedia

The August Moon Festival, also called the Mid-Autumn Festival, is one of the most popular Chinese holidays. Traditionally, the festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and is intended to celebrate the end of the harvest season.

The legend of the August Moon 

Chinese legend says that the moon is the highest and roundest on this day, according to an article by Bet Key Wong on the website The Family Culture. Wong writes that the August Moon is the time when friendships are renewed and romance blossoms, at least according to legend. The August Moon Festival is also often referred to as the Woman's Festival, because the moon symbolizes "beauty and elegance", according to Wong.

 August Moon Festival in Boston

Here in Boston, The August Moon Festival is the largest street festival of the year in Boston's Chinatown. The local Chinese community plans to celebrate the holiday on Sunday, August 15 in  Chinatown on Harrison, Hudson, Tyler and Beach Streets.  The all day event will run from 10AM to 5PM

The celebration includes cultural and stage entertainment  as well as culinary opportunities, such as enjoying the traditional lotus seed  filled Moon Cakes, dim sum, or Asian pastries.

Sponsors of the August Moon Festival 

The Chinatown Business Association, The Chinatown Community of New England, The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), , and the Chinatown Main Street  group are joint hosts of the event. Admission is free.

For more information:

Visit  the Chinatown Main Street group website or call The Chinatown Main Street Group at (617) 350-6303.

Visit the Family  Culture website