Here Are the Dates for the Mid Autumn Festival in 2022, 2023, 2024

Mid Autumn Festival is held every 15th of the 8th Lunar month in the Chinese calendar. On the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls around September or early October.

In 2022, the festival (which is often associated with the popular Mooncake) will fall on Saturday, September 10^th 2022.

A. Mid Autumn Festival is Celebrated as a National Holiday in China

Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated as a National Holiday, which spans up to 3 days, starting from the 15^th to the 17^th of the Lunar calendar.

The holiday will always be celebrated regardless of the dates. If the festival falls on the end of September or Early October, it will be very close to the China National Day, which falls on the 1^st of October. Hence, it could (very well) reach up to about 10 days of holiday!

Also read : Here Are the Top 10 Popular Greetings Used on Mooncake Festival

When Mooncake Festival Dates Celebrated?

• Mooncake 2017: Wednesday, October 4^th 2017
• Mooncake 2018: Monday, September 24^th 2018
• Mooncake 2019: Friday, September 13^th 2019

• Mooncake 2020: Thursday, October 1^st 2020
• Mooncake 2021: Tuesday, September 21^st 2021
• Mooncake 2022: Saturday, September 10^th 2022

• Mooncake 2023: Friday, September 23^st 2023
• Mooncake 2024: Tuesday, September 17^st 2024

For the next 30 years, the Mid Autumn Festival will be celebrated at its earliest on the September 8^t of 2033, whereas the latest date would fall on the October 6^th of 2025.

B. Why is the Mid Autumn Festival Celebrated on the 15^th of the 8^th Lunar Month?

1. Traditional Calendar Season

According to the dating system for both the Chinese Lunar and traditional solar calendar, the 8^th lunar month is the second month of the fall season.

Seeing that there are a total of 4 seasons, each with a 3 month period (~30 days) on the traditional calendar, the 15^th of the 8^th month is deemed appropriate to be celebrated as ”mid-autumn”.

Also read : Mooncake, Special food for the Tiong Chiu Pia / Mid Autumn Festival

2. Believed as a Full Moon Celebration

It is the common belief that on the 15^th of the 8^th month in the Lunar calendar, the moon will reach its highest possible position to be a full moon and emanating its brightest light. In the Chinese tradition, this phenomenon also represents an aspect of togetherness and reunion.

Families will get together with lots of love to share with one another. They will be having lots of fun like dinner, moon gazing, and of course: eating the special mooncake.

Also read : The legend of Chang’e and Hou Yi; A Love Story between a Pretty Woman and the 9 Sun Archer.

As a Celebration for Harvesting

Traditionally speaking, the 15^th of the 8^th Month in the Lunar calendar is regarded as the time for rice to be harvested. So, Chinese people will celebrate the harvest while giving thanks to the God (天; Tian).

Also read : Here Are the 10 best Mooncake flavors; The Delicacy of Eastern and Western Flavors.

Also read : Schedule of the Chinese Celebration Festival in 2022