Mid-Autumn Festival 2025
Date: October 6, 2025 (Monday)
Country: Philippines Public Holidays
Description
The Mid Autumn Festival in the Philippines is a cultural holiday observed mostly by Chinese Filipino communities. It honors the full moon and celebrates family togetherness, reflecting both Chinese heritage and local Filipino culture.
The festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This means the date changes each year and usually comes in September or October in the Gregorian calendar.
For many people the holiday is a time to gather with loved ones and remember shared history. It is also an occasion to pause and appreciate nature, especially the bright full moon that symbolizes completeness and unity.
The festival is important because it connects generations and strengthens community bonds. It reminds people of ancestry, cultural identity, and the value of family support across the Filipino Chinese population.
Traditions
In the Philippines many Chinese Filipino families hold lantern parades and light paper lanterns at home. Children carry colorful lanterns and sing. Communities often stage lion and dragon dances at plazas and community centers to celebrate together.
Families gather for moon gazing and shared meals. They serve mooncakes, pastries, pomelo, and tea. People exchange mooncakes and gift boxes with friends and neighbors as a sign of goodwill and friendship.
Rituals include setting small altars with fruit and incense in some homes. Some families visit temples to offer prayers and give thanks. Schools and cultural groups put on performances and crafts workshops for lantern making.
Travel Tips
Check official schedules for government office and bank closures. Expect malls, markets, and transport hubs to be very busy. Book flights, buses, and hotels early. Allow extra travel time for traffic and longer queues at popular sites and restaurants.
Join public events and night markets to support local vendors. Stay in well lit areas, watch your belongings in crowds, follow police instructions, and avoid blocked roads. Bring cash for small stalls and carry a copy of your ID and emergency contacts for a smoother visit.