Mid-Autumn Festival 2025
Date: October 6, 2025 (Monday)
Country: Taiwan Public Holidays
Description
The Mid Autumn Festival in Taiwan is a time for families to come together and celebrate the harvest. It honors the autumn season and gives people a chance to feel thankful for food and good fortune.
This holiday usually falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar. That means the date changes each year on the regular calendar. It often happens in September or early October.
In Taiwan the festival has deep cultural meaning. It connects people to old stories, nature, and the cycles of the moon. The moon is a symbol of reunion and completeness in many cultures.
Schools and workplaces may give time off so families can be together. Communities and neighborhoods also take part in public events that mark the season.
Overall the Mid Autumn Festival is significant because it strengthens family bonds and cultural identity. It helps people remember their history and appreciate the natural world and the passing of the seasons.
Traditions
Families gather in the evening to enjoy moon viewing. They sit outdoors on rooftops, parks, or balconies. People bring cushions, snacks, and tea while chatting and watching the bright moon together.
Food plays a big role. Mooncakes, both baked and snowskin, are shared and gifted. People also eat pomelo, taro, and sweet rice treats. Street stalls sell grilled squid and meats for festive meals.
Many households hold small offerings with fruit, cakes, and incense placed on simple altars. Children carry colorful paper lanterns or release sky lanterns in some towns. Lantern riddles and folk performances add to the lively atmosphere.
Travel Tips
Expect shops, banks and some government services to close or have reduced hours on festival days. Book trains, buses and ferries early. Night markets stay lively but are more crowded and traffic around parks and lantern sites gets heavy.
Carry cash and a power bank. Follow local crowd control signs and use official taxi apps. Join community events or small guided tours to experience local life safely. Respect quiet hours in residential areas and dispose of trash properly to keep places clean.