Chinese Festivals and Events

Mid-Autumn Festival Dates in China for 2021, 2022,2023

By Fercility JiangUpdated Mar. 25, 2021

In 2021, the Mid-Autumn Festival will fall on September 21st (Tuesday). In 2021, Chinese people will enjoy an 3-day break from Sep.19 to 21.

Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar, which is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar.

Mid-Autumn falls as early as September 8 (2033) and as late as October 6 (2025) in the next 30 years.

3-Day Break in 2021

Normally, Chinese people will have a three-day "public holiday" on the Mid-Autumn Festival — a normal weekend off for 5-day week workers, however...

When Mid-Autumn occurs at the end of September or early October its statutory day of public holiday is usually combined with the statutory National Day. 

Why Mid-Autumn Is Celebrated at Month 8 Day 15

Traditional Calendar Seasons

According to the Chinese lunar calendar (and traditional solar calendar), the 8th month is the second month of autumn. As the four seasons each have three (about-30-day) months on the traditional calendars, day 15 of month 8 is "the middle of autumn".

For the Full Moon

On the 15th of the lunar calendar, each month, the moon is at its roundest and brightest, symbolizing togetherness and reunion in Chinese culture. Families get together to express their familial love by eating dinner together, appreciating the moon, eating mooncakes, etc. The harvest moon is traditionally believed to be the brightest of the year.

For Harvest Celebration

Month 8 day 15, is traditionally the time rice is supposed to mature and be harvested. So people celebrate the harvest and worship their gods to show their gratitude.

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