Malaysia is home to the second largest community of overseas Chinese in the world. The Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Mooncake Festival or the Lantern Festival ) is one of the biggest celebrations for the Chinese in Malaysia.
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls annually on the fifteenth day of the eighth Chinese lunar month. In 2024, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 17th (Tuesday).
How to Celebrate Mooncake Festival in Malaysia
The celebration activities are different from year to year. You may can expect some of them as below:
1. Eat Mooncakes
Traditionally, many families of Chinese descent in Malaysia would make moon cakes of a variety of types. Today it is much more common to buy pre-made, packaged moon cakes, although some people still hunt out traditional hand-made ones.
2. Visit Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur
Date: undecided
Thean Hou Temple, a six-tiered Chinese temple and landmark in Kuala Lumpur, is one of the oldest and largest temples in Southeast Asia. The temple hosts a Mooncake Festival each year, adorning brightly lit lanterns all around its 6-tiers.
Offering prayers in the temple has always been a custom of Chinese people and the Thean Hou Temple is known as the temple of the Goddess of Heaven. Incense coils are commonly seen in the temple and thousands of devotees frequent the temple during Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Almost every year, the Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern Show is held there.
3. Visit Penang For The Mid-Autumn Festivities
Date: undecided
In Penang you can go to George Town to join the 'River of Lights' lantern parade, or you can enjoy the traditional Chinese lion and dragon dances and Wushu Competition at Straits Quay Square. There's a 'Night Lantern Walk' in Penang Hill where you can have a panoramic view of George Town.
4. Get a Taste of Moon Festival at Malls in Kuala Lumpur
There are usually a number of activities and events taking place in malls around Kuala Lumpur. From cultural performances to a bazaar, contests, and workshops, the malls such as The Mines Shopping Mall, Central Market, IPC Shopping Center have a number of exciting activities to entice you.
Want to share the Mid-Autumn Festival story with your family? The 3-minute video below will show you all about it.
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