The Mid-Autumn Festival is right around the corner and, while the Covid-19 pandemic has put a damper on most of the celebrations this year, Klang Valley is still managing to celebrate this age-old festival in style.
Mid-Autumn Festival takes place in order to celebrate the end of the autumn harvest. This typically occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, which falls on the 1st of October this year. So, keep your calendars free because not only can you enjoy this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival with your friends and family at home, you can also visit any of these gorgeous locations to enjoy the festivities together.
1. Hops and Dreams, Kwai Chai Hong
The Kwai Chai Hong heritage site is a beauty for both the eyes and the soul. This year, the backstreets of China Town have been brought to life with stunning decorations that will ignite your nostalgic feelings for Mid-Autumn celebrations in a heartbeat.
Eight local artists are now displaying their own interpretations of the Jade Rabbit at this location, making it one of the perfect spots for photo lovers to capture beautiful festive memories. There are also many unique street murals, local fares and cafes which you can patronise to experience an authentic celebration for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival.
2. Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur
Thean Hou Temple is one of the oldest and largest temples in Southeast Asia. This six-tier grandly historical site showcases traditional Chinese architecture and design, which makes it a uniquely ideal venue for your Mid-Autumn celebrations.
During this annual festival, the temple typically marks this moment by offering mooncakes, fruits, Chinese teas and assorted meat dishes to the Gods in order to give thanks for the year’s bountiful produce. Additionally, there is also a lantern procession which finally creates a sense of complete authenticity as you celebrate the end of harvest while being surrounded with the richness of age-old culture and customs.
3. Creative Lantern Making Competition, Aeon Mall Cheras Selatan
If you’re a teen aged 16 years or up, then this is the ideal Mid-Autumn Festival activity for you! If you spend RM50 or more in a single or combined receipt on the same day at Aeon Mall, Cheras, then you automatically qualify to enter their Creative Lantern Making Competition. Simply register at the Mall Information Counter to participate and, stand the chance to win shopping vouchers for the most creative lantern.
Entries for the competition must be submitted by 25th September and the lanterns will be displayed on 26th September from 6pm – 9pm.
4. DIY Creative Lantern Contest, China Cultural Centre In Kuala Lumpur
This lantern making contest is not restricted to only kids, but welcomes eagerly adults as well! What’s extra-special about this specific contest is that the lantern-making needs to be done using recycled materials. Being able to participate in fun Mid-Autumn festivities and being able to be eco-friendly all at the same time sounds like a dream come true.
5. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Step into the Mooncake Fair at Centre Court and admire the awesome sight of over 2,000 colourful hanging lanterns and brightly-lit fish and flower décor lining the Spanish Steps, encapsulating the beauty and bounty of mid-autumn.
There are also a symphony of events including a fascinating Symphony Drum Show, singing performances, LED dragon performance, as well as traditional workshops to learn new skills, from lantern and polymer clay craft to the art of making mooncakes.
6. Da Men Mall, USJ
Featuring the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and sakura trees adorned with multi-coloured lanterns, Da Men USJ’s Mid-Autumn Zodiac Garden certainly offers plenty of Insta-worthy moments. Do drop by the mall’s Lantern Street where a Lantern Mini Parade will take place on 26th September. Visitors will get to take part in various fun performances, a costume competition and a lucky draw.
7. The Waterfront, Desa Park City
The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on a full moon day, and so it is best to be able to celebrate this occasion at a place where you can fully enjoy the moon in all its glory. Thus, the large open space at Desa Park City’s waterfront is well-suited for having a good view of the moon and to watch its light soothingly reflect on the lake.
This space is the perfect location for families to gather together, offer sacrifices to the moon, indulge in mooncakes and light up lanterns. As families gather in groups of both adults and children alike during this time of the year, Desa Park City is hosting a rabbit lantern making workshop for all the kiddies.
The registration for the workshop is RM 58 per child and it will take place from 10am to 11am on 26th and 27th September 2020. If you’re interested in registering your child to join the workshop, contact the Mini & Moments Team at 017-6500 976.
8. Central i-City Mall, Shah Alam
Central i-City Mall is one of the most eventful venues to visit this Mid-Autumn as they have set up some super exciting games and challenges! Under the theme “To The Moon and Back” the highlight of the mall’s festivities is the Indoor Archery Challenge. With every RM100 (multiple receipts) spent at the mall, shoppers will be given 1 entry fly arrows, capture suns and win prizes worth up to RM11,500 in total!
But if you’re more brains than brawn and prefer not to fly arrows, then you can also participate in the Oh My Lantern challenge where shoppers have to solve riddles that are hang on the decorative lanterns. You can join this challenge for free, so get an empty answer slip from the Customer Service Counter and start unriddling at the Oh My Lantern booth! If you answer everything correctly you can win a collapsible organiser box!
Central i-City Mall is bound to put you in a festive mood this Mid-Autumn festival with its beautiful hanging lanterns, exciting activities, a car boot sale and picture-perfect instagrammable booths! What more can one need for a wholesome celebration!
9. Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang
Penang is a valued heritage hub that holds some of Malaysia’s most historical sites. Out of these is the Kek Lok Si Buddhist temple, which is the largest temple in the country. This monumental temple is decorated with lanterns and filled with gorgeous light displays that makes one feel like they’re stepping into a fairy tale. The temple is ideal for celebrating this auspicious festival while being surrounded by age-old culture and beauty.
While in Penang, festival-goers can also attend the River of Lights lantern parade in George Town or enjoy traditional Chinese lion and dragon dances at Straits Quay Square. Typically there’s also a Night Lantern Walk in Penang Hill, where family and friends can enjoy a panoramic view of George Town together.
We hope you get to visit at least one of the places for your Mid-Autumn festivities, as we’re sure you’ll have a great time with your loved ones. Nevertheless, wherever you may be for this year’s celebrations, we from Hype wish you have a very happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
