Mid-Autumn Festival Gathering: Mooncakes, Lanterns, Seating

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest and family festival celebrated by Chinese, Vietnamese and many other East and Southeast Asian families. It falls on the full moon of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, so the date moves each year, usually in September or early October. Check this year's date.

The heart of the evening is simple: family together, a full moon, food to share. In Chicago, many families celebrate at home, in a backyard or at a restaurant or hall, and Chinatown has its own events around the date. Check local listings for what is on. Traditions vary by family and by region, so adjust this guide to how you celebrate.

What happens at the gathering

• Moon viewing. Families go outside after dinner to see the full moon. It rises in the east around sunset, so you do not need to wait until midnight.
• Mooncakes. Round pastries, often filled with lotus seed paste, red bean or a salted egg yolk. They are rich and are cut into small wedges and shared.
• Tea. Hot tea is the usual drink. Oolong, jasmine or pu-erh are common.
• Fruit. Pomelo, grapes, pears, persimmons and apples.
• Lanterns. Paper or battery lanterns for children. In some communities, kids carry them in a short walk.
• Stories. The legend of Chang'e, the moon goddess, is often told to children.

Vietnamese families call the festival Tet Trung Thu, and it focuses on children, with lanterns, lion dances and star-shaped lanterns. Chinese families often focus on reunion and the round shape that stands for family togetherness. The details change from home to home.

Seating for the family

A reunion table is often round. A round table means everyone faces one another, and it fits the shape of the moon and the mooncake.

• 72-inch round table seats 10 comfortably. A 60-inch round seats 8. See round table sizes.
• Two tables for 15 to 20 guests, with the oldest family members at the table nearest the house.
• Chairs with arms or good back support for grandparents. See comfortable chairs for older guests.
• A lazy Susan on the table helps share dishes, mooncakes and fruit. Many Chinese families use one.
• A kids table with low chairs near the adults. See kids tables and chairs.

If you are planning around a family banquet, our guide to Lunar New Year banquet tables has similar seating notes. For a tea service, see Chinese tea ceremony seating and coffee and tea service rentals.

Mooncakes and tea

Mooncakes are dense and sweet, so serve small pieces. A plate of cut wedges and a pot of tea beside it is the classic pairing.

Serve tea in pots with small cups or a hot water urn. For 20 or more, an urn saves a lot of trips to the kitchen. See how many coffee urns for a party. Dinnerware rentals are useful if the gathering also includes a meal. See dinnerware and glassware.

Lanterns and a kids lantern walk

Lanterns are what kids remember. Paper lanterns with a battery light are safer than candles.

• Battery tea lights inside paper lanterns avoid fire risk. Open flames and kids do not mix, especially near paper. See lanterns and luminaries for events.
• A short route. Walk around the yard or down the block with the kids, 10 to 15 minutes. Have an adult at the front and the back.
• Hang lanterns from string over the table or from a shepherd's hook. See string light layouts.
• Check the street. If you walk on public streets, keep it short and stay on the sidewalk. Ask your village or city if you plan a bigger group.

The evening in Chicago

September and early October evenings are often cool. The sun sets around 6 or 7 pm and it gets chilly fast once the moon is up.

• Warmth. Patio heaters or blankets. See patio heaters: how many per guests.
• Clear view. Pick a spot with a clear view to the east, not under a big tree or behind a garage. Check where the moon rises in your yard.
• Rain plan. Fall rain is common. Have a table inside or a tent. See outdoor events in Chicago in October and outdoor events in Chicago in September.
• Light. Soft light so the moon is still seen. Use warm string lights low and few. See lighting color temperature.

Many Chicago families also join community events. Chinatown on the South Side often has activities around the festival, and other communities host their own. Check local listings for the date and times.

What most hosts find out too late

• Round tables are not always easy to get through gates. A 72-inch round top may not fit through a narrow Chicago gangway. Ask about a folding top, or measure first.
• Mooncakes are heavy and rich. Guests often eat a small piece. Do not buy too many, and keep the leftovers cool.
• Hot water needs power. An urn needs an outlet, and the cord cannot cross a path. See event power needs.
• The date can move. Because the festival follows the lunar calendar, a date on one calendar may differ from another. Confirm with your family before you book.
• Count at delivery. Count chairs and tables at drop-off.

Set up your festival evening

Book a free 15-minute planning call and we will help you choose round tables, chairs, a tea station and a heater for your guest count. Or get a quote with your date and address. We check the date with the rental companies for you.