Mid-Autumn Festival 2026

What makes Mid-Autumn Festival truly magical is the awakening of our senses: The glow of vibrant lantern displays, the laughter shared on a traditional lantern walk, the nostalgic scent of burning candles and the sharp crackle of firecrackers filling the night sky. 

Beyond these sights and sounds, the true essence of the festival lies in the rich sweetness of mooncakes and the warm, kindred spirit of togetherness.

Explore our handpicked list of recommended celebration spots below and make sure to save the important dates so you don't miss out on this year's lineup. 

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The Official Date: 25 September 2026, Friday (15th day of the 8th Lunar Month)
The Significance: The day of the full harvest moon, celebrated with family gatherings, mooncake and lanterns.
Major Lineup Teasers: 
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre 19 - 20tSeptember
Garden By The Bay 12 - 27 September
Chinatown Singapore 11 September - 4 October
Jurong Lake Gardens 19 to 27 September


Image credit: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

1. Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre: Mid Autumn Family FUN (MAFF)

Mid-Autumn Family FUN (MAFF) is jointly organized by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO).

Dates: 19 - 20 September 2026
Time: 1 PM - 9 PM - Performance and workshop timings vary by session.
Features: 25 family-friendly activities, including a Mid-Autumn rooftop installation, mooncake tasting, moon and stargazing, hands-on workshops, free craft activities, cultural performances, and more.
Admission: FREE PUBLIC EVENT, Includes both free and paid activities/workshops - Eligible Singapore Citizens can use their SG Culture Pass credits to offset ticket costs for eligible MAFF 2026 programmes.

Free Attractions:
Entry to the festival area, cultural performances, hands-on craft activities, moongazing, lantern making, a complimentary photo booth, mooncake and tea tasting, an interactive mass lantern walk, enchanting light displays, and an immersive theatre performance.

Paid Attractions:
Workshops such as Pastel Nagomi Art, Tea Whisking & Painting, and a TCM Cold Brew Tea Workshop. Paid performances include A Voyage of Voices: Moonbound conducted by Principal Conductor Quek Ling Kiong.

Note: Performances run from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM (last performance starts at 7:00 PM).

Image credit: Gardens by the Bay

2. Gardens by the Bay: A Whimsical World of Light

Dates: 12 - 27 September 2026
Time: 6 PM - 10 PM - Performance and workshop timings vary by session.
Features: A spectacular lantern display guided by Fenbao and friends—beloved local cartoon characters. Wander through glowing gardens, explore a food and beverage marketplace, visit the craft corner, and enjoy LED lion and dragon dance performances.
Admission: Free - Charges apply for carnival games and rides

Event Highlights:
Colonnade of Lights: Featuring 1,000 colorful lanterns, each uniquely designed and hand-painted by people from all walks of life. A craft corner with self-guided activities is also available (fees apply).

LED Lion Dance: Kick off the festival with illuminated lions featuring lively movements and vibrant lights. Happening on 12 September at 8:30 PM at the Supertree Grove Lawn.

Dragon Dance: Catch the grand finale on the final day of the festival. Happening on 27 September at 7:30 PM at the Supertree Grove Lawn.

Marketplace: A curated selection of food and beverages, alongside exciting carnival games and family-friendly rides.

Note: Only battery-operated lanterns are allowed in the Gardens. Open flames, including lighted candles, are strictly prohibited.


Image credit: Chinatown Singapore

3. Chinatown Singapore: Kreta Ayer Square

Dates: 11 September - 4 October 2026 
Time: 6 PM onwards
Features: Community lantern booths and displays, a lantern design competition, and an exciting procession night.
Admission: Free

Event Highlights:
Community Lantern Displays: This year’s celebration focuses on community-led art. Residents and visitors can write their wishes on lanterns at the Kreta Ayer Community Club to add to the public installations. Glowing displays will be set up along Kreta Ayer Square and Banda Street.

Procession Night: Join the "Light a Lantern, Share Your Blessing" mass procession on 19 September for a grand evening out. Enjoy mooncakes, tea, lantern riddles in four languages, and a lantern design competition.


Image credit: Jurong Lake Gardens

4. Jurong Lake Gardens: Lights By The Lake

Dates: 19 - 27 September 2026 (Lantern displays till 4 Oct 2026)
Time: 630 PM - 1030 PM
Features: Larger-than-life lantern displays, cultural showcases, live music, guided tours, exhibitions, family activities, a food market, and bouncy castles across Lakeside Garden, Chinese Garden, and Japanese Garden.
Admission: Free - Charges apply for carnival games, rides and food.

Event Highlights by Zone:

Lakeside Garden (Wave Plaza & Lakeside Field)
Lantern Riddles: Unravel traditional riddles for an evening of friendly competition and festive fun. Happening 21 – 25 September from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Roving Art Studio by National Gallery Singapore: A living gallery showcasing nature-inspired masterpieces from the National Collection, featuring a hands-on activity inspired by Georgette Chen’s Still Life (Weekends only).

Taman Jurong CACC PAssionArts Festival: Enjoy "Slow Threads Art" alongside stage performances, including puppet storytelling, the New Gen Wind Symphony, and live buskers on 20 September.

Food Market: Open daily from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM.

Bouncy Castles & Games: Hosted by Families for Life from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM (Weekends only).


Chinese Garden (Various Landmarks)
Xiao Qing's Special Delivery: A Chinese Garden Stamp Rally curated by the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Complete the rally to receive a special keepsake. Redemption is available only on 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 September from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival: Enjoy hands-on activities like lantern making, Hanfu dress-up photography, and discovery games at the Bonsai Garden.

Guided Tour of the Edible Garden: "From Seed to Table!" Discover the fascinating world of fruits and vegetables. Registration is required (Weekends only, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM).

LED Lion Dance: Enjoy a burst of color and rhythm to bring good fortune and festive vibes. Happening on 20 and 27 September at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM at the Grand Arch.

NParks Concert Series in the Park (Rockestra®): Kick off the festivities with "Hits Through the Decades," featuring your favorite Mandopop and English classics.

Movie Screenings: Catch Migration on 26 September at 8:00 PM and The Wild Robot on 27 September at 7:00 PM at the Ficus Lawn.

Japanese Garden (Various Landmarks)
Don't Play Play: Explore how traditional games arrived in Singapore, revisit childhood favorites, and collect stamps to complete your very own airplane chess board to take home.

Celestial Nights: Join the Science Centre Singapore for a stargazing session beneath the full moon. Embark on the Celestial Trail from the Kinetic Garden to the Breathing Gallery to discover facts about the moon and the solar system's planets. Happening 25 – 26 September from 6:30 PM to 10:10 PM at the Water Lily Pavilion.


Let’s Make Magical Memories Together!

Whether you're planning a romantic evening under the lanterns at Gardens by the Bay, a fun family day out at Jurong Lake Gardens, or a nostalgic walk through Chinatown, there is so much magic waiting for us this year.

At the end of the day, the Mid-Autumn Festival isn't just about the dazzling light displays or the delicious mooncakes—it is about the people we share them with. It’s a beautiful, yearly reminder to step away from our screens, look up at the full moon, and celebrate the warmth of family and friendships.

Share the Glow!

Wishing you a season filled with love, laughter, and plenty of sweet treats. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone!

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