Mid-Autumn Festival 17 Sep 2024

Mid-Autumn Festival

For many Asian cultures, the point at which the moon reaches its fullest during the harvest season marks the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. It"s traditionally observed on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Dating back more than 3,000 years to China"s Shang Dynasty, this festival celebrates moon watching and the end of the harvest season. During the festivities, mooncakes—round delicacies filled with sweet bean paste, salted egg yolks or lotus seeds—are often shared among friends and family. Lanterns of different shapes, sizes and hues, symbolising good fortune, illuminate the night. Asian communities across the world come together to showcase a mélange of cultural performances, heartfelt renditions of the Moon Festival"s poetic tales.

© Victor Y. Zhuo/Alamy Stock Photo

palette

Today in History

Crystal clear
17 Sep 2025A young bull moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Happy Yorkshire Day!
26 May 2025Baobab trees, Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
2 Oct 2024Wind River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA
13 Sep 2023Hemakuta Hill, Hampi
Blending in nicely
24 Jun 2026Pollinator Week
3 Mar 2024World Wildlife Day
12 Apr 2025International Day of Human Space Flight
Cosmic cliffs
The play’s the thing
11 Oct 2023The Painted Hills, Oregon, USA
10 Jan 2024Mylopotamos, Thessaly, Greece
27 Jun 2026Boneyard Beach, Hunting Island, South Carolina, United States
25 Aug 2025Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
An island park
23 Apr 2026Saint Georges Day
19 Mar 2024Cave Dale and Peveril Castle, Derbyshire
8 Sep 2025International Literacy Day
The oldest way to fly
Peek-a-boo, I see you!
20 Apr 2026Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah, United States
Piecing together a better tomorrow
4 Jul 2026Pride in London
Pick your paradise
A beacon in the golden light
9 Nov 2025Remembrance Sunday
18 Jan 2025National Winnie-the-Pooh Day
Butterfly, fly away
12 Nov 2024Arches National Park, Utah, United States
29 Jan 2026Milwaukee City Hall, Wisconsin, United States