Mid-Autumn Festival 17 Sep 2024

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
17 Sept 2026Santenay wine region, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France

More Desktop Wallpapers:

29 Apr 2025Garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
On the open ocean road
12 Sept 2026Last Night of the Proms
2 Feb 2025Alpine marmot
Celebrating the tropics
8 Dec 2025Christmas lights on buildings of Domaso, Lake Como, Italy
16 Jul 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
14 Sept 2026Field of kochia plants, China
7 Apr 2026International Beaver Day
Finding beauty in ruins
14 Jul 2024Burrowing owl chicks
31 Oct 2025Happy Halloween!
11 Nov 2024Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
11 Dec 2024International Mountain Day
28 Apr 2026Spectacled bear resting in tree, Ecuador
18 Apr 2026World Heritage Day
31 Jan 2025Happy International Zebra Day!
An architectural masterpiece fit for a king
In the running
A wave of remembrance
Swedish wilderness
Where did you drop the fish, son?
28 Jun 2024Stonewall uprising anniversary
Park of the Monsters
26 Sep 2024Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
1 Jul 2024Canada Day
30 May 2025Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
28 Nov 2023Giving Tuesday
10 Feb 2024South Downs Dark Skies Festival
1 Aug 2024Floating fruit market, Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh

Mid-Autumn Festival 17 Sep 2024

© Victor Y. Zhuo/Alamy Stock Photo

Today in History

More Desktop Wallpapers:

© Victor Y. Zhuo/Alamy Stock Photo