Quick answer: Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 falls on September 25. It’s one of the most important holidays in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other Asian cultures—marked by mooncakes, lantern displays, and family gatherings. While it’s not a US public holiday, it’s widely celebrated across Asian American communities nationwide.
Every autumn, as the full moon rises and the air turns crisp, millions of Asian Americans pause to celebrate one of the most meaningful festivals in their cultural calendar. The Mid-Autumn Festival—also called the Moon Festival or Harvest Moon Festival—brings together families, friends, and communities over mooncakes, glowing lanterns, and centuries-old traditions.
For Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other Asian American families, this holiday carries real weight. It’s a time to reconnect with heritage, honor ancestors, and share a meal under the brightest moon of the year. And while the US doesn’t observe it as a public holiday, that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a major cultural and retail moment in cities across the country.
Whether you’re planning to celebrate for the first time or you’re a long-time observer looking for what’s happening near you, here’s everything you need to know about Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 in the United States.
When Is Mid-Autumn Festival 2026?
Mid-Autumn Festival always falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar—the night of the year’s fullest, brightest moon. In 2026, that date lands on Friday, September 25.
The festival date shifts each year relative to the Gregorian calendar because it follows the lunar cycle. In 2025, it falls on October 6. In 2026, it moves earlier to late September.
Most celebrations take place on the evening of September 25, when the moon is at its fullest. However, community events, markets, and lantern festivals often begin a week or two before, so it’s worth checking your local calendar early.
What Is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years, originating in China before spreading across East and Southeast Asia. At its core, it’s a harvest festival—a time to give thanks for abundance and reunite with loved ones.
The holiday holds different names and slightly different traditions depending on cultural background:
- Chinese communities call it Zhōngqiū Jié (中秋节) and celebrate with mooncakes, tea, and moon-gazing.
- Vietnamese communities celebrate Tết Trung Thu, which has an especially child-centered focus, with lantern processions and lion dances.
- Korean communities observe Chuseok, a multi-day harvest holiday that overlaps in spirit but has its own distinct customs, including ancestral rites and traditional foods like songpyeon (rice cakes).
Despite regional differences, common threads run through all versions of the festival: the full moon, family reunions, and symbolic foods shared across generations.
Mid-Autumn Festival Traditions in the US
Asian American communities across the US have adapted Mid-Autumn Festival traditions to their new home, blending cultural heritage with local flavor. Here’s what you can expect to see in 2026.
Mooncakes: The Symbol of the Season
No Mid-Autumn Festival is complete without mooncakes. These dense, round pastries are packed with sweet or savory fillings—lotus seed paste, red bean, salted egg yolk, and, increasingly, creative modern flavors like matcha, durian, and even chocolate.
Mooncakes are typically gifted to family, friends, and colleagues as a sign of goodwill. In major US cities, Asian bakeries and specialty stores begin stocking mooncakes weeks before the festival. Premium gift boxes from brands like Kee Wah Bakery and online retailers make it easy to order ahead.
If you want the best selection, shop early—popular varieties sell out fast.
Lantern Displays and Festivals
Lanterns are a hallmark of the Mid-Autumn Festival, especially in Vietnamese tradition. Children carry paper lanterns shaped like fish, stars, and rabbits, while community parks and cultural centers light up with elaborate displays.
In 2026, look for public lantern festivals in cities with large Asian American populations, including:
- San Francisco’s Chinatown and Richmond District
- Los Angeles’s San Gabriel Valley
- New York City’s Flushing and Manhattan Chinatown
- Houston’s Bellaire neighborhood
- Chicago’s Chinatown Square
Many of these events also feature live performances, traditional music, food stalls, and cultural exhibitions.
Family Reunions and Traditional Meals
The Mid-Autumn Festival is, above all, a time for family. Much like Thanksgiving in the US, the holiday centers on gathering around a table and sharing a meal. Traditional dishes vary by culture but often include whole roasted duck or chicken, taro, pumpkin, and seasonal fruits—all foods associated with abundance and the harvest.
For many Asian American families separated by distance, the festival is an occasion to travel home or arrange a video call when in-person reunion isn’t possible.
Mid-Autumn Festival and US Banks: What to Know
Mid-Autumn Festival is not a US federal holiday, which means American banks and financial institutions operate on their normal schedules on September 25, 2026.
That said, there are a few things worth knowing if you’re managing finances around the holiday:
US banks will be open. Standard banking hours apply on September 25. ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps will function as usual throughout the day and evening.
International timing may vary. If you’re sending or receiving money internationally—say, to family in China, Vietnam, or South Korea—keep in mind that financial institutions in those countries may observe the holiday differently. Banks in mainland China typically close for the Mid-Autumn Festival as part of a public holiday. Vietnam and South Korea also recognize it, with varying closure periods. Processing times for international transfers may be slightly longer around the holiday period due to higher volumes and potential bank closures abroad.
Plan transfers early. If you need money to arrive before September 25, initiating your transfer a few days ahead is a smart move—especially for transfers to regions where banks may be closed or operating on reduced hours around the holiday.
Mid-Autumn Festival 2026: Where to Celebrate in the US
San Francisco Bay Area
The Bay Area hosts some of the largest Mid-Autumn Festival events in the country, thanks to its significant Chinese and Vietnamese American populations. San Francisco’s Chinatown typically holds a street fair with lantern giveaways, live entertainment, and mooncake vendors. The Fremont Central Park area also draws large crowds for community-organized celebrations.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles’s San Gabriel Valley is a hub for Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, with events at local cultural centers, shopping malls, and community parks. The 626 Night Market, one of the largest Asian American night markets in the US, sometimes holds special seasonal editions around this time.
New York City
Flushing, Queens—home to one of the largest Chinese-speaking communities outside of Asia—is a prime spot for Mid-Autumn Festival festivities. Expect mooncake pop-ups, cultural performances, and lantern displays in and around Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Manhattan’s Chinatown also comes alive with events organized by local cultural associations. Check listings from the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) for curated programming.
Houston and Dallas
Texas has a fast-growing Asian American population, and both Houston and Dallas host community events around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Houston’s Asia Society Texas Center frequently organizes cultural programming, while the Dallas-Fort Worth area sees celebrations organized through local Vietnamese and Chinese American associations.
Beyond the Big Cities
You don’t need to live in a major metro to participate. Many universities with large international student populations—including those in the Midwest and Southeast—host Mid-Autumn Festival events open to the public. Check campus cultural center websites and local community boards for listings closer to the date.
How to Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 at Home
If you can’t make it to a public event, celebrating at home is just as meaningful. A few ideas:
- Order mooncakes in advance. Many Asian bakeries offer online ordering with nationwide shipping. Brands like Sheng Kee Bakery and Wing Wah ship to most US states.
- Make tang yuan or mooncakes from scratch. Recipe videos from creators in the Asian American food community make it accessible even for beginners.
- Set up a moon-viewing spot. On the night of September 25, find an open space with a clear sky, brew a pot of tea, and take a moment to enjoy the full moon with family or friends.
- Share the story. If you’re celebrating with children, the legend of Chang’e—the moon goddess central to Mid-Autumn Festival mythology—is a beautiful way to connect younger generations with the holiday’s roots.
The Cultural and Commercial Significance of Mid-Autumn Festival in the US
Mid-Autumn Festival has grown into a meaningful retail moment in the US, particularly in cities with large Asian American communities. Supermarket chains like 99 Ranch Market, H Mart, and Hong Kong Supermarket dedicate significant shelf space to mooncakes and seasonal products in the weeks leading up to the festival.
American retailers have taken notice too. Starbucks and Häagen-Dazs have released mooncake collections in recent years. Luxury brands—including Godiva and various high-end hotel chains—produce premium mooncake gift sets marketed to both Asian American consumers and corporate gift buyers.
According to data from the US Census Bureau, the Asian American population reached approximately 24 million in 2023, making it one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the country. As that population grows, so does the cultural and economic footprint of festivals like Mid-Autumn.
Carrying on the Tradition, Wherever You Are
The Mid-Autumn Festival is more than a date on the calendar. For Asian American families across the US, it’s a thread connecting them to something larger—a culture, a history, and the people they love, wherever in the world those people happen to be.
Mark September 25, 2026 on your calendar. Order the mooncakes. Hang a lantern. Find your patch of moonlight. The rest will follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 in the United States?
Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 falls on Friday, September 25. The holiday follows the lunar calendar, occurring on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month—the date of the year’s fullest moon. Celebrations typically begin in the evening when the moon rises.
Is Mid-Autumn Festival a public holiday in the US?
No. Mid-Autumn Festival is not a federal or state public holiday in the United States. Government offices, schools, and most businesses remain open on September 25, 2026. However, the holiday is widely celebrated by Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other Asian American communities across the country.
Are US banks open on Mid-Autumn Festival 2026?
Yes. Because Mid-Autumn Festival is not a US public holiday, American banks operate on their regular schedules on September 25, 2026. Online banking, ATMs, and mobile apps will all function normally.
Will Mid-Autumn Festival affect international money transfers in 2026?
It can, depending on where you’re sending money. Banks in mainland China, Vietnam, and South Korea may close or operate on reduced hours around the Mid-Autumn Festival. This could slow processing times for international transfers. If you need funds to arrive before the holiday, it’s a good idea to initiate your transfer a few days early.
What foods are traditionally eaten during Mid-Autumn Festival?
Mooncakes are the most iconic food of the festival—round pastries filled with lotus paste, red bean, salted egg yolk, or a range of modern flavors. Other traditional foods include taro, pumpkin, seasonal fruits, and dishes like roasted duck or chicken. Vietnamese communities often prepare bánh nướng and bánh dẻo (Vietnamese-style mooncakes), while Korean families may make songpyeon for Chuseok.
Where can I buy mooncakes in the US for Mid-Autumn Festival 2026?
Mooncakes are available at Asian supermarkets like 99 Ranch Market, H Mart, and Hong Kong Supermarket, as well as Asian bakeries in major cities. Many bakeries also offer online ordering with nationwide shipping. For premium or gift-boxed options, brands like Kee Wah Bakery and Sheng Kee offer a wide selection. Stock up early—popular varieties tend to sell out in the weeks before the festival.
What is the difference between Mid-Autumn Festival and Chuseok?
Both holidays fall around the same time and share themes of harvest, family reunion, and gratitude. Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhōngqiū Jié) is primarily celebrated in Chinese and Vietnamese communities. Chuseok is the Korean harvest holiday and typically spans three days, including ancestral memorial rites (charye) and the preparation of songpyeon. In 2026, Chuseok falls on October 2–4, while Mid-Autumn Festival is September 25.
