SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
September 2023
Mid-Autumn Festival 2023: Lights, Legends, and Family Fun galore!
Mid-Autumn 2023 falls on 29 September, just slightly over two weeks away. Coming on the 15th day of the eighth Lunar month, the Mid-autumn is a significant day in the Chinese calendar. Traditionally, “Zhong Qiu Jie” (as it is called in Mandarin) was celebrated as a harvest festival to thank the gods, or worship the moon. Legends associated with it include the tale of Chang’e, and that of the moon rabbit. These days, we celebrate by enjoying mooncakes with family and friends, playing with lanterns and sparklers, and enjoying light-ups and festivities islandwide. If you’re wondering where to go with the fam to enjoy Mid-Autumn 2023 celebrations in Singapore, read on!
(See also: SEPTEMBER 2023: EAT, PLAY, SHOP & MORE FOR FAMILIES IN SINGAPORE THIS MONTH)
Mid-Autumn Season at Resorts World Sentosa
Bounce into the Mid-Autumn season at Resorts World Sentosa, where a slew of exciting happenings await all visitors. There’s a concert by Taiwanese popstar Sam Lee, Mandopop performances by local and regional bands, buskers and DJs, and lion dance performances by world champions. Feeling hungry? Get baked and snow skin mooncakes in delectable flavours from Feng Shui Inn. Order online or in-person at Hotel Michael Lobby.
- Sam Lee 17 Sept, 2.30pm and 8.30pm, Resorts World Ballroom on. Tickets from SISTIC.
- Mandopop from DJs, buskers, and bands: 15 to 17 Sept, 5pm – 9.pm, at Gourmet Park.
- Lion dance performances by world champions, The Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association: 15 to 17 Sept, 6pm, in front of the Lake of Dreams.
15 to 17 Sept, various timings and locations, at Resorts World Sentosa. Get more details here.
Mid-Autumn Marvels at Woodleigh Mall
There’s lots for the family at Woodleigh Mall this Mid-Autumn! Spot the colourful installation of lighted rabbits, walk through an Insta-worthy rainbow lantern tunnel centrepiece, enjoy Mid-Autumn themed storytelling, and attend Chinese calligraphy workshops and robotics workshops. There’s also a lantern walk for charity on 23 Sept at 7pm ($10 registration; sign up at the Information Counter on L2) with Mid-Autumn themed trivia games and lantern riddles. The Woodleigh Mall will each dollar with every ticket sold, and all proceeds will be used to purchase essential items for families that require social assistance in collaboration with Viriya Community Services.
15 to 24 Sept, The Woodleigh Mall. Follow @thewoodleighmall for more information
Garden of Lights with Sanrio Characters
Get a picture-perfect Mid-Autumn with iconic Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody, Badtz-Maru and more. Admission is complimentary, but do expect queues during peak periods. In addition there are activities to take part in, such as a Snap, Share, Win Instagram giveaway contest, a Sanrio retail zone to shop exclusive Sanrio merch, and the Tangs Mid-Autumn Fair which has 45 local and international vendors with traditional and modern mooncakes, as well as other MId-Autumn snacks.
31 Aug to 1 Oct, 10am – 10pm (lights up at 6.30pm), Sky Park, Level 3, VivoCity, Level 1 East Court (pop-up retail zone). More details here.
A Garden of Blooms
See the lush expanse of the Gardens illuminated with colourful lanterns inspired by the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology, legends and cultures this Mid-autumn. Within the Garden of Blooms, experience a myriad of cultural performances and activities, and bond with loved ones over fun-filled carnival games and a diverse array of delectable street food.
15 Sept to 1 Oct 2023, 6 – 10pm, Gardens by the Bay. Visit here for more details.
Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2023
From the official light-up on 15 September, it’s four straight weeks of Mid-Autumn fun and festivities at Chinatown. Get the cameras ready to capture the street light-up, hop into the hustle and bustle of the food and festive fairs, and catch stage performances too.
15 Sept to 14 Oct, various timings and locations around Chinatown. Get more details of activities here.
The Race Around The Moon
Having spent years on the moon as friends, Chang’e, Jade Rabbit, and Wu Gang now engage in a race against each other to earn the prize of returning to Earth. As their strengths and weaknesses are exposed, they learn how each is unique, and how losing is not always a bad thing. Written and produced by playwright Teo Pei Si, this show is best for young ones aged five to 10 years old
23 Sept, 2pm & 5pm, Sky Garden, Gateway Theatre, 3615 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 159461. Tickets from $32 are available here.
“Panda-stic” Festivities of Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023
You can’t miss the adorable outdoor lantern installation at SYSNMH’s lawn! Titled A Mid-Autumn Paw-trait, it features two adorable giant panda lanterns in typical giant panda fashion – one sitting in a relaxed position, and the other in a stretch. They’ll be there till 1 October, so do pop by to say “hello” and strike a pose with them.
A good time to do so is during SYSNMH’s open house on 23 and 24 September. Over the weekend, you’ll get to celebrate Chinese arts, culture, and heritage with performances, cultural workshops, heritage walking tours, storytelling sessions, and more. Highlights include a Teochew Cultural Trail by the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan, a Hokkien Song & Rhymes Workshop by Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, and a Parent-Child Hakka Abacus Seeds Making Workshop by Nanyang Hakka Federation.
23 & 24 Sept, 10am – 6.30pm, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Free admission with ticketed activities. Sign up here. Get more details here.
Moon-themed Tales
This September, in commemoration of the Mid-Autumn season, Gateway Kids Club will also feature Moon-themed tales during its storytelling sessions. From 2 September, families can look forward to animated stories such as The King Who Banned The Dark and The Brave Girl and the Fireflies.
- English storytelling sessions: Every Saturday at 10am |
- Chinese Storytelling sessions: First Saturday of every month at 11am
Free entry with registration at SISTIC. Seats are non-assigned and limited.
Moon Rabbits 月兔
There’s a rabbit on the moon; did you know? Let it take you on a magical encounter with music and dance this Mid-Autumn Festival! Inspired by moon rabbit stories in Chinese, Indian, Thai, Korean, and Japanese mythology, and even the ancient Aztec culture of Mexico, this live show will thrill and entertain all ages, and all who love bunnies!
29 & 30 Sept, 7 – 7.30pm | 8.15 – 8.45pm, Yishun Pond Park Promenade at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Promenade. Admission is free.
Mid-Autumn Family FUN
Bring the whole family for inter-generational activities, workshops and programmes suitable for all ages. Highlights include crosstalk (“xiangsheng”) performances, an Autumn Fair with more than 50 local and overseas makers, performances by local and overseas artistes, food trucks, guided lantern walks, stargazing, and concerts by SCO and the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra. Purchase four tickets and redeem a limited edition tote bag while stocks last. There are giveaways on each day too!
29 Sept to 1 Oct, various timings, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and Singapore Conference Hall. Admission is free! Get more details here.
Chrysanthemum Charm
Over at the Flower Dome, the Chrysanthemum Charm floral display brings to mind open grasslands of Mongolia. It features 80 varieties of diverse chrysanthemums – including more than 10 new varieties that are making their debut in Southeast Asia. There’s also a life-sized, specially-crafted Mongolian yurt with interiors recreated to showcase the traditional nomadic lifestyle that is practised by Mongolians, even today!
29 Sept to 13 Nov, 9am – 9pm, Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay. Admission charge to Flower Dome applies. Visit here for more details.
Mid-Autumn Moonlight Magic
Ring in Mid-Autumn 2023 with family-friendly activities at City Square Mall, from art workshops to lantern displays and performances. There are Carousel Lantern-Making Workshops (22 Sept, 5pm & 6pm), as well as Moon Terrarium Workshops (23 Sept, 1pm, 3pm & 5pm). Don’t miss the Bridge of Mid-Autumn Bliss (15 to 29 Sept, level 4 linkbridge) by students of Tree Art. Adorned with positive messages by Silver Ribbon Singapore (SRS), they are a feast not just for the eyes, but also the soul. Solve one of the riddles and stand a chance to walk away with $10 Grab vouchers!
Workshops are redeemable with minimum $50 spend at L2 Customer Service Counter with same-day receipt(s). Limited to 20 slots per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Terms and conditions apply. More details here.
Featured image: Courtesy of Gateway Kids Club
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