2012

My family, especially my children, still enjoys traditional moon cakes, however we are not typically of "the younger generation".  There are now more and more non-traditional treats called mooncakes. General Mills' Haagen-Daz has offered ice cream "moon cakes" in China since 1997. They are at least in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia now. I don't know if they can be found outside of Asia yet.

I was with friends close enough to call family this weekend. Tonight I'm happy drinking tea and looking at the moon.

MId-Autumn 2011

Monday, 9/12 is the day. If you don't have your moon cakes, run to the local Chinese grocery. (Although I heard that at least in LA some Costcos have them!)

MAF in N'ern NJ

There does not seem to be much in the way of public festivities in NJ, although I bet most of the weekend Chinese schools are doing something.

Otherwise, it may be just be on 9/25/2010:

• Newark Museum, ("fun-filled day with dance and music performances, storytelling in the galleries, and hands-on activities—such as lantern making and papercutting—and even lunar explorations with the Museum's Astronomer", and 3 performances. Free with museum admission. Click for directions/parking.)
• down in Marlboro, NJ (click for their pdf)

Ray over at Child Book keeps a national list, but he has nothing for NJ yet.

Have you ordered your moon cakes?

September 12th is right around the corner.

2010 - 11 Festival Dates

Festivals (mostly those celebrated based on the lunar calendar):

June 16, 2010 - Dragon Boat Festival - look for races near you, there are more teams that you might expect!

August 4 - Birthday of Kwan Tai, god of war (lunar 6/24)
August 16, 2010 - "Valentine's Day" - 7/7 lunar "Seven Sisters Festival
August 24th, 2010 - Hungry Ghost Day - 7/15 lunar

Sept. 22, 2010, Sept. 12, 2011 - Mid-Autumn Festival - 8/15 lunar
Sept. 23, 2010, Sept. 13, 2011 - Monkey God Festival - 8/16 lunar
October 4, 2010, Sept. 24, 2011 - Confucius' Birthday (8/27)

October 16, 2010, October 5, 2011 - "Double Nine" Chong Yang (Chung Yeung) Festival - 9/9 lunar
December 21/22, 2010, Dec. 21/22, 2011 - Winter Solstice "Dong Zhi" - 12/1 lunar

And then a new year:
February 3, 2011 - Chinese New Year - lunar 1/1
Feb. 17 - Lantern Festival

Ching Ming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) is always April 5th
Buddha's birthday is May 10, 2011 (lunar 4/8)

June 6, 2011 - Dragon Boat (Tuen Ng) Festival - look for races near you, there are more teams in the USA & around the world that you might expect! (lunar 5/5)

August 6, 2011 - "Valentine's Day" - 7/7 lunar "Seven Sisters Festival
August 14, 2011 - Hungry Ghost Day - 7/15 lunar

Sept. 12, 2011 - Mid-Autumn Festival - 8/15 lunar
Sept. 13, 2011 - Monkey God Festival - 8/16 lunar
Sept. 24, 2011 - Confucius' Birthday (8/27)

October 5, 2011 - "Double Nine" Chong Yang (Chung Yeung) Festival - 9/9 lunar

Dec. 21/22, 2011 - Winter Solstice "Dong Zhi" - 12/1 lunar

2009 Lunar Calendar

Our annual pdf file showing the year's phases of the moon is ready. If you would like a copy, please post a comment with your email, or email me.

I love the look but it really helps show how each month of the Chinese calendar begins with a new moon. If there is a full moon, one knows it is the 15th of the lunar calendar. Children - and adults - always want to look at it when I take it anywhere.

Share ideas about how you use it!

Zhongqiujie 2008

Zhongqiujie yukuai

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival

Today's the day. While there will be cloudy skies for many of the people we know, it looks like everyone is safe after Ike and that is more important.