The following is an incomplete list of festivals in Asia, with links to separate lists by country and region where applicable.This list includes festivals of diverse types, including regional festivals, commerce festivals, film festivals, folk festivals, carnivals, recurring festivals on holidays, and music festivals. This will be a rare chance for guests to go inside the tea house, which is usually closed to the public. When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8-9. Where: Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix This holiday is celebrated throughout July and August all across Japan. Different regions celebrate at different times, however, some of the biggest celebrations take place in early August. Where to celebrate. The best places to go in Nagasaki during the festival include the Shinchi Chinatown, Hama-ichi, and Kankodori. 12. Chichibu Yomatsuri Vogue is an American monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine that covers many topics, including haute couture fashion, beauty, culture, living, and runway.Based at One World Trade Center in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, In 1892, Vogue began as a weekly newspaper before becoming a monthly magazine years later. Loi Krathong and Yi Peng, both usually celebrated together, are quite possibly some of the most visually stunning festivals in all of Asia. Thousands of candle-fired lanterns fill the sky while candlelit boats float on the river beneath. The lanterns fly so high they appear to become new stars. Fireworks often add to the visual. The nine-day festival is one of the biggest Hindu celebrations that people are eagerly waiting to rejoice across India. During this period, devotees throng temples and some also observe a fast to pay respects to Goddess Durga. The Delhi CM was accompanied by security officials and senior party leaders as he walked through the crowd of revellers. 5lPq. The most popular festivals in Southeast Asia originate from a wide variety of religious and cultural traditions. The Buddhist worldview inspires Songkran and Vesak. The Taoist tradition celebrates Chinese New Year and the Hungry Ghost Festival. The Muslims celebrate the month-long Ramadan fasting season and Eid al-Fitr at its end. As most of these traditions follow different calendars, the dates vary relative to the Gregorian calendar; we've included their dates through 2023. 01 of 09 Chinese New Year Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board / Goh Koon Peng The significant ethnic Chinese presence in Southeast Asia celebrates its biggest festival during the Chinese New Year. All across the region—but most especially in Penang, Singapore,​ and Vietnam—street bazaars, fireworks, and family reunions mark the changing of calendars. Penang, in particular, specializes in Chinese New Year foods that are rarely served at any other time of the year; in Singapore, families celebrate by preparing and eating the tossed raw-fish salad known as yu sheng. Dates Moveable feast, following the Chinese lunar calendar—January 25 2020, Friday, February 12 2021, February 1 2022, and January 22 2023Celebrated in Penang, Singapore, Vietnam, and in cities with significant ethnic Chinese communities 02 of 09 Thaipusam Chris McGrath / Staff / Getty Images The Tamil Indian community in Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Thaipusam to honor the Hindu god Subramaniam Lord Murugan; thousands of devotees carry painful-looking offerings called kavadi, attached to each devotee's skin with 108 metal skewers each. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thaipusam festivities take place at the Batu Caves, where the procession ascends 272 steps up to a cave chamber marked with a massive statue of Lord Murugan. A smaller procession takes place in nearby Penang, where the procession moves from the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple. Dates Moveable feast, following the Tamil calendar—February 8 2020, January 28 2021, January 18 2022, and February 5 2023Celebrated in Malaysia and Singapore 03 of 09 Songkran Kampee Patisena / Getty Images This traditional Buddhist new year celebration occurs around the end of the planting season, now codified to occur between April 13 to 15 every year. Historically, the region's farmers had a rare break in their busy planting schedules at this time of year and could take time to celebrate with their communities. The celebrations are marked with the act of throwing water on passersby, whether in Thailand's Songkran, Cambodia's Chol Chnam Thmey, Laos' Bun Pi Mai, or Myanmar's Thingyan. Devotees in each country believe that water washes away bad luck; thus anybody, on the streets is fair game to be drenched with water pistols or smeared in wet talcum powder. Dates April 13 to 15 annually Gregorian calendarCelebrated in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand 04 of 09 Vesak Jung-Pang Wu / Getty Images Buddhists in Southeast Asia celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha on Vesak. It's believed that good deeds done on this day will return more merit than any other time of the year. Buddhist communities redouble their efforts to do deeds of generosity on this day. The most scenic Vesak celebrations take place near Yogyakarta in Indonesia. Thousands of Buddhists from all over the world gather at Borobudur in a procession bearing sacred objects like holy relics, volumes of holy books, and offerings; after ascending to the pinnacle, monks release sky lanterns into the air to commemorate Buddha’s bringing enlightenment to the world. Dates Moveable feast, following the Buddhist calendar—May 6 2020, May 26 2021, May 16 2022, and May 6 2023Celebrated in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Continue to 5 of 9 below. 05 of 09 Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr vm2002 / Getty Images Throughout the fasting month of Ramadan, the Muslim communities in Southeast Asia come together to feast after dark. Tourists can chow on Ramadan food at the pasar malam or night markets that populate the streets—take your pick from curries, rice cakes, and other Malaysian street foods; or browse through clothes, souvenirs, and CDs on display. The end of Ramadan—Eid al-Fitri, or Hari Raya Puasa in Malaysia—is met with joy, as families stage get-togethers and congregate at the mosques for Thanksgiving. Places like Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia come alive with exultant devotees join them if you like, just observe proper mosque etiquette. Singapore's significant Malay Muslim population can be found partying mainly in Kampong Glam, Singapore. Dates Moveable feast, following the first sighting of the crescent moon—Eid al-Fitri falls on May 24 2020, May 12 2021, May 2 2022, and April 21 2023Celebrated in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore 06 of 09 Galungan Sheldon Levis / Getty Images The Balinese celebrate the victory of good Dharma over evil Adharma during the festival season known as Galungan. Following the 210-day Balinese Pawukon Calendar, Galungan takes a full 10 days to celebrate, within which the spirits of the ancestors are believed to be visiting, thus encouraging the Balinese to show their gratitude to the divines in different ways. Families offer bountiful sacrifices of food and flowers in their family altars and at local temples. The sides of houses sprout tall bamboo poles called "penjor," and villagers welcome the mythical beast known as the "barong" into their homes, in an exorcism ceremony known as Ngelawang. Dates Moveable feast, following the Balinese pawukon calendar—February 19 to 29 and September 16 to 26 2020, April 14 to 24 and November 10 to 20 2021, June 8 to 18 2022, and January 4 to 14 2023Celebrated in Bali, Indonesia 07 of 09 Hungry Ghost Festival NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images Following the Taoist belief in the afterlife, the Hungry Ghost Festival marks the seventh lunar month, when the afterlife momentarily allows the spirits of the dead to roam in the world of the living. For Chinese communities in Malaysia particularly Chinatown and Singapore particularly Penang and Melaka, the Hungry Ghost month is a time to make offerings of food and burnt prayer money to the deceased to appease them. Stages are set up to entertain the ghosts and the living as well with music and theatrical performances. Dates Moveable feast, following the Chinese lunar calendar—September 2 2020, August 22 2021, August 12 2022, and August 30 2023Celebrated in Singapore, Malaysia, and in cities with significant ethnic Chinese communities 08 of 09 Deepavali Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board Known elsewhere as Diwali, the Tamil Indian community in Singapore and Malaysia celebrates Deepavali to commemorate Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura, cementing the victory of good over evil. Deepavali is also the Hindu equivalent of the new year; Indian families take time to hold reunions through the season. In the Singapore ethnic enclave of Little India, street markets flourish outdoors, dispensing spices, flowers, fine clothing, and traditional dishes to locals and tourists alike. Dates Moveable feast, following the Tamil calendar—November 14 2020, November 4 2021, October 24 2022, and November 9 2023Celebrated in Malaysia and Singapore Continue to 9 of 9 below. 09 of 09 Christmas Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board The Christian population in Singapore and the largely Catholic Philippines throw the biggest Christmas celebrations in the region. Singapore's Christmas in the Tropics coincides with massive street light-ups, shopping specials read about shopping in Singapore and parties ramping up to the New Year festivities in Sentosa and Marina Bay. In the Philippines, the capital Manila experiences massive gridlock leading up to Christmas—families hold reunions during the Yuletide season and hang up lanterns called parol outside their houses. The Giant Lantern Festival shows off the biggest and brightest of these parol. Dates December 25 annually Gregorian calendarCelebrated in Philippines and Singapore Asia’s frantic patchwork of cultures can be seen in the holidays it celebrates throughout the winter months, in December, January, and February. These include some of the biggest biggest events of the year the Lunar New Year celebration takes place throughout East and Southeast Asia; and even western holidays like Christmas and New Year's Eve have been co-opted by local communities! Use this list of winter festivals to plan your trip – or plan around them, as the case may be, as many of these festivals will tie up transport and accommodations and drive up prices. It’s all up to you either plan your travel dates around them, or arrive early enough to jump into the fray! 01 of 10 December Christmas Pascal Deloche / Getty Images In Asia, Christmas isn’t just for Christians—many people of all religions observe the Yuletide season on December 25. Christmas trees and decorations pop up weeks prior to December 25 in metropolitan shopping malls and even in some public squares. Major metropolises like Singapore, Bangkok in Thailand, and Tokyo in Japan pull out all the stops, decorating with candy, snowflakes and Christmas trees. Japan, for example, celebrates Christmas as a second Valentine’s Day—more a romantic holiday than a religious one, with gifts traded between sweethearts. The biggest predominantly Christian country in Asia—the Philippines—celebrates Christmas with a Latin flair thanks to their having been colonized by Spain for 300 years; churches all around the country are filled with devotees celebrating Mass before going home to their extended families to celebrate the midnight feast known as the Noche Buena. Where Throughout AsiaWhen December 25 02 of 10 December to March Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm Jong-Won Heo/Getty Images The Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong County is a day-trip away from South Korea’s capital Seoul—it’s already worth the trip on any given day, but it becomes a must-see during the Lighting Festival in winter. The lights of the Garden of Morning Calm spans some 330,000 square meters, using 30,000 colorful LED lights hanging from the trees and other foliage around the area. Wander around the fairy-like wonderland created by the colorful lights—through such evocatively named fields like Hakyung Garden, Bonsai Garden, Moonlight Garden, and the Garden of Eden. Where Gapyeong County, South KoreaWhen December to Mid-March 03 of 10 January Shogatsu New Year Karin Slade / Getty Images The Japanese New Year festival December 31 to January 2, known as Shogatsu, is one of the biggest events in Japan. This celebration has practically superseded the Chinese-style Lunar New Year celebration as Japan’s “official” New Year celebration. Many establishments close for the holidays something tourists should note; people gather with family and friends to celebrate, and give children money packets called otoshidama. The temples see a surge of visitors during the New Year, as Japanese follow a local traditiona called hatsumoude, or making a New Year visit to a temple to pray for safety, good fortune, and good health. The Shogatsu festival concludes with a speech by the Emperor of Japan on January 2. The day is one of two days a year the general public is allowed inside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo the other is the Emperor’s birthday, which now takes place on February 23. Where Throughout JapanWhen December 31 to January 2 04 of 10 January 26 India Republic Day Dinodia Photo / Getty Images Republic Day is one of India’s few secular national holidays. Not to be confused with Independence Day on August 15, Republic Day celebrates the adoption of India’s constitution. Many businesses close to observe the patriotic holiday, alcohol sales stop, and colorful parades fill the streets. The Republic Day Parade in the Indian capital Delhi is a huge event, featuring marching contingents from the Indian Armed Forces and floats representing each of India’s states. Celebrations ensue in the rest of India in much the same vein Kolkata, West Bengal holds a military parade down Red Road in front of Fort William in Kolkata's Maidan; Chennai, Tamil Nadu draws in parade participants from the armed forces, school marching bands and state police; and similar parades also take place in Bangalore, Karnataka and Mumbai, in Maharashtra. Where All throughout IndiaWhen January 26 Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 January/February Harbin Ice Festival LeonU/Getty Images Millions of tourists visit this icy festival in northern China every year, drawn by the massive ice sculptures that adorn the fairgrounds next to Harbin’s Songhua River. The sculptures, ice palaces, mazes and slides of the Harbin Ice Festival are simply massive in scale, constructed from some 260,000 cubic yards of ice blocks harvested from the river. They range in size from life-scale carvings of animals and fantastic creatures, to massive 250-foot structures that tower over the crowds. There’s more to do than just gawp at the ice formations, though you can join the fairs, ride the ice slides, or watch odd competitions like the winter swimmers who brave the subzero cold and swim in the Songhua River in their skivvies. Where Harbin, ChinaWhen January 5-February 5 06 of 10 January/February Lunar New Year Kevin Frayer / Stringer / Getty Images The Lunar New Year most commonly known as Chinese New Year is by no means just a Chinese celebration; it is observed around Asia with much preparation and excitement. Locals feast with family and friends, observing old traditions to bring good fortune and prosperity in the year to come. The full Lunar New Year celebration lasts around 15 days, from the initial salvos of New Year’s Eve to Chap Goh Mei at the very end. Tourists may want to steer clear of travel at this time, as millions of people travel home to be with family or head out to top destinations in Asia for the holiday. Where In Asia, localized festivals include the Tet celebration in Vietnam, and the Seollal celebration in South Korea. Ethnic Chinese communities hold Chinese New Year festivities throughout Southeast Asia most specially in Singapore and in Penang, Malaysia, mirroring similar celebrations on mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. When First to the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar starts on January 25 2020; February 12 2021; February 1 2022; and January 22 2023. 07 of 10 January/February Thaipusam Anders Blomqvist / Getty Images The Hindu festival of Thaipusam in January or February celebrates Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war. Some devotees pierce their bodies with swords, skewers, and hooks while carrying heavy shrines kavadis on their bodies through long processions. Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindu Tamil communities from Southeast Asia to California. Malaysia and Singapore are home to some of the largest celebrations. At the Batu Caves just on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, millions of spectators gather for a day-long celebration that sees dozens of skewered devotees stagger up the cave’s 272 steps to show their devotion to their Lord. Where Throughout India and anywhere there is a large Tamil full moon of the 10th month of the Hindu Calendar February 8 2020; January 28 2021; January 18 2022; and February 5 2023 08 of 10 February Sapporo Snow Festival Glowimages/Getty Images Japan’s biggest winter festival unfolds over at Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, in early February. Since its first iteration in 1950, the Sapporo Snow Festival has expanded in size and scope. The Festival covers two main sites in Sapporo. The centerpiece Odori Park site features some 100 ice sculptures of all sizes, dazzlingly lit up after dark. The Susukino district site features a smaller scale of ice sculptures decorating the city’s red-light district. The sculptures cover animals both real and fantastic, including anime-based creatures like Pokemon. Beyond the frigid statuary, visitors can enjoy snow mazes, street food, musical performances and skating on the ice rink near Odori Park. Where Sapporo, JapanWhen February 4-11, 2020 Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 February Setsubun masahiro Makino / Getty Images One of Japan’s more bizarre festivals, Setsubun is about throwing beans to ward off evil spirits! People gather at temples to pick up roasted soybeans, known in the local language as fuku mame fortune beans. In public places like temples and shrines, people throw the beans for good luck, shouting Oni-wa-soto Out with evil demons! and Fuku-wa-uchi In with good fortune!. The Japanese believe that people can ensure health and happiness if they retrieve and eat fuku mame in a number that matches their age. At public celebrations, gifts and candy are thrown to frenzied crowds from stages. Celebrities, sumo wrestlers, and other figures take the stage to throw items to the crowd in televised events. In private homes, the head of the household wears a demon mask as family members throw beans and peanuts at him until he is driven away! Where Throughout JapanWhen February 2 or 3 10 of 10 February/March Taiwan’s Sky Lantern Festivals kecl/Getty Images Lantern festivals are a major part of the Chinese New Year calendar, and Taiwan throws some of the most scenic. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is Taiwan’s most visited lantern festival, lighting the skies over its small namesake village with floating lanterns bearing messages for the gods. Its counterpart in the Yangshui District favors a noisier kind of illumination—the Tainan Yanshui Fireworks Display meaning beehive of fireworks takes place at Tainan’s Wumiao Temple, where locals dare to be hit by small fireworks as a test of their strength and to ward off evil. The two celebrations take place simultaneously, and are associated in Taiwanese minds—they refer to the twin festivals as “fireworks in the south, sky lanterns in the north”. Where Pingxi and Yangshui, TaiwanWhen First full moon of the Lunar New Year—2020 February 9; 2021 February 27; 2022 February 16; 2023 February 6 Luyện tập tổng hợp lý thuyết trắc nghiệm hỏi đáp bài tập sgk Câu hỏi E1 among the festivals celebrated by some of Asian people is the Moon Cake Festival, also known as the Mid August Festival. Large numbers of small round moon cake are eaten on this day, and children enjoy carrying colorful paper lanterns come in all shapes; the most popular ones are shaped like fish, rabbits and butterflies. According to them, the moon shines the brightest on the night of the Moon Cake Festival. As the moon rises, tables are placed outside the house and women make offerings of fruit and moon cakes to the Moon Goddess. Questions the Moon Cake Festival also called Mid August Festival ? do people often eat on that day ? do chidren enjoy doing? is the moon on the night of the Moon Cake festival ? the Moon Cake Festival only clebrated in Viet Nam ? are offered to the Moon Goddess ? according are numbers as enjoy by ones rises Among the festival calebrated 1_______ some of Asian people is the Moon Cake Festival, also known 2______ the Mid-August Festival. Large 3_______ of small round moon cakes 4________ eaten on this day, and children 5________ carrying colourful paper lanterns come in all shapes; the more popular 6_________ are shaped like fish, rabbits, and butterflies. 7_______ to them the moon shines brightest on the night of the Mo...Đọc tiếp Xem chi tiết Fill in each black in the following passage with ONE suitable word from the box according are numbers as enjoy by ones rises Among the festivals celebrated 1............... some of Asian people is the Moon Cake Festival, also know 2............ the Mid-August Festival Large 3..................... of small round moon cakes 4 ............... eaten on this day, and children 5............. carrying colourful paper lanterns come in all shapes...Đọc tiếp Xem chi tiết Điền từ thích hợp Plot, cakes, fifteenth, who, around, tells, celebrate, shapes, to, carrying. Among the festivals celebrated by the Chinese is the Moon Cake Festival, also known as the Mid - Autumn Festival. Large numbers of small round moon 1 _______ are eaten on this day, and the children enjoy 2 _______ colourful paper lanterns. These paper lanterns come in all 3 _______ like fish, rabbits and butterflies. There are many stories as to the origin of this festival. One popular tale ...Đọc tiếp Xem chi tiết Mid-Autumn is the day when the moon is at itsbrightest in a year. In that spirit, 1..................,people in Viet Nam as well as many Asian countries celebrate the Mid-Autumn s Festival.2.....................to legends,this holiday is orginated 3...................in which an Emperor of Duong Dynasty, Duong Minh Hoang,was taken to the moon by a wizard named La Cong Vien. 4............of his trip to the Duong Minh Hoang was back to earth, he taught his 5.................abo...Đọc tiếpMid-Autumn is the day when the moon is at itsbrightest in a year. In that spirit, 1..................,people in Viet Nam as well as many Asian countries celebrate the Mid-Autumn 's Festival.2.....................to legends,this holiday is orginated 3...................in which an Emperor of Duong Dynasty, Duong Minh Hoang,was taken to the moon by a wizard named La Cong Vien. 4............of his trip to the Duong Minh Hoang was back to earth, he taught his 5.................about the celebration and it became a custom lasting 6....................Through times and times,Mid-Autumn's Festival 70......................becomes . Xem chi tiết Write full sentences to make a letter, using the suggested words and phrases given Dear Lucy, How are you ? 1. In / your / email / you / said / that / you / wanted / know / about / popular / festival / in / Viet Nam / . 2. There / a lot of / festivals / my / country / such as / boat racing / buffalo - fighting / folk song / singing / etc / but / I / going / tell / you / about / the Mid - Autumn Festival / . 3. The Mid - Autumn Festival / like / your / Thanksgiving / . / Families / get /...Đọc tiếp Xem chi tiết II. Read the text carefully, then do the tasks. Holi, known as the festival of colours, is the Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus all over Asia and also by the people from some parts of Europe and North America. It is mainly observed in India and Nepal. Holi commemorates the victory of good over evil, marks the arrival of Spring, and a time to give thanks for the good harvest. The dates change each year according to the full moon, but it is normally in March and sometimes in late February and...Đọc tiếp Xem chi tiết II. Read the text carefully, then do the tasks. Holi, known as the festival of colours, is the Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus all over Asia and also by the people from some parts of Europe and North America. It is mainly observed in India and Nepal. Holi commemorates the victory of good over evil, marks the arrival of Spring, and a time to give thanks for the good harvest. The dates change each year according to the full moon, but it is normally in March and sometimes in late February and...Đọc tiếp Xem chi tiết answer the questions to children , mid -autumn festival is the most joyful celebration. it is held in vietnam on the 15th day of the 8th lunar this day, children usually receive many gifts or banh trung thua special kind of cakesfrom their parents,their relatives and even from some certain organnizations for their good study night, they often parade on the streets while singing and carrying colorful star lanters . 1. when is mid-autumn festival held in vietnam? do...Đọc tiếp Xem chi tiết The students are study at the school library at the moment ABCD Do you eat moon cakes at the festival last year? ABCD The best part of the Mid_ autumn festival is the perform of luôn dances ABCD He got up hệ went to work late ABCD Xem chi tiết The Mid-Autumn Festival is observed by millions of people across East Asia on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This means the festival date changes every year in the Gregorian calendar, but it is always around the time of the harvest moon. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Sept. 10. Certain activities, like moon gazing and displaying lanterns, are popular across several Asian countries—as is the symbol of a rabbit on the moon. But there are plenty of local traditions too Here’s a look at how the festival is celebrated Illuminated lanterns are seen at Lee Tung Street ahead of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival on September 6, 2022 in Hong Kong, China. Li Zhihua/China News Service via Getty Images China The legend of Chang’e and her ascent to the moon has long been associated with the Mid-Autumn festivities in China. The mythology says that in ancient times the Earth had 10 suns, which scorched the world. A celebrated archer named Hou Yi drew his bow and shot nine of the suns down, saving humanity. For his heroic act, the gods gave him the pill of immortality, which he handed to his wife Chang’e for safekeeping. However, one of his followers, Peng Meng, tried to steal the pill while Hou Yi was out hunting—so Chang’e swallowed it to prevent it from falling into Peng Meng’s hands. She became immortal and floated up to the moon, where she has lived since. Apart from Chang’e, the moon also has another resident the Jade Rabbit. In Chinese tradition, the full moon symbolizes family reunion, thus Mid-Autumn is a festival to be celebrated at home. People admire the moon and eat moon cakes, which come stuffed with a variety of fillings, from the traditional salted egg yolk and lotus paste to contemporary versions with ice-cream, fruit, and custard fillings. A staff member arranges moon cakes at a supermarket as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Sept. 5, 2022, Handan, Hebei province, China. VCG/VCG via Getty Images Other foods eaten during the festival include taro because its name in many Chinese dialects is a homonym for “good fortune comes” and hairy crab, a seasonal delicacy. Lanterns play an important role in the festivities. These days, the candle-lit paper lanterns of yore are rarely seen. Most children carry around the battery-powered variety. Single-use glow sticks are also common—leading to appeals from environmentalists for curbs on their use. Some regions have specific Moon Festival customs. In eastern China’s Zhejiang province, the Qiantang River’s tidal bore attracts many visitors. In Hunan province, women from the Dong ethnic group customarily steal vegetables—because according to legend the moon goddess will shower “sweet dew” on them and whoever consumes them will be healthy and happy. South Korea South Koreans celebrate Chuseok, also known as hangawi, at this time. It’s one of the country’s biggest and most important holidays, alongside Seollal, or lunar new year. Many go back to their hometowns to celebrate with big family reunions and hold memorial services, called charye, for their ancestors. The day before and after are also public holidays in South Korea, which allows people time to travel home. This year, Chuseok is being observed from Sept. 9 to 12. South Koreans traveling for the Chuseok holiday are seen at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, on Sept. 8, 2022. SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images At festive gatherings, Koreans eat songpyeon, a half-moon-shaped rice cake filled with a semi-sweet stuffing, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables such as persimmons and chestnuts. They also enjoy a host of entertainment, including the ganggangsullae, a traditional circle dance. And of course, come nighttime, people head out to admire the full moon where they look out for the moon rabbit, or daltokki. The creature is said to be visible on the lunar surface, busy making rice cakes. Japan The Japanese celebrate Tsukimi, which translates to “looking at the moon.” Like the Koreans, they try to spot the moon rabbit, called tsuki no usagi in Japanese, as the animal goes about its festive task of making the rice cakes known as mochi. The festivities are said to date back to Japan’s Nara period 710-794. In the following Heian era 794-1185, Tsukimi was popular among aristocrats. Moon viewing parties, frequently held on boats, included drinking, listening to music and composing poetry. By the Edo period 1603-1868 the tradition was being widely enjoyed by the public. In this Sept. 19, 2013 file photo, a dancer in Osaka, Japan, performs as part of the moon ritual of Sumiyoshi, held every Mid-Autumn Festival Zhang Peng/LightRocket via Getty Images Traditionally, tsukimi is marked by adorning the home with pampas grass, to represent a bountiful harvest. Festive snacks include tsukimi-dango, a round rice dumpling symbolizing health and happiness, and seasonal produce like chestnuts and pumpkin. Eggs are also consumed, as their oval whiteness is felt to be suggestive of the full moon. Even fast food brands get in on the act, adding eggs to burgers. Vietnam The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is called Tet Trung Thu and is also known as Tet Thieu Nhi, or Children’s Festival. One popular tale linked to the festival is that of a woodsman named Chu Cuoi, who floated away with a magical banyan tree to the moon. It is said one can see Cuoi under the tree on the face of the full moon. During the festival, children holding lanterns—said to help guide Cuoi on his return to earth—spill into the streets and watch lion dances. Visitors pose for photos with the costumed Monkey King from Chinese mythology on Sept. 26, 2020 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Mid-Autumn Festival is an occasion for a children's night out and family gathering Linh Pham/Getty Images Families mark Tet Trung Thu by placing cakes and fruit trays, symbolizing filial piety, before ancestral altars in their homes. Moon cakes are also a staple in Vietnam, and come in two types banh nuong oven-baked and banh deo soft-crusted. Singapore Some three-quarters of Singaporeans are of Chinese descent, so many of the Mid-Autumn Festival customs and traditions from China are also observed in Singapore. In the past, celebrations centered on Chinatown, with goldfish- and star-shaped lanterns hanging from shops in Temple Street and Smith Street. Traditional bakeries offered moon cakes. This Sept. 7, 2022 photo shows Mid-Autumn Festival decorations installed at Singapore's Chinatown. Then Chih Wey/Xinhua via Getty Images These days, Singaporeans celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with extravagant lantern displays held across the city-state in venues such as Gardens by the Bay. The Chinatown celebrations are also on a grander scale. The area transforms into a busy bazaar, with pop-up stalls selling decorative ornaments and festive snacks. There are also lantern-painting competitions and live performances. Moon gazing is still a big part of the festival, with the beach being a popular location for the activity. Contact us at letters

among the festivals celebrated by some of asian