Mid-Autumn Family Festival!

Glowing lanterns, sweet reunions, and Mid-Autumn magic! Join us for an afternoon of Mid-Autumn tales, drop-in arts & crafts, mooncake making, and more on October 4, 2–5 PM. Check back shortly to see the full schedule of events.

Tickets: $8/person. Free for MyMOCA Family Level Members & kids under 2. Limited free tickets for Culture Pass, Cool Culture, and Culture Connected families, stay tuned for information on their release. RSVP required.

Know Before You Go

Festival capacity is limited, walk-ins will be admitted as capacity allows. Due to the limited capacity of the museum and efforts to adhere to safety guidelines, families may have to wait to enter the museum during peak times.

Family Festivals are bustling events with lots of sights, sounds, and aromas. There is limited stroller parking available, with a staff-operated lift used to reach the restrooms and lower level spaces. We recommend families with sensory concerns join our MOCACREATE drop-in programs.

MOCA’s Family Festival Series is supported with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

Info: During the Mid-Autumn Festival, shadow puppetry is especially popular because the full moon acts as a natural light source for performances. Join artists Spica Wobbe & Margaret Yuen for a captivating story about adventure, courage, and new beginnings. Inspired by the unique experiences of a group of Chinese women from Brooklyn, PROLOGUE, PART II brings their journeys to life through shadow play, object manipulation, and music. The performance runs approximately 22 minutes and concludes with time to explore the set, as well as a Q & A about shadow puppetry and storytelling. *Space is limited.

Info: Sharing mooncakes with friends and family is a beloved Mid-Autumn tradition. Join Linda of Panda Cub Stories as she shows us how to make special snowy skin mooncakes. Discover the ingredients inside mooncakes and the molds used to make them, and then eat a no-bake mooncake that you make yourself! Don’t forget to browse Linda’s many recipe cards, which will be available for purchase, for other familiar favorites! **While supplies last.

Info: Try delectable slices of traditional mooncakes courtesy of Po Wing Hong Food Market and Fay Da Bakery. **While supplies last.

Info: Join author Kimberly Tso and illustrator Louie Chin for a MOCAKIDS Author Meet & Greet featuring Tso's debut picture book, Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken. This instant classic is inspired by Lillie, a real chicken who played tic-tac-toe in the iconic Chinatown Fair arcade. Set in the heart of Chinatown, the vibrant picture book celebrates a beloved neighborhood landmark and the power of one child’s clever thinking. After the reading, kids can compete in a friendly tic-tac-toe competition. The winner will take home a handmade crochet chicken!

Best for children ages 3–8. Older and younger siblings are welcome. Book signing and purchase will follow the reading! Pre-order your copy and receive a bookmark and sticker sheet. Buy a book during the Family Festival and receive a bookmark and special treat from Yaya Tea.

Info: Portraits of the Moon is a contemporary dance piece that celebrates the moon’s rich symbolism in Chinese culture. This excerpt explores the tradition of making mooncakes interpreted through movement! After the performance, join choreographer and performer Jiemin Yang for an interactive dance workshop. No experience necessary, just come ready to move your body and have some fun! *Space is limited.

Info: Did you know that a goddess, rabbit, and woodcutter all live on the moon? Join MOCA Educator Nancy in learning all about enchanting Chang’E and the timeless traditions of the Moon Festival in Chang’e on the Moon, retold by Katrina Moore, illustrated by Cornelia Li, and translated by Jaime Chu.

Info: Join a MOCA educator in following clues high and low to spot twinkling full moons and shimmering stars in the museum exhibits! Practice your archery like Hou Yi to protect the galleries!

Info: Lanterns are lit and carried to celebrate the brightness of the moon during this time of year. Make the night even brighter by making and embellishing your very own Jade-Rabbit inspired lantern!

Info: Ever wonder how mooncakes get their fancy designs? Find out, then test your favorites using real mooncake molds and play dough!

Info: Design your own mooncake box to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival! Use paper folding techniques, festive patterns, and more to make and decorate a custom box that’s perfect for housing your make-believe playdough mooncake.

Info: Prepare your own version of the magical elixir that lifted Chang’E from Earth to the moon! Using a little bit of science and a little bit of shimmer, create a potion that’s sure to stir up some Mid-Autumn magic.

Info: Have you watched the full moon (赏月) on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival? If so, you might have seen the outline of the mythical Jade Rabbit, also known as yù tù 玉兔! Create your own jumping Jade Rabbit that’s sure to delight using cups, a rubber band, and a bit of creativity.

Info: The full harvest moon symbolizes family reunion and coming together. Gather around the blanket for a make-believe harvest moon picnic! Learn about the foods that families share as they gaze at the moon and give thanks for the year’s harvest.

Info: Soak up the limelight (or moonlight!) at our Mid-Autumn photo corner. Strike a pose with moon Goddess Chang’E, skilled archer Hou Yi, 玉兔 Yùtù the Jade Rabbit, and special moon themed props. Don’t forget to fold a star with a secret wish for Chang E’ to grant.

Info: Bo Bing: Roll the dice and celebrate the moon! During the Mid-Autumn Festival in southern China, families and friends gather to play bo bing — a lively dice game that’s all about luck, laughter, and togetherness. Take turns rolling the dice to win special prizes. Bunny Hop: Hop your way through a Mid-Autumn picnic filled with all your favorite festival treats— mooncakes, pomelo, lotus root, and so many more. Each hop brings you closer to a joyful celebration under the full moon!

Host or Publisher Museum of Chinese in America