Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday
The city of Hong Kong observes the Mid-Autumn Festival every year on the full moon of the 8th month’s 15th day of the Chinese calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in the month of September or October annually. Hong Kong declares the day following this festival as a public holiday. It is a harvest festival and dates back to more than 3,000 years when the Shang Dynasty ruled over the country. It was a time when the people of China showed their gratitude to the moon god in lieu of the harvest. The festival was an occasion of togetherness and people pray to the moon god. It is still an occasion when families in Hong Kong love to spend their time together.
As mentioned earlier, families in the past would come together and offer spherical fruits like pomegranates, grapes, pears, osmanthus-flavoured wine, as well as, mooncakes to the gods in heaven and expressed their joy and gratitude for a rich harvest. They also enjoyed a get-together with their family members, especially those who stayed far away. For many Hong Kongers, it is one of the year’s most prominent festivals.