What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Lots of people light lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival

Lots of people in China are celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The event, which is also known as the Moon or Mooncake Festival, is the second biggest in the country after Lunar New Year.

It falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and takes place on the 17 September this year.

On the night of the festival, people celebrate the full moon and gives thanks for the Autumn harvest.

How did the festival come about?

Worshippers in Hong Kong were snapped carrying a bamboo dragon covered in incense sticks during the Tai Hang fire dragon dance which is part of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations

The Mid-Autumn Festival is believed to have originated more then 2,000 years ago, although there are different stories about how it first began.

It became an official celebration during the Tang dynasty which covered a period from 618 to 907 AD.

Ancient emperors would celebrate the moon and pray to it for a good harvest. It eventually became a popular practice among citizens too.

How do people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival brings lots of people together for the celebrations

The festival is a chance for friends and family to come together.

People watch the full moon with their loved ones and share food.

Mooncakes are a popular snack during the celebrations

One traditional baked item lots of people eat and give to others as gifts are mooncakes. These are round pastries with rich, thick fillings like red bean or lotus seed paste.

Some people also make and light lanterns during the festival which decorate the streets.