Celebrate the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival at Moon Festivals throughout Orange County. Local celebrations include lanterns, mooncakes, traditional music and dance, cultural performances, children’s activities and community gatherings in Irvine, Santa Ana, Westminster, Newport Beach and other Orange County cities.
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a traditional celebration with deep cultural roots across East and Southeast Asia, including Chinese and Vietnamese communities. In 2026, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday, September 25, although Orange County celebrations take place on several dates throughout September.
Traditionally, Mid-Autumn festivals are celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is considered at or near its fullest and brightest. 2026 event dates listed below are confirmed where provided; events marked TBA have not yet announced 2026 details.
2026 Orange County Mid-Autumn & Moon Festivals
Cultural Heritage Festival
Mile Square Regional Park | Freedom Hall Lawn
16801 Euclid Street Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Enter Mile Square Regional Park off of Edinger or Ward
Dates: 2026 TBA
Times: 2026 TBA
The Cultural Heritage Festival succeeded the former OC Moon Festival at the Freedom Hall Lawn at Mile Square Regional Park. Previous festivals have featured food and drinks, historical exhibits, rides and games, live entertainment, performances and children’s activities. 2026 event details are TBA.
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival/Hội Chợ Xóm Làng
Hope Community Services, Santa Ana
2026 TBA
Previous Hope Community Services celebrations have featured Vietnamese culture, food, games and performances. The 2026 event date has not yet been announced.
Moon Lantern Festival
Asian Garden Mall
2026 TBA
Previous Moon Lantern Festival celebrations at Asian Garden Mall have included live entertainment, games and food. 2026 event, admission and parking details are TBA.
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Bowers Museum, Santa Ana
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Enjoy traditional music, dance, free face painting, art projects, and moon cake samples for the entire family.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Orange County Great Park Irvine
Friday, September 25, 2026
Explore unique cultural displays and discover valuable resources provided by local community organizations. This family-friendly festival will feature educational displays, live entertainment, crafts, specialty food trucks, artistic demonstrations, and more.
Happy Moon Festival
Mathis Home | 13300 Jamboree Road, Irvine
September 25, 2026 | 3PM – 7PM
A Mid-Autumn Festival with arts and crafts, interactive cultural experiences, tea and mooncake tasting, live performances, games and more!
Senior Center Moon Festival
Westminster Senior Center
Monday, September 21, 2026
Embrace the rich cultural heritage of the Moon Festival with a memorable celebration.
Westminster Moon Lantern Festival at the Fall Festival
Westminster Civic Center | 8200 Westminster Blvd., Westminster
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 5PM – 9PM
The new Moon Lantern Festival is part of the four-day Westminster Fall Festival. The free Fall Festival also features carnival rides, live entertainment, food and vendors, with rides, games, food and beverages available for an additional cost.
OCAABA Moon Festival
Newport Beach Civic Center | 100 Civic Center Drive
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 5:30PM – 8PM
Enjoy a boba bar, tasty food, beverages and moon cakes at this moon festival mixer.
Harvest Moon Celebration
Tanaka Farms
Friday, September 25, 2026
Enjoy an evening of fun and fine fare, regional delights, music and a selection of craft beer and wine, all enjoyed from an incredible hilltop venue.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Centennial Park, Santa Ana
2026 TBA
This free and family-friendly event highlights Asian cultures and the Vietnamese members with a celebration of the fall harvest and full moon.
Mid-Autumn Children’s Festival/Vui Tet Trung Thu
14452 Chestnut St, Westminster, CA
2026 TBA
Lunar Legacy: A Haunted Moonlit Market
Fountain Valley High School: 17816 Bushard Street Fountain Valley, CA 92708
2026 TBA
This is Orange County’s first spooky Asian night market where Mid-Autumn magic meets Halloween thrills under a haunted moonlight.
More Events
- Mid-Autumn Festival (MainPlace Mall) – Sept 26, 2026
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Bella Terra) – TBA
About Moon Festivals
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. Traditions vary by country and community, but the festival has deep cultural significance in China, Vietnam, Taiwan and other parts of East and Southeast Asia.
On this day, families gather to appreciate the moon’s beauty, offer prayers for good harvests and prosperity, and share delicious mooncakes—round pastries filled with sweet fillings that symbolize unity and togetherness. Lanterns are seen as symbolic beacons that light the path to prosperity and good fortune. They play an integral role in the festival, illuminating the night with their colorful glow in a multitude of different shapes and sizes. The Moon Festival showcases the importance of family, gratitude, and provides an opportunity to gather, reflect on the past, and give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions.
In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu) is an important celebration strongly associated with children and family activities. It is also commonly known as the Children’s Festival because of its emphasis on children. In ancient times, the Vietnamese believed children possessed the most direct link to the spiritual realm, making proximity to them a conduit for connecting with the divine. This tradition continues to be reflected in modern times, as most Vietnamese festival customs and activities are centered on or involve children, encompassing practices like gift-giving and the timeless art of traditional dragon dances.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is known as Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) in Chinese and Tết Trung Thu in Vietnamese, and it is sometimes called the Mooncake Festival. Other Asian autumn traditions include Tsukimi in Japan and Chuseok in Korea; these have their own distinct histories and customs and should not be treated as identical celebrations.