Awesome events and deals in Beijing for Mid-Autumn Festival

Photo: Chinh Le Duc/Unsplash.com

There's more to Mid-Autumn Festival than mooncakes

When you hear the words Mid-Autumn Festival, does your brain immediately think of dry, red bean flavoured mooncakes? Well, it doesn't have to. With a wide array of events and deals on offer this week, you won't be out of options celebrating this Mid-Autumn Festival in Beijing. From mooncake-making classes to weekend escapes, read on our guide on where to make the most out of it in the capital. 

Mid-Autumn Harvest Feast at the Brickyard

Photo: The Brickyard

The Brickyard. Fri 13-Sat 14. 5-9pm. 198RMB for adults/98RMB 

Join The Brickyard as their Mid-Autumn Harvest Feast returns for another year in Beigou. A great reason to escape the bustle of the city and get closer to nature while spending the traditional Chinese holiday the local way. Take part in a traditional village celebration accompanied by a feast, live folk music, and moon-viewing at the foot of the Great Wall.

Mooncake Making & Tea Tasting at the Hutong

Photo: The Hutong

The Hutong. Sat 14. 2.30-5pm. 200RMB/180RMB (for members)

Treats taste better when you make them yourselves. Come and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Hutong by making some mooncakes as well as sampling and making handcrafted tea that goes along the staple. In this two-and-half-hour session, you’ll also get to learn the history and techniques behind these traditions, and taste-test which mooncake flavours pair well with different types of tea.

Mid-Autumn Festival at the Bookworm

Photo: An Min/Pxhere

The Bookworm. Wed 11. 7.30-9.30pm. 100RMB/80RMB adv

For culture buffs, head to The Bookworm to experience some traditions and customs found during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Snack on mooncakes paired with tea, learn how the day is celebrated in ancient times, all the while playing lantern riddles, learning to read Chinese poems and DIY-ing your own lanterns and other handcrafts. For more information, add the event host Chan (WeChat: 15800152268).

Mid-Autumn Festival at the Black Sesame Kitchen

Photo: Chinh Le Duc/Unsplash.com

Black Sesame Kitchen. Fri 13 10am-2pm; Sat 14 10am-noon. 150-190RMB

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with another cultural immersion at Black Sesame Kitchen at one of their upcoming activities. The cultural centre is holding a family-friendly open house where you can learn how to make mooncakes, paint a Beijing clay rabbit, make paper flowers and take part in an outdoor tea ceremony.

Full Moon Party at Beersmith

Beersmith Gastropub. Thu 12. 7pm-late. FREE

Often known as the Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is all about the full moon. And what better way to kick it than with a full moon party. For revellers, Beersmith is throwing a party inspired by Thai island Koh Phangan’s famous beach raves. In-house band Soul Shake will be pumping out tunes on the decks, with drinking games to play and refreshing cocktails and beers served on the side.

Constellation Collection from China World Summit

Photo: China World Summit

China World Summit Wing. Until Fri 13. 9am-9pm. 138-588RMB

Looking for something to give to families and friends? China World Summit reinvents the art of tradition with a selection of easy-to-carry mooncake gift boxes and hampers filled with creative mooncake flavours and imported food items. The limited-edition mooncake box produced by The Palace Museum Food is a highlight.

Mooncakes from the Fairmont Beijing

Photo: The Fairmont Beijing

Lunar 8. Until Fri 13. 6.30am-10pm. 258-368RMB

This year Fairmont Beijing offers a collection of both six-piece and eight-piece sets of delicate and elegant mooncakes, with a variety of flavours ranging from traditional egg yolk with white lotus paste to the exotic French walnut macchiato, presented in specially-designed boxes inspired by Chinese folk culture.

Huang Ting Homemade Mooncakes

Photo: The Peninsula Beijing

The Peninsula Beijing. Until Fri 13. 11am-9.30pm. 398RMB

And lastly, one for those with adventurous taste bud, the Peninsula Beijing is offering handcrafted mooncakes in three exquisite flavours, including the classic Peninsula egg custard mooncakes accompanied by fruity pineapple, as well as durian mooncakes. 

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