2026 Southern California Mid Autumn Festival Event Market, Lion Dance, Classical Moon Appreciation -5 Selected Views to See at Once
The Labor Day holiday has just passed, and Southern California will be busy again, because Mid-Autumn Festival is on September 25th! This year, from Santa Anna, Temple City, Los Angeles to Irvine and San Marino, museums, city governments, and Chinese communities have all prepared performances, markets, handicrafts, and moon watching activities.
Whether you want to take your children to watch lion dance, accompany your elders to festivals and markets, or go to classical gardens to admire the moon at night, the following 5 events are announced by the organizers as the dates and contents for 2026. I have organized all the free and ticket sellers together. But remember to check the official website again before departure to avoid last-minute changes in time or admission arrangements.
🎨 1. One look at parent-child handicrafts, kungfu and face changing: Baoer Museum Mid-Autumn Festival
Are you looking for a rich and cost-effective parent-child activity? The Bowers Museum in Santa Anna can be included.
There were demonstrations of Chinese printing and Paper Cuttings, tea art, traditional costumes, Shaolin Kung Fu, Youth National Orchestra, Chinese and Vietnamese dance, and face changing of Sichuan Opera! There are free art crafts, facial paintings, and limited mooncake tasting outdoors. Traditional clothing photography is charged separately.
Time: September 13th (Sunday) from 11am to 3pm Location: Bowers Museum, 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706 Cost: Free family festival activities Official link: https://www.bowers.org/index.php/programs/festivals/asian-mid-autumn-festival-2
🎊 2. Market, Performance, and Outdoor Film: World Journal x Tianpu City's "2026 Hi Mid Autumn Festival"
This "Hi Autumn" carnival, jointly organized by the World Journal Los Angeles and the Temple City Government, has been held in Temple City Park for two consecutive days this year, making it one of the larger Mid Autumn weekend events in the San Gabriel Valley.
There are food, beverage, and cultural and creative stalls on site, and performances such as martial arts, dance, and bands are arranged on the main stage. There are also surprise draws and free mooncakes. There is an outdoor movie on Saturday evening, suitable for the whole family to play from day to night.
Time: September 19th (Saturday) and September 20th (Sunday), from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm Location: Temple City Park, 5939 Golden West Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780 Cost: Free admission, dining and booth expenses are charged separately Official link: https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121359/9722430
🦁 3. Free Lion Dance at Museum Square: LACMA Mid Autumn Festival Special Event
Do you want to schedule Mid Autumn Festival activities and museum visits on the same day? You can go to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The museum has arranged a Mid Autumn Festival lion dance performance during the "Third Weekends" event.
Immortals Lion Dance will bring traditional lion dance with live music, and the performance will be held on the David Geffen Gallery square level. Free, but the time is only one hour. It can be combined with nearby museums or food itineraries.
Time: September 20th (Sunday) from 3pm to 4pm Location: LACMA David Geffen Gallery, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Cost: Free Official link: https://www.lacma.org/nah/node/49665
🏮 4. Visit the Grand Park on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival: the 6th Mid-Autumn Festival in Erwan
Want to go to the big park on Mid-Autumn Festival? Erwan City held the sixth Mid-Autumn Festival in Great Park. Families living in Orange County can participate in large-scale community celebrations organized by the city government without having to travel far to Los Angeles.
There are cultural performances, traditional exhibitions, parent-child handicrafts, and catering on site, with a focus on free and family friendly options. Great Park has a large area, and the city government reminds that the navigation and parking routes may be adjusted due to the ongoing construction of the park. It is best to check the official route instructions before departure.
Time: September 25th (Friday) from 5pm to 9:30pm Location: Great Park, 8000 Great Park Boulevard, Irvine, CA 92618 Cost: Free Official link: https://cityofirvine.gov/community-library-services-department/mid-autumn-festival
- Night tour of Liufang Garden sold chimes: Han Tingdun Mid Autumn Festival moon viewing
Do you want to admire the moon in a classical garden? The Mid Autumn Festival night at The Huntington Library's "Fragrant Garden" is a representative cultural experience in Southern California. However, the museum has already marked all three nights of performances as sold out. Friends who haven't bought tickets shouldn't just try their luck.
The Liufang Garden, which is open at night, will light up pavilions, courtyards, and trails. There is live music, a specialty market, and restaurants and stalls where you can also buy meals and desserts. If someone refunds or releases a ticket in the future, the official ticket sales page shall prevail.
Time: September 25th (Friday) to September 27th (Sunday), 6:30pm to 9pm every night Location: The Huntington Chinese Garden, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 Ticket prices: $35 for members, $40 for the general public, $10 for ages 4 to 11, and free for ages 4 and under; Currently sold out Official link: https://www.huntington.org/event/mid-autumn-moon-celebration
Remember two things before departure
Free activities may also be subject to temporary restrictions due to overcrowding, requiring confirmation of parking, shuttle, and entry regulations before driving. If you want to take care of elders or young children, prioritize daytime sessions and leave some time for rest and walking.
The events are all scheduled from September 13th to 27th, and the roads are usually congested during the popular time slot. Save the official page on your phone, arrive early, leave time for moon viewing and reunion, don't use it to find a parking spot by taking detours.
