Celebrate the Moon Festival at Darling Square with traditional flavours, colourful lanterns, face painting, traditional Chinese entertainment and live DJs
The Darling Square Moon Festival honours the historical Chinese Mid-Autumn festival, one of the most significant holidays for Asian cultures. The festival traditionally celebrates the Autumn harvest and the notion of giving thanks. Originating in China, it is now celebrated across many Asian countries, including Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia & Japan. In modern times, it signifies family near and far, personal connection and reunions, and quality time spent together when we meet.
Be immersed in a world of colour as you dine and dance amongst hundreds of lanterns. Taste the traditional flavours of the festival with delicious moon cakes, and dance the night away with DJs and traditional Chinese entertainment.
From the 29th September - 1st October, spend $50 at any Darling Square retailer during the festival and receive a FREE paper lantern! Check out the calligraphy bar and have the artist personalise you lantern with a special message in Chinese or English!
Also each Saturday and Sunday from 6-9pm enjoy live music from Flygirl Tee, Mark Matthews and DJ Aycuz, as well as an acrobatic lion dance performance from Jin Wu Koon at 6.30pm on Friday 29 September.
What’s On:
Live music and DJs Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 September 6pm – 9pm
Traditional dancers: Friday 29 September 6:30pm
Face painting Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 September
Take a memorable photo under the lanterns, enjoy live music and lion dances, and taste delicious, limited-time dishes and drinks from the below venues:
Chinta Ria - Enjoy its Moon Festival inspired menus with a selection of its most popular signature dishes: Love ($80pp), Peace ($118pp); and Happiness ($188pp)
XOPP - Pick up the XOPP Mooncake collection including flavours such as golden egg custard, red bean lotus root; and a mixed flavour box.
Hello Auntie - Indulge in its XO tiger prawns with lime gel, shiso and nori paired with two cocktail specials: Moon Light (pandan rum, Chartreuse, pineapple, and mango puree); and the 15-08 (gin, dragon fruit and St. Germain).
Dopa - Take your pick of a delicious $10 mini don with chicken teriyaki, chicken karaage, or veggies.
IIKO Mazesoba - Try its special Moon Festival menus with highlights including its brothless specialty ramen, with a vegan option, and snowskin bunny mooncakes!
Gong Grocer - Don’t forget to grab the festival's namesake Moon Cake to share with loved ones!
For a truly immersive experience, guests are also invited to explore the tranquil paths of the Chinese Garden of Friendship with lantern riddles (Monday 25 September to Sunday 8 October) offering messages of wisdom and good fortune.
There’ll also be an Appreciating the Moon event (Saturday 30 September, from 6pm to 9pm) where you can experience the magic of moon-watching after dark with soothing music performances for one night only ($12pp)!
Free.