10 Best Mid-Autumn Festival Events in the San Francisco Bay Area 2026
2The 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday, September 25, but celebrations across the San Francisco Bay Area begin much earlier and continue throughout the final weekend of the month. From large street festivals in San Francisco to an Asian night market in San Jose, family art activities in Fremont and community celebrations in Oakland, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the Moon Festival this year.
Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated across many East and Southeast Asian communities, with traditions that vary by culture and family. Mooncakes, lanterns, storytelling, family meals and gatherings under the full moon are among the best-known customs, but the meaning behind them remains remarkably consistent: reunion, gratitude and spending time with the people who matter most. In the Bay Area, those traditions have evolved into a particularly diverse calendar of Chinese, Vietnamese and Asian American community events.
Whether you are searching for Mid-Autumn Festival events in San Francisco, Bay Area Moon Festival 2026, San Jose Mid-Autumn Festival activities, or a family-friendly celebration near home, these 10 events offer some of the most interesting ways to celebrate around the Bay Area.
1. KTSF 2026 CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala
Event Name: 2026 CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
How to Watch: Broadcast on KTSF and available through ZEAM
Language: Mandarin with Chinese subtitles
For Bay Area families who prefer to celebrate at home on Mid-Autumn Festival night, the 2026 CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala offers one of the easiest ways to make the evening feel special. The program airs on Friday, September 25 at 8:00 PM, with Mandarin programming and Chinese subtitles. Viewers can watch through KTSF and ZEAM, making it possible for families throughout the Bay Area to enjoy the celebration together without needing to travel.
The annual Mid-Autumn Gala brings together singers, dancers and artists for a large-scale program centered on the full moon, reunion, homecoming and Chinese cultural traditions. Traditional artistic elements are combined with contemporary stage design and visual effects, creating a show that can appeal to grandparents, parents and children at the same time. For families who have already spent the day attending another festival, returning home for dinner, mooncakes and the KTSF broadcast is also a natural way to end Mid-Autumn Festival together.
2. 2026 San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival
Event Name: 2026 San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival
Dates: September 19–20, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Grant Avenue between California Street and Broadway, San Francisco Chinatown
Admission: Free
Event Link: San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival
The San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival remains one of the Bay Area's signature Mid-Autumn celebrations. Returning September 19 and 20, the two-day festival transforms historic Grant Avenue into a lively street fair filled with mooncakes, food vendors, local businesses, community organizations, children's activities and continuous entertainment.
The 2026 schedule blends traditional Chinese culture with modern Asian American entertainment. Visitors can see lion dancing, martial arts, Chinese folk dance, guzheng music, tai chi and taiko performances, while younger audiences may enjoy contemporary programming such as the K-pop dance contest. A dumpling competition and closing dragon parade add even more energy on Sunday. Because admission is free, families can stop by for an hour or build an entire day around Chinatown dining, shopping and cultural activities.
For first-time visitors looking for a classic San Francisco Moon Festival experience, this is the event that best combines history, neighborhood culture and large-scale festival energy.
3. 10th Annual SF Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival
Event Name: 10th Annual SF Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Clement Street between 8th and 11th Avenues, San Francisco
Admission: Free
Event Link: SF Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival
The Richmond District begins San Francisco's Mid-Autumn season early with the 10th Annual SF Richmond District Autumn Moon Festival on September 12. The free, family-friendly festival brings more than 100 local vendors and community organizations to Clement Street, along with hot food, cultural performances, family activities, raffles and seasonal decorations.
One of the most family-friendly attractions is the Mid-Autumn rabbit petting area, inspired by the Jade Rabbit associated with Chinese moon mythology. The celebration also includes a giant mooncake-cutting ceremony, giving visitors a fun way to participate in one of the holiday's most recognizable traditions.
Compared with the larger Chinatown festival, the Richmond event has a distinctly neighborhood-oriented atmosphere. Families who live on the west side of San Francisco, or anyone looking for a more manageable event with young children, may find it especially convenient.
4. Mid-Autumn Festival by 365 Night Market
Event Name: September 25–26 Mid-Autumn Festival by 365 Night Market
Dates: September 25–26, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Grand Century Shopping Mall, 1111 Story Road, San Jose, CA 95122
Admission: Free admission and free parking
Event Link: 365 Night Market Mid-Autumn Festival
For South Bay residents who want to celebrate on the actual Mid-Autumn Festival date, the 365 Night Market in San Jose is one of this year's most convenient choices. The event begins Friday, September 25 and continues Saturday evening, bringing more than 50 vendors to Grand Century Shopping Mall.
Food is a major part of the experience, but the night market also includes shopping, music, dance performances, cultural entertainment and raffle giveaways. Rather than following a strict program, visitors can arrive when they want, find dinner, walk through the vendor booths, watch performances and stay for dessert later in the evening.
For families in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Cupertino and Fremont, the location eliminates the need to drive into central San Francisco. Another option is to visit the market early on September 25 and head home in time for the KTSF Mid-Autumn Festival Gala at 8:00 PM, combining a lively community event with a more traditional family evening.
5. CPAA Mid-Autumn Festival 2026
Event Name: Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 by Chinese Performing Arts of America
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM–7:30 PM; performances approximately 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: CPAA Arts Center, 6148 Bollinger Road, San Jose, CA 95129
Admission: Free; donations welcome
Event Link: CPAA Mid-Autumn Festival 2026
The Chinese Performing Arts of America Mid-Autumn Festival brings a community-oriented celebration to San Jose on the Sunday following the holiday. The event combines cultural performances, mooncakes, activity booths, a raffle and a community potluck, with the main performance program scheduled from approximately 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
This is a particularly appealing event for families who prefer a smaller cultural gathering over a large street festival. Guests can spend time watching performances, visiting community booths and sharing food rather than moving through dense crowds. The potluck element also gives the evening a more personal feeling, turning the celebration into something closer to a neighborhood gathering.
For residents of West San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga and surrounding communities, the location is also convenient. Because the event takes place two days after Mid-Autumn Festival, it offers another opportunity to celebrate without competing with plans on Friday night.
6. OVCC Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 in Oakland Little Saigon
Event Name: OVCC Mid-Autumn Festival 2026
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: Clinton Park, 655 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94606
Age Group: All ages
Event Link: OVCC Mid-Autumn Festival 2026
Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated across many Asian cultures, and the Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce Mid-Autumn Festival offers East Bay families a chance to experience the holiday through Oakland's Vietnamese American community. Held in Little Saigon, the festival brings together local residents, businesses and community organizations for an afternoon focused on culture, food and connection.
Visitors can explore small-business and artisan vendors, community resource booths, cultural activities, family-friendly games, entertainment, food and giveaways. The event is designed for all ages, making it a practical choice for multigenerational families who want to spend a Sunday afternoon outdoors.
For Bay Area families, attending celebrations from different communities can also be an interesting way to show children how one holiday can take on different traditions across Asia while still sharing familiar themes of family, gratitude and togetherness.
7. Sunnyvale Mid-Autumn Festival Storytime and Craft
Event Name: Mid-Autumn Festival Storytime and Craft
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Recommended Ages: Children ages 3 and up with caregivers
Admission: Free; no registration required, but space is limited
Event Link: Sunnyvale Public Library Mid-Autumn Festival
Families with younger children may want to begin their Mid-Autumn celebrations at the Sunnyvale Public Library. The one-hour Storytime and Craft program introduces the holiday through storytelling and a hands-on creative activity, making it particularly suitable for preschool and elementary-age children.
Unlike a busy street festival, the library environment allows children to learn about the holiday at a slower pace. Parents can use the stories as a starting point for conversations about the moon, mooncakes, the Jade Rabbit and why family reunion plays such an important role in Mid-Autumn traditions.
The program is free and does not require advance registration, but capacity is limited and doors will close once the room is full. Families interested in attending should plan to arrive a little early.
8. CalColor Fremont Mid-Autumn Festival Moonlit Art Night
Event Name: CalColor Fremont: Mid-Autumn Festival Moonlit Event
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM–6:30 PM
Location: CalColor Academy Fremont, 47816 Warm Springs Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94539
Age Group: All ages
Event Link: CalColor Fremont Mid-Autumn Festival
Families who prefer creative activities to a large street fair can head to Fremont for CalColor's Moonlit Art Night. The event celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival through visual art, hands-on activities and community participation, creating a different kind of Moon Festival experience.
The program includes a student Moonlit Art Show, an air-dry clay workshop for children, an adult painting activity, digital sticker making, family coloring and festive photo opportunities. A Mooncake & Tea Community Corner gives visitors a chance to relax and connect after participating in the creative activities.
Students also contribute moon-themed artwork to a collaborative installation. Some individual workshops may require separate registration or payment, so families interested in a specific activity should check the event listing before attending.
9. Mahjong and Mooncakes in Oakland
Event Name: Mahjong and Mooncakes
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Open Test Kitchen, Oakland, CA
Event Link: Mahjong and Mooncakes
For adults and younger professionals looking for something more social than a traditional family festival, Mahjong and Mooncakes offers a creative way to celebrate on the night before Mid-Autumn Festival. The Oakland event brings together two familiar cultural traditions—mahjong and mooncakes—and turns them into an evening built around food, games and meeting new people.
Beginner-friendly mahjong tables will allow newcomers to learn the game, while more experienced players can join selected Hong Kong-style tables. The evening also features locally made mooncakes, Hong Kong-inspired comfort food and drinks. Rather than watching performances from the sidelines, guests spend the evening actively playing, eating and talking with one another.
That interactive format makes the event especially appealing for friends, couples or anyone hoping to connect with other members of the Bay Area Asian American community in a relaxed setting.
10. Bodhi Mid-Autumn Festival Community Fair at Golden Gate Park
Event Name: Bodhi Mid-Autumn Festival Community Fair – Lanterns, Culture & Family Fun
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122
Admission: Free
Event Link: Bodhi Mid-Autumn Festival Community Fair
Mid-Autumn celebrations continue through Sunday at the Bodhi Mid-Autumn Festival Community Fair in Golden Gate Park. The free event combines lanterns, Chinese cultural experiences, Hanfu, crafts, games, live performances and family activities inside the San Francisco County Fair Building.
Visitors can explore themed activity stations, take festival photos, participate in games and enjoy multicultural performances throughout the day. Hanfu is welcome for anyone who wants to dress traditionally and take photos, but special clothing is not required. The event also includes relaxing activity areas and a lucky draw, creating a mix of cultural celebration and casual family entertainment.
Because the venue is inside Golden Gate Park, the fair can easily become part of a full Sunday outing. Families can attend the festival and then continue exploring nearby gardens, museums or walking paths, making it an easy way to close out the 2026 Mid-Autumn weekend.
How to Choose the Best 2026 Bay Area Mid-Autumn Festival Event
The right event depends on the type of celebration you want. For the biggest traditional San Francisco experience, the Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival is difficult to beat. Families with younger children may prefer the Richmond District festival, Sunnyvale Library program or CalColor Fremont art event, where the pace is slower and activities are designed with children in mind.
South Bay families looking for a festive night out on September 25 can head to the 365 Night Market, while East Bay residents can choose between Oakland Little Saigon's community festival and the more social Mahjong and Mooncakes event. Anyone who prefers to stay home can prepare dinner and mooncakes and tune in to the KTSF 2026 CCTV Mid-Autumn Festival Gala at 8:00 PM on September 25.
Event schedules and on-site arrangements can change, particularly for community festivals and outdoor events, so checking the event page again before leaving home is always a good idea.
Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival in the Bay Area
For many immigrant and Asian American families, celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival in the Bay Area means combining traditions brought from home with new local experiences. One family might watch lion dancing in Chinatown, another may visit a San Jose night market, while friends in Oakland gather around a mahjong table. Later, everyone may end up doing the same thing: going home, cutting a mooncake and calling relatives who live somewhere else.
That combination of old and new is part of what makes Mid-Autumn Festival in the Bay Area special. The festival no longer belongs to one neighborhood or one type of celebration. It can happen on Grant Avenue, inside a Sunnyvale library, at an Oakland community kitchen, in a Fremont art studio or in the living room while watching KTSF.
With events running from September 12 through the weekend after the holiday, families do not have to fit everything into a single night. Attend a street festival with the kids, visit a night market with friends and still save September 25 for dinner with family. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the meaning at the center of Mid-Autumn Festival remains the same: sharing food, sharing time and finding a way to be together under the same moon.
Comments