The Ultimate Guide to 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Events in the SF Bay Area

In the highly diverse and multicultural expanse of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Mid-Autumn Festival has transcended its seasonal origins to become one of the most anticipated and celebrated annual cultural events for the entire Asian American community. Every lunar August, from the historic streets of San Francisco's Chinatown to the tech-driven heart of Silicon Valley, cities light up with brilliant red lanterns, and the sweet aroma of baked mooncakes fills the air. Whether your ideal celebration involves networking with elites at a premium high-end banquet or taking your children to a bustling street fair to experience traditional lantern riddles and lion dances, the Bay Area's vibrant lineup ensures you will find a profound sense of belonging. To help you and your family enjoy a perfect holiday of reunion, we have compiled an in-depth guide to the top five Mid-Autumn festival events you must attend in 2026.

2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Events in the SF Bay Area

KTSF 50th Anniversary Banquet

• Date Saturday, September 12, 2026

• Time 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Event Link Click here to reserve your exclusive seats

• Details Taking place just before the official Mid-Autumn holiday, the 50th Anniversary Banquet hosted by KTSF Channel 26—the Bay Area's most influential Asian media institution—is undeniably the premier choice for an early, upscale holiday reunion. Held at the Koi Palace in Daly City, this grand gala not only features a meticulously curated, high-end Chinese menu designed by master chefs, but it also radiates a profound sense of community warmth and gratitude. During this traditional season of gathering, bringing your elders and close friends to this event allows you to enjoy exquisite dining, spectacular cultural performances, and close interactions with familiar television anchors and community leaders. It is the perfect, high-caliber prelude to your Mid-Autumn celebrations.

San Francisco Chinatown 35th Autumn Moon Festival

• Date September 19 – September 20, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)

• Time 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Event Link Visit the Moon Festival website for details

• Details As one of the largest and oldest Mid-Autumn celebrations in North America, the SF Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival marks a highly significant 35th anniversary this year. Over the course of this two-day event, the historic core of Chinatown will be transformed into a sea of red lanterns. In addition to a dazzling array of mooncake tasting booths and Asian street food, the main stage will offer non-stop traditional Chinese folk dances, martial arts demonstrations, and classical music performances. The absolute highlights are the majestic traditional dragon and lion dance parades and the ceremonial sharing of a giant mooncake, allowing residents and tourists of all backgrounds to deeply immerse themselves in the authentic, enduring spirit of this cultural festival.

Oakland Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival

• Date September 12 – September 13, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)

• Time 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Event Link Visit the Oakland Chamber website for details

• Details Deeply rooted in the East Bay community, the Oakland Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival attracts tens of thousands of attendees every year with its authentic, local street-market vibe and strong community cohesion. During the festival, several blocks of Oakland Chinatown become pedestrian-only zones, lined with diverse Asian food stalls, traditional handicraft booths, and interactive exhibits from local small businesses. The event features carnival games and paper lantern making for children, alongside traditional Cantonese opera excerpts and folk dances performed by local community groups. This lively, family-friendly atmosphere is perfect for an outing with relatives of all ages to rediscover the pure joy of childhood festivals.

Cupertino Mid-Autumn Night Market

• Date Friday, September 25, 2026 (Mid-Autumn Day)

• Time 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Event Link Visit the Cupertino City website for details

• Details On the actual evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the City of Cupertino in the South Bay will host an outdoor night market that perfectly blends modern tech aesthetics with traditional culture. The event features breathtaking large-scale traditional lantern installations, alongside a highly popular lineup of Bay Area Asian food trucks and street snack vendors. Families are encouraged to sit together on the expansive park lawns, tasting freshly cut artisan mooncakes and savory night market treats while participating in lantern riddle decoding and traditional craft workshops. Set under the cool autumn sky of Silicon Valley, accompanied by the soothing melodies of the Guzheng (Chinese zither), it is a rare moment of tranquil, modern reunion under the full moon.

History Park SJ Children's Moon Festival

• Date Saturday, September 26, 2026

• Time 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Event Link Visit the History San Jose website for details

• Details Nestled within History Park in San Jose, the Children's Moon Festival is a highly interactive traditional cultural experience day tailored specifically for families with young children. Organizers translate this ancient holiday into fun, hands-on activities. Among the vintage park architecture, children can learn to craft traditional colored paper lanterns, try their hand at clay painting, and listen to storytellers share classic folktales like the legend of the Moon Goddess Chang'e. The event also features a fun "Search for the Moon Rabbit" scavenger hunt across the park, ensuring the next generation naturally understands and carries forward this enduring Chinese cultural heritage through joyful, educational play.

2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Planning Tips 

The Mid-Autumn Festival is not merely about indulging in mooncakes; it is a precious opportunity to strengthen emotional bonds with family and friends while passing down cultural memories. From star-studded media Golden Jubilee banquets to modern night markets under the Silicon Valley stars, the Bay Area offers the most vibrant array of holiday choices. Seats for top-tier events like the 50th Anniversary Banquet—which combine immense networking value with extraordinary culinary standards—are consistently in high demand. We highly recommend planning your itinerary early, securing your banquet reservations, or organizing your transit for the street fairs in advance. Step out this beautiful early autumn and forge unforgettable full-moon memories with your loved ones!