TRADITION changes with every generation, shaped by times people live in and what they choose to carry forward.
The Mid-Autumn Festival of today may sparkle with electric lanterns, elaborate mooncakes and lively public celebrations, but its central themes have travelled across generations.
Age-old customs such as gathering beneath the moon, carrying lanterns, sharing food and passing on old stories once again brought the local community together for the Penang Mid-Autumn Festival 2026.
The event, held at the Esplanade in George Town featured a variety of traditional performances, interactive activities, games and a food bazaar.
Children walked with lanterns in hand while families, some clad in traditional costumes, posed for photographs.
Strings of lanterns bathed the area in a warm glow as upbeat music created an air of festivity.
For a few hours, the open field and street in front of the Town Hall and City Hall became a colourful meeting place where past and present came together.
For others, the occasion was as much about creating new memories while reliving old traditions.
Meaningful outing
Mike Ng, 42, said the annual event gave him, his wife and three children the experience of carrying lanterns and walking together as a family.
It was also an opportunity for his children – Quintus, 13, Jack, 10, and six-year-old Stella – to participate in something meaningful rather than being glued to their device screens.
“They love holding lanterns, as the light fascinates them,” said Ng, a businessman and regular festival visitor for many years.
The experience also brought back childhood memories of walking around his neighbourhood with his parents during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Nowadays, it is less conducive for children to do that because of safety concerns. In cities, there is so much traffic and crowds.
“Events like this give children a safe space to walk around, enjoy themselves and reconnect with their heritage,” he added.
Stella dressed as Chang Er – the goddess who supposedly resides on the moon after drinking an elixir of immortality, one of the festival’s best-known legends.
She had fun fashioning a lantern the traditional way, wrapping colourful cellophane wrap (glass paper) around a wire frame.
Ng has also experienced the festival in Vietnam as his wife is from there.
This has given him a multi-faceted view of the different atmospheres and practices.
“It is interesting to see how different communities interpret traditions,” he added.
Precision engineer Quah Thian Soon, 39, wanted his nine-year-old daughter Xin Nee to experience the joys from his own childhood.
He recalled making lanterns when he was young and missed the feeling of hand-crafting and carrying them.
“Nowadays, most lanterns are battery-powered and fewer families walk around their neighbourhoods,” he said.
“Events like this allowed my daughter to experience something she would not otherwise,” he added.
Quah only found out about the celebration on the day and decided to stop by.
He was pleased to see his daughter eagerly exploring some of the activities and exhibits.
There was an exhibit highlighting Chinese clans and surnames, which allowed many visitors to learn about how their ancestors journeyed to then-Malaya and built their lives here.
“It is good for children to learn about their culture and heritage,” Quah added.
Cultural appreciation
For teacher Farrah Hasnu, 37, the appreciation of culture can go beyond one’s own heritage.
She brought her 10-year-old daughter, Wan Intan Mahiya Wan Fadzli Ikram, to participate in the Chinese Traditional Character Cosplay and Costume Competition.
Wan Intan Mahiya drew a lot of attention with her Immortal Jade Dragon Princess outfit, complete with multiple custom-made dragon heads and even a serpentine staff.
“My dad helped make my costume and props. It took about six months.
“We researched cultural elements before interpreting them for the character,” she said.
“I have joined a lot of costume competitions and wanted something that stood out from others.”
Farrah said she encouraged her daughter to participate in such events as it helped build her confidence in front of crowds, while giving her fond memories to look back on.
As an educator, she believes it is important for children to have opportunities to explore traditions beyond their own.
“Learning about different cultures allows us to understand people better.
“Harmony is important in a country like Malaysia where we live alongside people of different races,” said Farrah.
Hands-on fun
Part of the event’s appeal were the hands-on workshops and traditional games at activity zones named after the four seasons.
At the Autumn Zone, besides the aforementioned lantern-making, visitors were also able to get a feel for making mooncakes.
From rolling dough to stuffing it with filling and pressing it into a mould, many gained newfound appreciation of mooncakes – a must-have for this time of year.
That, however, did not sway freelance model Denise Hee, 27, who has never been particularly fond of eating mooncakes.
“Even so, I have always been curious about how they are made. It is not something you can readily learn anywhere.
“I enjoy interactive celebrations as it is a fun way to discover lesser-known aspects of tradition and heritage,” she said.
Another visitor, logistics coordinator Loh Chee Keong, 30, loves lantern riddles the most.
He spent about 15 minutes going from lantern to lantern
to try and match the brain teasers with the provided set of possible answers.
“I am a huge fan of puzzles and get excited when I solve something.
“Every time I attend public events during Chinese New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival, I look for the riddles,” he said.
Myriad highlights
Other activities included dough figurine and lacquer fan workshops at the Summer Zone.
There was also a hoop rolling game called wind-fire wheel, as well as Chuiwan – an ancient Chinese precursor to golf.
The Spring Zone featured paper cutting and five-grain art workshops alongside olden day childhood games such as hopscotch and batu seremban.
At the Winter Zone, visitors were able to fashion blue-and-white porcelain paintings and rattle drums.
Equally popular were the ring toss game and tangram puzzle challenge.
Meanwhile, a series of musical, dance, martial arts and cultural performances kept crowds entertained at the main stage.
There was a Sichuan opera face-changing routine themed “Twin Heroes Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival” by the Penang Nasi Lemak Face-Changing Troupe.
The group derived its name from the incorporation of Malaysian elements in their acts, which left audiences amazed and amused in equal measure.
This was complemented by thunderous drums, diabolo and wushu showcases by local youngsters, as well as Chinese orchestral music by a talented ensemble.
Wak Long Music and Art Centre injected an element of diversity with their timeless gamelan numbers, while George Town-born Mandopop singer Abin Fang made an appearance too.
There was also an exhibition highlighting histories and contributions of the different Chinese clans who established themselves in the state across history.
Keeping culture alive
The Penang Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 was organised by the Clan-Associations Youth Committee, Penang.
Organising chairman Goh Kok Liang said the celebration was not just about mooncakes or moon-gazing, but honouring shared values of reunion, gratitude, inheritance and human connection.
“The sense of kinship between family, friends and the community lies at the heart of our efforts to protect traditional culture.”
Goh said the committee had organised many such activities in Penang over the years to give young people opportunities to appreciate their own roots.
“It facilitates exchanges and cooperation between different clans and communities.
“Cultural inheritance should not be just a slogan, but people actively coming together to participate, contribute and perpetuate the spirit,” he added.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the festival was one of the most significant events for the local Chinese community.
“A bright moon, a lantern and a family reunion may seem simple but it carries the shared memories of generations.
“When our forebears first arrived in Penang to make a new life, clan halls and associations served as vital platforms for mutual support and belonging.
“Through their efforts across generations, these organisations became an integral part of the state’s cultural heritage.
“As we celebrate here today, we should also reflect on their contributions and what we ourselves can leave for the next generation,” Wong said in his speech.
He said the state government valued Chinese culture, as evident with its support for annual events such as Penang Chinese New Year Celebration (Miaohui), Dragon Boat Festival, Lantern Festival, International High Pole Lion Dance Competition and Chingay.
“Tourists come to Penang for more than just architecture and food.
“What they truly want to experience is the city’s culture, stories and way of life.
“Our Mid-Autumn Festival is one of our most precious cultural assets.
“It can only continue when people embrace the spirit and pass it on,” he added.
This year, the festival falls on Sept 25, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
Traditionally associated with harvest celebrations and worship of the moon, it is now widely marked by family gatherings, lanterns and mooncakes.
