The Shops at Skyview will host a Moon Festival celebration on Saturday, Sept. 14, inviting the Queens community to partake in the rich traditions of this important Asian holiday.
The event, which runs from 2 to 6 p.m., offers a mix of complementary and ticketed activities, including cultural dance performances, live music, food tastings, and a hands-on mooncake workshop.
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is the second most significant celebration in many Asian cultures, next to the Lunar New Year. It is a significant harvest celebration in Chinese culture, held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar, typically between mid-September and early October. It marks a time when the moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest, symbolizing unity and prosperity.
The festival is traditionally a time for family reunions and gatherings, with vibrant lantern displays and the sharing of mooncakes, a pastry filled with sweet or savory fillings. The celebration is deeply rooted in the legend of Chang’e, the Moon goddess in Chinese mythology.
The Skyview event aims to bring those themes to life with a series of family-friendly activities. Among the highlights is a cultural dance performance from D&M Dancing Art Studio, featuring Asian ribbon and feather fan dances with contemporary twists inspired by the fairy in the moon. The New York-based all-female band MISS will provide live music, blending traditional instruments like the erhu, pipa, and guzheng with modern sounds.
Guests will also have the opportunity to sample mooncakes, pastries, and teas from Skyview retailers, including Hong Kong MX Mooncakes. For those looking for a more interactive experience, a Moon Cake DIY Workshop will be held at 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., led by Christine Wong, author of “The Vibrant Hong Kong Table.” Participants will learn how to make the iconic sweet treat and receive a copy of Wong’s cookbook, ingredients, a special gift box, and a $10 coupon to Grandma’s Dimsum. Tickets for the workshop are $35, and pre-registration is required.
The Shops at Skyview, located at 40-24 College Point Blvd. in Flushing, is expecting a large turnout for this colorful event that showcases Asian culture through performances, music, and culinary experiences. Although some activities are free with registration, the Moon Cake DIY Workshop requires a fee. To register or learn more, visit the event’s official page on The Shops at Skyview website.
