Update 13 Oct 2025: The Chinatown Mid-Autumn Lantern Adoption Programme (认领灯笼) is now open for the public to adopt a lantern via application. From 13 to 20 October, participants may register to adopt lanterns from the light-up displays. Successful applicants will be notified by 27 October.

To apply, fill up the form here or scan the QR code below:

CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF HERITAGE, PROGRESS AND TOGETHERNESS

• Singapore’s iconic Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival returns with an expanded street light-up, captivating installations and festivities that honour the nation’s journey and community spirit.
• This year’s edition pays tribute to SG60 with the theme “60 Glorious Years: Celebrating Mid-Autumn in Singapore” (辉煌六十载，月满新加坡), weaving together Singapore’s multiculturalism, cultural heritage and shared memories in a luminous celebration for all.

As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 returns with a vibrant celebration of light, heritage and community spirit. From 7 September to 20 October, Chinatown will be transformed into a festive precinct. Filled with handcrafted displays, community activities and immersive cultural programmes that showcase our rich multiculturalism and Chinese traditions. Organised by the Chinatown Festival Committee and supported by the Kreta Ayer–Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee, this year’s edition reflects Singapore’s progress over the decades, while inviting people of all races and backgrounds to share in the joy of tradition, storytelling and togetherness.

This year’s celebration’s theme, aptly named “60 Glorious Years: Celebrating Mid-Autumn in Singapore” (辉煌六十载，月满新加坡), brings together cherished traditions from across Singapore’s diverse communities in a festival that honours our multicultural heritage while looking towards the future. Against the backdrop of a variety of descriptive lanterns and moonlight, the celebration becomes a powerful reminder of the spirit of resilience, unity and kinship that have carried the nation forward.

The Official Street Light-Up and Opening Ceremony (中秋亮灯仪式与开幕典礼) will take place on 18 September 2025 at 6pm at Kreta Ayer Square (牛车水广场). Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation Group and Adviser to Jalan Besar GRC GROs (Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng) will officiate the ceremony, alongside Dr Wan Rizal, Adviser to Jalan Besar GRC GROs (Kolam Ayer) and Mr Shawn Loh, Adviser to Jalan Besar GRC GROs (Whampoa).

Mrs Josephine Teo shared, “This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival takes on special significance as we celebrate both tradition and our nation’s 60th birthday. It is heartening to see Chinatown’s streets lit with joy and meaning and to witness how our rich multiculturalism continues to connect people of all races in Singapore. I hope this celebration brings families, friends, neighbours and visitors together in appreciation of where we’ve come from and where we are headed.”

Ms Guo Teyi, Director, Leisure Events, Singapore Tourism Board, added “The Mid-Autumn Festival offers both locals and visitors an immersive experience of Singapore’s rich traditions and customs, made even more meaningful as we celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday. We warmly invite everyone to participate in the various activities across Chinatown and soak up the festive spirit.”

Centrepiece – A Radiant Precinct United in Celebration

At the heart of the festival stands a striking 8-metre-tall centrepiece – a sculptural tribute to SG60, proudly showcasing the number 60, flanked by iconic Mid-Autumn symbols and national motifs. Encircling the structure are rabbits, mooncakes, traditional lanterns and vibrant orchids, all set against the backdrop of the Singapore skyline. Together, they create a vivid tableau that celebrates both cultural heritage and modern pride. More than just a decorative display, this towering installation symbolises Singapore’s remarkable journey and the spirit of perseverance that continues to shine across generations.

This year, Chinatown Point’s facade extends the visual narrative of the centrepiece. As part of the precinct-wide festivities, the building will feature an additional installation, displaying the letters “SG” to complement the “60” installation, completing the SG60 tribute.

This collaboration between the Chinatown Festival Committee and Chinatown Point deepens community ties and reinforces the collective spirit that defines the festival in Singapore.

Overhangs

Along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street, visitors will walk beneath a vibrant overhang featuring lotus flowers, fans with rabbits, jade pendants and a full moon, each symbol carefully chosen to represent harmony, beauty and reunion. At Upper Cross Street, glowing moon palace, mooncakes, orchids and lanterns echo the familial joy associated with Mid-Autumn gatherings. South Bridge Road offers a majestic scene with Chang’e (嫦娥) surrounded by peonies, mountains, Chinese fans and poetic calligraphy panels that express well wishes for peace and prosperity.

As the lights come on, New Bridge Road (新桥路), Eu Tong Sen Street (余东旋街), South Bridge Road (桥南路), and Upper Cross Street (克罗士街上段) will transform into a radiant trail of colours and storytelling. Each road carries its own set of thematic displays, designed to reflect the festival’s blend of mythology, nature and national pride.

Dividers 1, 2 and 3

Each of the three dividers encapsulate the essence of Singapore’s story in a beautifully structured way. From the hands-on resilience of its pioneers to the vibrant memories of childhood, and finally to the dynamic, forward-looking city it is today, they weave together a narrative of growth, unity and innovation.

岁月辛勤，人间美满 (Enduring Legacy)

The first divider is deeply anchored in the spirit of hard work and perseverance. By showcasing scenes of construction and bricklaying, it highlights the foundational efforts of the people who helped shape Singapore from its humble beginnings into the thriving nation it is today. The stories of sacrifice and resilience provide a profound backdrop to the journey that continues today, where every brick laid was a symbol of hope for a brighter future.

回忆童年，喜迎未来 (From Memories to Tomorrow)

The second divider brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia, representing the memories of growing up in Singapore, with iconic elements like the watermelon playground and dragon slides. These familiar symbols serve as touchstones for the shared experiences of many Singaporeans. But this divider also moves beyond nostalgia, signalling the evolution of the nation – how childhood memories of the past laid the groundwork for the future. It emphasises the importance of education, community and how these experiences continue to inspire future generations.

活力狮城，光耀世界 (A Vibrant Lion City)

Finally, the third divider brings the story to the present and beyond, celebrating the dynamic, global, and progressive nature of modern Singapore. The illuminated cityscape is not just a representation of economic success, but also of the vibrant, connected community that drives it forward. It captures the pulse of the nation – a metropolis with an eye on the future yet rooted in shared aspirations.

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A Season of Shared Moments and Meaning

Amid the glow of lanterns and the shimmer of light, the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 opens its arms to the community through a thoughtfully curated series of programmes that celebrate connection, creativity and tradition.

From 7 September to 6 October, the iconic Chinatown Festive Fair (中秋市集) will return to People’s Park Square (珍珠广场), where a charming mix of handcrafted lanterns, traditional delicacies and artisanal treasures await. This marketplace brims with nostalgia and festive joy, inviting visitors to take their time, linger over old favourites and discover new memories with family and friends.

Creativity will blossom on 14 September at the Lantern Design Competition (灯笼设计比赛), where young talents and passionate artists reimagine Mid-Autumn traditions in contemporary forms. Their illuminated works will be exhibited at Kreta Ayer Square (牛车水广场), which will light up the space for the vibrant celebration.

This year’s festivities are further elevated by the introduction of the Mid-Autumn 2025 Commemorative Layered Stamps (中秋2025纪念叠色印章), a unique activity launching on 18 September. Designed to engage both residents and tourists, this interactive experience invites participants to embark on a tactile journey through five iconic locations in Chinatown. At each stop, visitors can stamp a coloured layer onto a specially designed postcard. As the layers build, they create a vibrant, layered print – an artistic miniature of the iconic SG60 installation. More than just a keepsake, this commemorative activity fosters a deeper connection to tradition. Participants who complete the journey are encouraged to send their finished postcards to loved ones, sharing messages of harmony, peace, and heartfelt wishes in celebration of the season.

For those looking for a moment of tranquillity, the Tea Appreciation Gathering (品茶会) on 20 September offers the perfect opportunity to pause and reflect. In this gathering, the art of tea serves as a gentle reminder of the values that define the Mid-Autumn festival – harmony, hospitality, and the warmth of togetherness.

On 27 September, the precinct will come alive with laughter, lanterns and a gentle sense of wonder during the Mass Lantern Walk and Performances (灯谜与舞台表演). Beginning at Chinatown Point and ending at Kreta Ayer Square, participants will join a glowing river of light as they stroll through the evening streets with lanterns in hand. As they gather at the Square, live performances will round off the experience with song, dance and celebration beneath the stars.

The spirit of joy and celebration continues with the return of Lantern Riddle and Performances (灯谜与舞台) on 4 October, a vibrant night where wit and whimsy come together in perfect harmony. This unique event invites guests to engage their minds by solving traditional lantern riddles, each one holding a playful challenge and a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Mid-Autumn traditions. As the night unfolds, the atmosphere comes alive with a dynamic line-up of performances that breathe new life into Mid-Autumn folklore.

In keeping with the festival’s dedication to meaningful celebration and sustainability, the Lantern Adoption Programme (认领灯笼) will once again invite members of the public to adopt a lantern. From 13 to 20 October, participants may register to adopt lanterns from the light-up displays. Successful applicants will be notified by 27 October.

The Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations 2025 run from 7 September to 20 October 2025. To view the full festival programme, please visit here.

Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 Programme Highlights

Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 6 October this year. Remember to check out our list of Best Mooncakes and Best Bak Kwa in Singapore 2025.

Looking for what to do during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Read Mid Autumn Festival 2025.

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