The Moon Festival, celebrated in China as a homage to the bright mid-autumn harvest moon and the end of the summer growing season, is a time for reflection and thanksgiving, but it's also a time to celebrate -- and no one does it better than Los Angeles' own Chinatown. The 72nd Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 25, from 5 p.m. to midnight and promises to be an evening full of magic and wonder for Angelinos of all ages.
Complimentary moon cake samples will be handed out following a Moon Cake making demonstration by Chinatown's world renowned Phoenix Bakery. A ping pong tournament will take place in West Plaza, moderated by an MC, will attract pros and novices alike looking to try their hand in one of China's most revered sports for a shot at great prizes.
This festival will also delight the foodie in everyone as some of Chinatown's best chefs demonstrate their culinary prowess with our large outdoor kitchen -- cooking demo attendees get to sample the food after each dish is made. In addition, some of LA's most popular food trucks will roll into Chinatown and many Chinatown restaurants will be open and offering specials for dining guests.
This free community festival, presented by the Los Angeles Chinatown Business Improvement District and the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, offers event-goers a chance to see some of the best Chinese cultural performers in the country, from Shaolin Warriors performing martial arts, to acrobatic contortionists to a troupe of roaming Lion Dancers.
Held in Chinatown's Central and West Plaza, the festival organizers plan to utilize every nook and alley in this historical space and activate it with activities, dancing, demos, art, dining and shopping. In the center of Central Plaza, a large outdoor dance floor will dominate the square where KCRW's Anthony Valadez and several guest DJs will rock the crowd all evening long.