What not to miss at Canberra Moon Festival 2025

Posted on 2 September, 2025

“One community, one world, one big family.”  When the full moon rises over our city this September, City Walk and Petrie Plaza will transform into something truly magical.

The Canberra Moon Festival returns from Friday 5 until Sunday 7 September, and after last year’s incredible turnout of 35,000 Canberrans, this year’s celebration promises to be even more spectacular.

It’s three days of cultural immersion that celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival tradition while showcasing the beautiful diversity that makes Canberra such a vibrant place to call home.

Whether you’re a longtime festival-goer or discovering this gem for the first time, here’s what absolutely cannot be missed.

Lanterns, LED moons and more

The giant LED moon and rabbit installations are back, and they’re guaranteed to be Instagram gold. These luminous sculptures aren’t just pretty to look at – they carry deep cultural significance, symbolising unity, renewal, and hope.

But the real magic happens along Lantern Street, where traditional lanterns create a stunning illuminated pathway through the festival grounds. The floral lantern structure is particularly breathtaking as dusk settles over the city – arrive early evening to catch that perfect golden hour glow that photographers dream about.

They had us at K-Pop (not to mention LED Dragon Dance and Parade)

Festival Director Suzana Li describes the event as “a bridge between cultures,” and the performance lineup truly delivers on that promise.

You’ll find everything from Jazz Funk Dance to Chinese Classical Music Performance, Bollywood Dancing workshops where audience participation is encouraged, and even Fire Dancing Shows that create dramatic focal points as the evening progresses.

The K-pop performances are always crowd-pleasers, with groups like K-pop Dance Mix bringing high-energy choreography that has audiences singing along. But don’t expect just mainstream hits – you’ll also catch Pipa Solo showcasing traditional Chinese string instruments, where the delicate melodies create those spine-tingling moments that make live music so special.

Indonesian Traditional Dance groups bring vibrant costumes and storytelling through movement, while Brazilian Dance performances inject infectious rhythm that’ll have you swaying despite yourself.

The LED Dragon Dance and Parade is particularly spectacular as evening falls – there’s something mesmerising about watching these illuminated creatures wind through the festival grounds.

For families, the Children’s Group Dance performances are pure joy to watch. These young performers bring such genuine enthusiasm to traditional and contemporary pieces, and there’s something heartwarming about seeing cultural traditions being passed to the next generation right here in our city.

Connecting cultural experiences

The hands-on workshops are where the festival really shines for curious Canberrans. The mooncake-making sessions will teach you the art behind these symbolic treats – and yes, you get to eat your creations. The cultural significance is beautiful: in Chinese tradition, the round shape represents completeness and family unity, making them perfect for sharing under the full moon.

For those drawn to more tactile arts, the mother-of-pearl inlay jewellery workshops offer a chance to learn Luodian, a traditional Chinese decorative technique that’s over 1000 years old. You’ll be working with thin pieces of mother-of-pearl to create intricate designs, and each piece you make is genuinely one of a kind.

The lacquer fan painting workshops introduce you to Daqi, an 8000-year-old Chinese art form where water becomes your paintbrush. There’s something meditative about this process – you’re literally painting with water to capture the spirit and charm of traditional designs. And lantern crafting? It’s perfect for families, where kids can learn about the ancient symbolism while creating something beautiful to take home.

Food that tells stories

With over 20 food stalls creating a street food extravaganza, this is where your weekend planning gets delicious. A peek at the festival map reveals everything from Grill-ax BBQ and Super Bao to authentic offerings from Little Wu Street Food and Mellabella Ice Cream.

Harmonie German Club brings European flavours into the mix, while stalls like Wonder Roti, Asian Street Eats, and Ni Kitchen showcase the incredible diversity of Asian cuisine that Canberra loves.

Don’t miss the specialty options either – Panda Crepes Tea offers that perfect Instagram-worthy treat, while vendors like Momos Taste of Tibet and Homemade Dumplings bring authentic regional flavours you might not find elsewhere in the city. For families, there’s familiar territory with Mr Puff and Wukong Street Food, plus sweet endings courtesy of Moon Cake vendors and Kusukusu Crepe & Waffle.

Pro tip: Come hungry and come with friends who are willing to share.

Mark your calendars, Canberrans. This is the kind of weekend that reminds you why you love living in this city.