The Moon Festival Sept 20-21: The Hudson Valle’s Largest Asian Food and Culture Festival!
- Hudson Valley Happenings
- Sep 14
- 3 min read
Every fall, when the harvest moon rises high and the nights start to cool, millions gather around the world to honor one of Asia’s oldest and most cherished traditions: the Mid-Autumn Festival. On September 20–21, 2025, at New Century in Orange County, NY transforms into a cultural wonderland for the 10th Annual Moon Festival — a celebration of food, music, dance, and community that’s unlike anything else in the Hudson Valley.
This isn’t just an event. It’s a living story. It’s tradition and modern joy woven together beneath glowing lanterns. It’s a weekend where you’ll not only taste, see, and hear something extraordinary, but feel it in your heart.
✨ The Meaning Behind the Festival
The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, has been celebrated across Asia for over 3,000 years. It’s a time to give thanks for the harvest, honor family and community, and marvel at the beauty of the moon — a symbol of peace, reunion, and renewal.
Legend tells of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, who sacrificed herself for love and now resides on the moon. During the festival, families light lanterns to guide her way and share mooncakes, sweet pastries filled with meaning, to celebrate harmony and togetherness.
In the Hudson Valley, this ancient story comes alive — reimagined for a modern audience but always rooted in the deep traditions that have carried it across centuries.
🥟 What You’ll Experience
Over two full days, the Moon Festival fills Orange County in The Hudson Valley with color, sound, and flavor. Here’s what makes it unforgettable:
Authentic Asian Street Food – Noodles, dumplings, skewers, bubble tea, and mooncakes — a culinary passport across China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and beyond.
Cultural Performances – Lion and dragon dances that shake the ground with energy, classical Chinese dance, Thai royal performances, Mongolian bowl balancing, and music on traditional instruments like the pipa and erhu.
Lantern Displays – As the sun sets, lanterns glow across the festival grounds, filling the night with magic and warmth.
Family Fun – DIY lantern-making, kids’ crafts, an inflatable playground, and even a photo booth where you can try on Tang Dynasty clothing.
Immersive Experiences – Visit the Tang Village, watch tea ceremonies, meet cultural ambassadors, and yes — even say hello to Chang’e herself.
🎶 Why It’s Special
More than 15,000 people attended last year, and this year promises to be even bigger. What makes this festival so magnetic is how it brings people together. Families, foodies, culture lovers, and curious travelers all share in the experience — no matter their background. It’s a chance to see the world in one place, to celebrate diversity while honoring tradition, and to create memories that glow as bright as the lanterns themselves.
The Moon Festival reminds us that culture isn’t something distant or foreign — it’s something that connects us, delights us, and makes us richer when shared.
🌕 Plan Your Visit
📍 Location:
New Century, 517 Neversink Dr,
Port Jervis, NY
📅 Dates:
September 20–21, 2025
💸 Admission:
FREE | Parking: $5
VIP Moon Tickets available
(includes premium perks, hand-painted conical hat, tote, and more)
This event is open to all, with something for every age and every interest. Whether you’re coming for the food, the music, the family fun, or simply to be swept up in the beauty of it all, you’ll walk away feeling part of something larger than yourself.
✨ Don’t Miss the Glow
The Moon Festival is more than a weekend outing — it’s a cultural journey, a feast for the senses, and a reminder of the magic we can find when we come together. Don’t just hear about it later. Be there. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your appetite, and let yourself be swept up in the glow of the moon.
🌙 This is your invitation to one of the Hudson Valley’s most extraordinary celebrations. Will you be there when the lanterns rise?
Never Stop Exploring!
HVH TEAM
