The Mid-autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is called the Mid-autumn Festival because the 15th day is the middle of a month, and the eighth lunar month is in the middle of autumn.

The full moon is considered a symbol of reunion, in some parts of the world its also known as the Reunion Festival. Shaped round like the full moon, mooncakes signify reunion. Therefor, the Mid-autumn Festival is associated with the moon and “moon appreciation”, particularly because the moon is often at its brightest during this time. The festival also coincides with the end of the autumn harvest,

While there are many tales connected with the Mid-autumn Festival, we started this event in the OMI in 2022. Every year more people come, every year we add something new, and every yearit just keeps getting better! In 2024, we celebrated with traditional Guzheng Music performed by the SF Guzheng Music Society. We served tea, “mochi muffins” and “snowy bites” from OMI’s Blue House Cafe and OMI’s East West Confections shared their delicious mooncakes with a contemporary twist! San Francisco’s Museum of Craft and Design made paper lanterns with children and our Oceanview SFPL had a toddler story time and gave away books for all ages!

We are busy planning for our 4th Annual OMI Mid Autumn Festival on Saturday October 4th 2025! Sponsorships and donations are welcome. WE ARE OMI/Friends of the OMI Mini Parks is a volunteer led neighborhood group. We fund raise and apply for grants to host community clean ups and events for the OMI community! Contact us if you would like to be a part of this special community celebration!

*This information is not intended to be a historical text on the subject.