Lights, lanterns, legends

SG60 adds to glow of Mid-Autumn festivities

- Chin Soo Fang

Shimmering lights and dazzling lanterns have lit up Chinatown in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Oct 6.

Across Singapore, colourful displays featuring familiar motifs like rabbits and the full moon have been set up to mark the festival with some carrying commemorative hints of the nation's 60th birthday.

The Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 celebrations, with the theme "60 Glorious Years: Celebrating Mid-Autumn in Singapore", run from Sept 7 to Oct 20.

Speaking at the official street light-up and opening ceremony at Kreta Ayer Square on Sept 18, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said: "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."

The displays include a striking 8m-tall centrepiece with the number 60 flanked by rabbits, mooncakes and orchids against a backdrop of the Singapore skyline.

In New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street, visitors can stroll beneath a vibrant overhang featuring lotus flowers, jade pendants, fans with rabbits and a full moon.

In Upper Cross Street, a glowing moon palace welcomes visitors, while South Bridge Road features the mythical moon goddess Chang'e, surrounded by peonies, mountains and poetic calligraphy panels.

At People's Park Square, traditional delicacies and handicrafts are on sale until Oct 6.

The Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 celebrations are organised by the Chinatown Festival Committee and supported by the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens' Consultative Committee.

LIGHTING UP SINGAPORE'S TRANSFORMATION

Gardens by the Bay's Mid-Autumn Festival will commemorate SG60 by charting Singapore's journey from a fishing village to metropolis.