📅 holiday

Mid-Autumn Festival

Friday, September 25, 2026

— days to go

Mid-Autumn Festival, also called “Moon Festival”, is celebrated in Taiwan and elsewhere in East Asia to mark the fall harvest and, to some, to offer traditional worship to the moon. In 2026, Mid Autumn Festival falls on Friday 25 September. The holiday will be on Wednesday 15 September in 2027. It comes on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Han Chinese calendar and falls on the full moon of either September or October on the Western calendar. Ethnic Chinese have been observing this holiday since at least the 10th Century B.C., and it has been extremely popular since the Tang Dynasty of the 7th through 10th Centuries A.D. Today, it is a day of joining together to feast and fellowship with family and friends, as much as a time when farmers give thanks at local temples for the recent harvest. Many also go to temples to pray for specific requests, such as to marry one’s desired partner, to give birth to a child, or to live a long, prosperous life. There are many ancient myths and fables connected to Mid-Autumn Festival. These are often told to young children this time of year, but adults “are allowed to” listen in too if they wish. You may hear about the sun and moon being married and the stars being their children, about the full moon being pregnant and the crescent moon having shrunk after giving birth. You will easily encounter the legend of Chang’e, but it’s hard to say which version, for there are many. One version has Chang’e the wife of a cruel emperor who is planning to drink a magic elixir that will make him live forever. To prevent everlasting oppression, she drinks the elixir herself and then flies off to become the moon goddess. Unlike China, Taiwan is not known for paper lantern displays during Mid-Autumn Festival, these being mostly put out on the 15th day of Chinese New Year, but travellers will still find much to do, such as the following: If in Taiwan during Mid-Autumn Festival, you will find there are many enjoyable events to participate in that will help you better understand Taiwanese culture.

History

Mid-Autumn Festival, also called “Moon Festival”, is celebrated in Taiwan and elsewhere in East Asia to mark the fall harvest and, to some, to offer traditional worship to the moon. Ethnic Chinese have been observing this holiday since at least the 10th Century B. , and it has been extremely popular since the Tang Dynasty of the 7th through 10th Centuries A. These are often told to young children this time of year, but adults “are allowed to” listen in too if they wish. To prevent everlasting op

How It's Celebrated

Other Years

2024 Sun to Tue

15 Sep to 17 Sep

2024 Tue

17 Sep

2025 Mon

6 Oct

2027 Wed

15 Sep

2027 Wed to Fri

15 Sep to 17 Sep

2028 Tue

3 Oct

Countries

🇹🇼 TW 🇨🇳 CN

Dates by country (2026)

🇨🇳 China 25 Sep
🇹🇼 Taiwan 25 Sep

View all →

📅 holiday Dec 26

2nd Day of Christmas

The people of the Netherlands do not just celebrate Christmas on December 25. Christmas celebrations here begin on December 5, the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. The saint was a bishop in the fourth century. One story about him claims he inherited money from his wealthy parents and used his wealth to help the poor. One legend tells how he helped a needy family. The three young girls in the family were unable to get married because their parents were too poor to provide dowries. St. Nicholas heard of their misfortune and dropped a bag of gold down their chimney to pay for the girls’ dowries. St. Nicholas’ generosity is commemorated in the Netherlands today. He is known as Sinterklaas, and he is credited with giving presents to children on December 5. Sinterklaas lives in Spain, and he arrives in Amsterdam by boat on December 5. He rides a white horse in a parade through the streets. Children put carrots and hay for the horse in their shoes. They leave their shoes near a fireplace or on a windowsill. Sinterklaas leaves presents in their shoes. December 5 is also a night for parties to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Children receive presents from Sinterklaas at these parties. Other activities at the parties include games and treasure hunts. Biscuits made with marzipan or cinnamon are served for refreshments. The Netherlands’ Christmas celebration continues through the month of December. Houses are decorated with evergreens. People put up trees in their homes decorated with candles, bells and ribbons. Trees are put up in the city squares and decorated. Streets are adorned with strings of lights shaped like stars or bells. Food stalls in the streets sell seasonal sweet treats such as oliebollen and appelflappen. Oliebollen are similar to donuts, and appelflappen are apple beignets. People can hear Christmas music played in the streets. Red and green decorations are used in department stores. Children receive most of their presents during the celebrations of St. Nicholas Day, so Christmas Day is usually spent enjoying the company of family and eating. Children might hang up stockings and receive a few more presents. Some people attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas. Christmas Day may begin with a brunch of smoked salmon and fancy rolls. The last meal of the day is a dinner that may include pork, goose or game meats. Special dishes served for these meals include kerststol for brunch and gourmetten for dinner. Kerststol is a loaf with fruits. Gourmetten is made by placing a small grill on the table. People can grill small pieces of meat and vegetables. The day ends with people gathering around the fireplace to sing carols and tell stories. This day is known as First Christmas Day in the Netherlands. December 26 is Second Christmas Day. People dine on leftovers or go out to eat. They may attend concerts. If the weather permits, they might spend time in an outdoor activity such as ice skating.

NL AW SX +15

📅 holiday Apr 27

Abolition Day

The island of Réunion celebrates Abolition Day on 20 December each year. This holiday commemorates the day in 1848 when slavery was made illegal in the colony of Réunion by the French colonial government. In 2026, Abolition Day falls on Sunday 20 December. The holiday will be on Monday 20 December in 2027. Ever since Réunion was taken by France in 1642, it had become a major trade stop en route to India and the East Indies. It soon also became the site of many coffee plantations, and slaves were brought in to work those plantations. Although some came from Africa, China, and India under better terms than slavery, all non-European inhabitants were made slaves in 1690. When slavery was ended on the island in 1848, it created a labour shortage, which then led to indentured servants immigrating from other lands. This further increased the ethnic diversity of an island already quite diverse. Today, all citizens of Réunion look back to abolition as a key moment in the country’s history, and there are many cultural celebrations held all over the island on Abolition Day.

RE MQ GF +2

📅 holiday Nov 1

All Saints' Day

All Saints’ Day is a holiday in New Caledonia every 1 November. On this day, Christian believers remember known and unknown saints of past centuries. All Saints’ Day is a significant occasion on the traditional Christian calendar, and is observed by millions of Christians around the world. In 2026, All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday 1 November. The holiday will be on Monday 1 November in 2027. About half the population of New Caledonia are Roman Catholics, while most of the rest of Protestants. The Protestants are largely Evangelical and generally they do not significantly celebrate All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day is a somewhat low-key holiday in New Caledonia. But people often do get the day off work, and they will typically attend special mass services. Many also take the time to decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers and to pray for and think of their deceased relatives.

NC MQ HT +42

📅 holiday Nov 2

All Saints' Day Holiday

All Saints’ Day is a holiday in Burundi every 1 November. On this day, Christian believers remember known and unknown saints of past centuries. All Saints’ Day is a significant occasion on the traditional Christian calendar, and is observed by millions of Christians around the world. In 2026, All Saints' Day falls on Sunday 1 November. The holiday will be on Monday 1 November in 2027. Around two-thirds of Burundians are Roman Catholic, and most of the rest are Anglican or affiliated with another Protestant denomination. That means that the large majority of Burundi’s population celebrates All Saints’ Day, which is also a public holiday. The first day of November has been a Catholic feast day for centuries, having been set aside as a day to honour Christian saints and martyrs who lacked their own separate feast day by Pope Gregory IV in A.D. 837. German, Belgian, and English influences ultimately brought these traditions to Burundi during the 1800’s and 1900’s. Special church services are held on All Saints’ Day, during which the Beatitudes are traditionally read. Many also leave flowers on the graves of deceased relatives or light candles in their windows.

BI CO BF +4