Mid-Autumn Moon Celebration enchants the Huntington’s expanded Chinese Garden

The Huntington used the recently expanded Chinese Garden to its fullest extent to create an enchanted setting for last weekend’s Mid-Autumn Moon Celebration. There was a packed line before entry at 6:30 p.m., funneling entrants through the newest section of the garden, the Medicinal Garden, with glowing moon seats.

From there, we walked to the main courtyard, which featured the Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra and a mini market with local artisans and vendors, as well as a lava mooncake stall.

At the back of the pavilion with the mooncakes, a lit and inflated moon was moored — ensuring that festivalgoers would be guaranteed a full moon. On both sides of the lake, tables with tea lights and paper lanterns offered visitors the chance to adorn them with drawings, wishes or anything they fancied before passing them off to be released into the lake.

The Saltando Strings quartet were located next to the Freshwater Pavilion, serenading the small courtyard next to refreshments.

Chinese folk music played in the Penjing Garden, abutting the main food area for the festival, which hosted three food trucks and table vendor.

The family-friendly event provided a beautiful and tranquil evening event for all, with live performances, food and local vendors to celebrate the autumn festival.