This autumn, Chinatown 808 will light up Honolulu’s Chinatown with the return of the organization’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival and Parade presented by Hawaii National Bank Foundation. The cultural event, also known as the Moon Festival, celebrates the end of the harvest season. This year’s all-day celebration will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Participants can look forward to an assortment of food and craft vendors, keiki activities, free entertainment, live bunnies, LEGO
displays, and more, while taking in the beauty of the full moon and other celestial objects
through telescopes after dark.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally held on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar with a full moon at night. Families and friends typically gather together to admire the moon, share mooncakes and exchange wishes and greetings for good fortune. “We’re excited to continue to spotlight and celebrate Chinatown’s unique businesses and culture with the return of our popular Mid-Autumn Festival, on October 4,” said Leonard Kam, president of Chinatown 808.

This year’s celebration offers a full schedule of activities including:
● 12:00pm - 12:30pm: Highlands Middle School Drama Club
● 12:30pm - 1:00pm: Miss Chinatown Hawaii
● 3:00pm - 3:45pm: Sing Yung Dragon and Lion Dance Association
● 4:00pm - 4:45pm: Royal Hawaiian Band
● 6:00pm - 6:45pm: Gee Yung Chinese Martial Arts Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association
● 7:00pm - 7:45pm: Hawaii Lion Dance Association
● 8:00pm - 8:45pm: Chinese Lion Dance Association
● 9:00pm - 9:45pm: Yeung Dak Physical Cultural Association

There will also be a lantern parade, where participants are encouraged to dress up in Chinese cultural costumes and bring their own homemade lanterns. The parade will start at the Hawaii National Bank Main Branch, with check-in beginning at 5:30pm, and the parade starting at 6:30pm. Participants will walk from the Hawaii National Bank King St. Branch up Maunakea Street towards Sun Yat-sen Mall. Please note that event organizers will inspect lanterns at check-in and reserve the right to deny participation if necessary. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up online at https://chinatown808.com/honolulu-mid-autumn-festival/ by clicking the “Parade Participation” button and completing the Google Form.

“The Mid-Autumn Festival is an incredible community-driven celebration of Chinatown’s rich cultural and historical heritage that Hawaii National Bank Foundation is pleased to support. The festival offers something for everyone with a full day of performances, food and activities,” said Bryan Luke, President and CEO of Hawaii National Bank. In addition, festival-goers can participate in the Lantern-Making Contest, where participants of all ages can design and craft their own lanterns to be displayed during the parade. Winners will be judged for creativity & originality, use of recyclable materials, and craftsmanship & presentation. Complete contest rules and details are available on the Chinatown 808 website, or scan the QR code at the festival for on-site registration. This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival features an exciting lineup of more than 25 vendors
offering a diverse range of products and flavors to enjoy.
The following vendors are currently scheduled to participate:
● Bing Bros. / Yomie’s Drink
● Blue Truck Teppanyaki
● Chillex Pops LLC
● Fryer Em Up
● Guian LLC
● Hawaii QQ Market LLC
● Hawaiian Cane Juice
● Hawaiian Honey Cones
● Honolulu Kapahulu Moiliili Lions Club
● Hott Potstickers
● Jrs Jamaican Jerk
● Judy Shop
● LaoWaiian Style Creations
● Legend Seafood Restaurant
● Local Poke Bowl LLC
● Meme's Craft
● Oh's Kitchen
● Olay’s Thai Lao Express
● SHE-ROCKS
● Sugah Daddeh’s Kane Juice
● TA⋅MA⋅DA⋅ SWEETS LLC
● Teapresso Bar
● Thai Lao Restaurant
● The OldTaku LLC
● Treasures by Lokomai
● United Chinese Society of Hawaii
● Yu Zhen Zhong / Carrie Say

A special mahalo to this year’s presenting sponsor, Hawaii National Bank Foundation, a long-time supporter of local community events. Chinatown 808 is a local volunteer-run nonprofit that works to support Honolulu’s Chinatown businesses and community. For more information, visit www.chinatown808.com/ or follow
Chinatown 808 on Facebook and Instagram.