News Release - Harvest Moon Celebration to be Held Oct. 3

More than 30 local restaurants will offer Asian-inspired cuisine, and music will include a special performance by an ensemble from China

SAN MARINO, Calif.—Guests can experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of a traditional Chinese festival on Tuesday, Oct. 3, during the annual Harvest Moon Celebration at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. The event takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in and around The Huntington's beautiful Chinese Garden, Liu Fang Yuan 流芳園, the Garden of Flowing Fragrance.

In China and many parts of Asia, celebrating the mid-autumn moon at harvest time is a centuries-old tradition. It is an occasion to gather with family and friends, eat sweet moon cakes, and celebrate the abundance of life. The full moon represents wholeness and reunion, bringing loved ones together symbolically even when they are apart.

Live music will be performed lakeside in the garden's Clear and Transcendent pavilion. One of the evening's highlights will be an appearance by the Traditional Chinese Musical Ensemble of the Tianjin Song and Dance Theatre, which is traveling from China for the event. UCLA's Music of China Ensemble and the Spring Thunder Chinese Music Association will also be featured.

Advance tickets are required. Guests who purchase a VIP ticket can enjoy early entry to the event at 5:30 p.m. VIP: $148. Members: $88. Non-Members: $98. Children age 4–12: $25. Children under 4: Free. Tickets: www.huntington.org/harvestmoon.

The Harvest Moon Festival is sponsored by CTBC Bank and Hainan Airlines. Special thanks to Cultural Consul Jin Gu and Jin Wang of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Los Angeles for their support of this event.