中秋节 / 中秋節 (Zhōng qiū jié / Mid-Autumn Festival, Moon Festival) is a major holiday celebrated in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. This post has 17 Mid-Autumn Festival videos on YouTube about the historical origins, Chinese songs / poems / stories, and how to make moon cakes!
Table of Contents
When is 中秋节 / 中秋節 (Mid-Autumn Festival, Moon Festival) in 2019?
This year, the date of 中秋节/ 中秋節 (Mid-Autumn Festival) is Friday, September 13, 2019.
Annually, the holiday falls on the 8th month and 15th day of the Chinese lunar calendar when the moon is full and bright.
What is 中秋节 / 中秋節 (Mid-Autumn Festival, Moon Festival)?
中秋节 / 中秋節 Mid Autumn Festival is a popular holiday celebrated in Asia.
In China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, families gather together to eat moon cakes, enjoy the bright full moon, decorate with lanterns, and read the story of 后羿 (Hòu Yì) and 嫦娥 (Cháng’é).
More ways to learn about Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
- Playdough Mooncakes – Mid-Autumn Festival Activity with Recipe!
- 15 Mid-Autumn Festival Books in Chinese and English!
- How to Make Easy Chinese Paper Lanterns In 1 Minute! (Free Template)
Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Videos
These videos are organized by language:
- 5 videos are in English
- 8 are in Mandarin Chinese
- 3 are in Cantonese
- 1 is in Hakka
Although many of the videos overlap, I like to hear different people explain the Chinese cultural tradition.
Listening to various narrators is also important for exposure to various native Chinese speaking styles.
If possible, watch the Mid-Autumn Festival videos on a desktop computer or iPad for the best experience.
Mid-Autumn Festival Videos in English
1. All you need to know about Mid-Autumn Festival: Chang’e, mooncakes and the Fire Dragon Dance
From: South China Morning Post
This video from a Hong Kong news source introduces the origins of Mid-Autumn Festival, an annual tradition for Chinese families and communities to come together and feast to give thanks for the harvest of crops following the summer.
- Spoken language: English
- Subtitles: English
2. A Mid-Autumn Festival Legend
From: EveryChusDay
This cute child from Singapore explains the Mid-Autumn Festival and why we celebrate the holiday with moon cakes!
- Spoken language: English
- Subtitles: English
3. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Video | An introduction
From: GB Times
This European news source gives an overview of Chinese cultural traditions, including family gatherings with fruit and moon cake pastries.
- Spoken language: English, some Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: Simplified Chinese
4.《静夜思》李白 (唐诗) Thoughts on a Tranquil Night – Tang Poem by Li Bai
This famous Chinese poem is often shared on Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Li Bai used 4 lines of 5 Chinese characters to describe his nostalgia for home during Mid Autumn Festival.
- Spoken language: English & Mandarin Chinese (famous Tang poem is explained in English)
- Subtitles: Simplified Chinese, Hanyu Pinyin, and English
5. Mid-Autumn Festival Vegan Mooncakes – Lotus Paste & Redbean! 中秋節莲蓉月餅
From: East Meets Kitchen YouTube Channel
Traditionally, moon cakes include duck egg and other high-calorie ingredients. However, chef Christina has a vegan (eg, egg-free, dairy-free) rendition of this popular Chinese pastry!
- Spoken language: English
- Subtitles: N/A
Mid-Autumn Festival Videos in Mandarin Chinese
1. Chinese Holidays – Mid-Autumn Festival – 中秋节
From: Chineseclass101.com
This Chinese teacher shows how to pronounce important vocabulary for Mid-Autumn Festival in Mandarin.
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin, English
2. Taoshu & Friends – Mid Autumn festival
From: Peach Blossom Media YouTube Channel
Taoshu is a popular Singaporean Chinese cartoon.
This particular video incorporates real video footage of families celebrating Mid Autumn Moon Festival.
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: Some simplified Chinese
3. 月亮代表我的心 Moon Represents My Heart – Teresa Teng
From: YoYo Chinese
Teacher Yangyang Cheng does a wonderful job teaching the famous Teresa Teng, including the lyrics and its meaning.
4. 月圆圆中秋祝福 Chinese Moon Song
From: Star Media Channel
These 3 ladies sing a song about the round, full, bright moon in Mandarin Chinese.
The lyrics are as follows:
月圆圆欢庆中秋节
月亮照亮着每家的庭院
烛光点亮每个心愿
祝福你幸福快乐每一天
月圆圆欢庆中秋节
月饼香香的心里也甜甜
灯笼唤起童年喜悦
快乐月圆中秋节
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: N/A
5. 月亮圓圓 Chinese Moon Song
This lightly animated cartoon features a Chinese song about the round full moon.
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
6. 庆中秋 (儿歌) Mid-Autumn Festival Chinese Nursery Rhyme
This short video features another Mid-Autumn Festival song in Mandarin Chinese. The lyrics are as follows:
中秋夜，月儿明
游园会上同欢庆
提灯笼，吃月饼
团圆之夜好心情
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: No captions
7. Chinese Tang Poem Quiet Night Thoughts 静夜思 李白 中文唐诗 Pinyin Chinese characters
From: Wen Junior
This famous Chinese Tang Poem by 李白 (Lǐ bái) is narrated by a Mandarin Chinese teacher. The lyrics are as follows:
床前明月光,
疑是地上霜.
举头望明月,
低头思故乡.
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin
8. 教你做奶黄拉丝月饼 Cream yellow brushed moon cake recipe
Chef Tinrry shows us how to make traditional Chinese moon cakes.
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: Simplified Chinese
9. 蛋黄莲蓉月饼 Mooncake recipe, Cantonese style
From: Chef Amanda Tastes
Chef Amanda Tastes demonstrates how to create Cantonese style moon cakes.
- Spoken language: Mandarin Chinese
- Subtitles: Some simplified Chinese; English available
Mid-Autumn Festival Videos in Cantonese
1. 中秋節 – Mid-Autumn Festival
From: Daudingism
A Cantonese-American mother describes and shares authentic photographs of how people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Spoken language: Cantonese
- Subtitles: traditional Chinese and English
2. 中秋節 – Mid- Autumn Festival Cantonese story read aloud
From: Cantonese Mommy’s YouTube Channel
A Cantonese-American mother reads a story about Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Spoken language: Cantonese
- Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
3. 中秋節月餅 – Mid Autumn Festival Cantonese Recipe Video
From: TVB USA
This popular media outlet shows us how to make delicious moon cakes in Cantonese.
- Spoken language: Cantonese
- Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
Mid-Autumn Festival Video in Hakka
1. 月光光 客家童謠 – Mid-Autumn Festival Chinese Music Cartoon
Hakka speaking families can enjoy this Chinese song about the full moon during Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!
- Spoken language: Hakka
- Subtitles: Traditional Chinese
I hope these videos are helpful for learning about 中秋节 (Mid-Autumn Festival)!
What are your favorite ways to teach children about Mid-Autumn Festival?
Please share in the comments below!
We love hear how other families and schools celebrate Chinese culture!
More Chinese learning resources for kids
To learn about other holidays in Chinese, check out these fun, hands-on activities!
For more educational videos, check out our recommended Chinese YouTube channels.
HOW TO RAISE MULTILINGUAL CHILDREN
- Teach Your Child a Second Language at Home with 5 Key Steps
- Raising Multilingual Children as a Non-Fluent Parent: 7 Lessons Learned
- 20+ Ways to Get Your Child to Speak Chinese
- How to Find a Language Teacher for Your Child
- How I Taught My Child 1000+ Chinese Characters as a Non-Fluent Speaker
Leave a Reply