SINGAPORE, 12 September 2025: As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 returns with a vibrant celebration of light, heritage and community spirit.
Until 20 October, Singapore’s Chinatown district will transform into a festive precinct filled with handcrafted displays, community activities and cultural programmes that showcase our rich multiculturalism and Chinese traditions.
The Official Street Light-Up and Opening Ceremony will take place on 18 September 2025 at 1800 at Kreta Ayer Square.
Organised by the Chinatown Festival Committee and supported by the Kreta Ayer–Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee, this year’s edition reflects Singapore’s progress over the decades, while inviting people of all races and backgrounds to share in the joy of tradition, storytelling and togetherness.
This year’s celebration’s theme, aptly named ’60 Glorious Years: Celebrating Mid-Autumn in Singapore’, brings together cherished traditions from across Singapore’s diverse communities in a festival that honours our multicultural heritage while looking towards the future. Against the backdrop of descriptive lanterns and moonlight, the celebration serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, unity, and kinship that have carried the nation forward.
Official street light-up and opening ceremony on 18 September
Digital Development and Information, Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation Group and Adviser to Jalan Besar GRC GROs (Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng), Josephine Teo, will officiate the ceremony.
The minister commented: “This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival takes on special significance as we celebrate both tradition and our nation’s 60th birthday. It is heartening to see Chinatown’s streets lit with joy and meaning and to witness how our rich multiculturalism continues to connect people of all races in Singapore. I hope this celebration brings families, friends, neighbours and visitors together in appreciation of where we’ve come from and where we are headed.”
Singapore Tourism Board Director, Leisure Events Guo Teyi added: “The Mid-Autumn Festival offers both locals and visitors an immersive experience of Singapore’s rich traditions and customs, made even more meaningful as we celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday. We warmly invite everyone to participate in the various activities across Chinatown and soak up the festive spirit.”
Centrepiece of the celebration
At the heart of the festival is a striking 8-metre-tall centrepiece showcasing the number 60, flanked by rabbits, mooncakes, orchids and lanterns against the Singapore skyline. More than decoration, the installation is a tribute to resilience and progress. Chinatown Point’s façade complements the display with an “SG” installation, completing the SG60 tribute and reinforcing community ties.
Overhangs and light displays
New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street will feature a canopy of lotus flowers, fans with rabbits, jade pendants and a golden full moon, each symbol representing harmony, beauty and reunion. At Upper Cross Street, glowing moon palaces, mooncakes, orchids and golden lanterns echo the familial joy of Mid-Autumn. South Bridge Road offers a scene with Chang’e (嫦娥) rising above rooftops, surrounded by peonies, mountains, and fans.
Stories of Singapore and festivities
Three illuminated dividers will tell Singapore’s story.
Enduring Legacy: Pioneer resilience and nation-building.
From Memories to Tomorrow: Childhood icons like the dragon playground, alongside themes of education and community.
A Vibrant Lion City: Today’s dynamic metropolis rooted in shared aspirations.
Festivities extend beyond the light-up
Chinatown Festive Fair (7 September – 6 October): Handcrafted lanterns, delicacies and artisanal treasures at People’s Park Square.
Lantern Design Competition (14 September): Youth and artists reimagine Mid-Autumn traditions, with works displayed at Kreta Ayer Square.
Commemorative Layered Stamps (18 September launch): Visitors collect stamps at five locations to create postcards inspired by the SG60 installation.
Tea Appreciation Gathering (20 September): A reflective moment centred on harmony and hospitality.
Mass Lantern Walk & Performances (27 September): A glowing procession from Chinatown Point to Kreta Ayer Square, ending with live performances.
Lantern Riddle & Performances (4 October): An evening rooted in Mid-Autumn traditions.
Lantern Adoption Programme (13–20 Oct): The Public may adopt lanterns after the displays, promoting sustainability.
Festival Dates
The Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations 2025 end on the evening of 20 October.
To view the complete festival programme, visit chinatownfestivals.sg.
