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The Autumn Moon Festival fills Chinatown streets with food, music, dance and more
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Some describe it as Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day rolled into one. The Autumn Moon Festival, a celebration of the fall season's bountiful harvest during which lovers are urged to come out together into the glow of the full moon, dates back to China's Song Dynasty of 1,000 years ago. On Sunday, Sept. 26, the festival made its first official debut in Lower Manhattan's Chinatown, kicking off two weeks of fun- and food-filled events to delight all who visit the downtown neighborhood.
Sunday's day-long celebration included a lively street festival filled with cultural performances of dance, music, and martial arts, as well as a beautiful lantern parade through the community's brightly colored, busy streets. But the fun has just begun, especially if you're hungry…
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| Events will be taking place all throughout Chinatown |
For this week and next, you'll find terrific deals at more than 40 area restaurants as part of the Autumn Moon Festival Feast, a restaurant promotion that includes three- to five-course meals at the hard-to-beat prices of $8.88 for lunch and $18.88 for dinner.
The culinary delights don't stop there. On Saturday, October 2, don't miss the first-ever "Taste of Chinatown," when restaurants, bakeries, and tea houses at Chinatown's center will take to the streets, setting up tasting tables and offering delicious sampling plates for just $1 each. The tasting fest is organized by Explore Chinatown, a tourism campaign to benefit Chinatown funded by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the September 11th Fund, and NYC & Company.
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| Mooncakes are a popular treat during the festival and can be found at most local bakeries |
For many long familiar with the celebration of the Autumn Moon, fall is always a time to head to Chinatown for moon cakes -- small, round tasty pastries that are always sold at this time of the year. As in years past, you'll find the shelves of local shops stacked high with them, just ready to be snapped up.
And for when you need a break from all the eating, check out the Autumn Moon Soccer Festival. On Sunday, October 3, a day-long series of soccer tournaments will feature teen, junior, and adult celebrations.
Traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, the official Autumn Moon Festival falls this year on Tuesday, Sept. 28. But with celebrations lasting for a full two weeks, there's absolutely no excuse to miss out. Head for Chinatown today!
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