Autumn Moon Festival

Date: 9÷20÷2015 Time: 2:15 PM 77° Sunny
This weekend was the Autumn Moon Festival in San Francisco Chinatown, which was presented by the Chinatown Merchants Association. Location of the event spanned on Grant Avenue (dew bond gai) from California Street to about Broadway.
Typical of festivals that it was hot (weather wise) and it was crowded. There were the long lines for the freebies offered by KTSF/​Channel 26 TV Station and KFC/​Taco Bell. Both booths had spin the wheel and win something. I won a creepy looking miniature Colonel Harlan Saunders pin. One of the employees asked what I wanted for a prize. Answer: a black tote bag. She was nice and went ahead gave me one. Other employees were giving me sheets of coupons for their food specials. I did not stand in line for what the TV station was offering on their spin the wheel game.
The vendors in the booths were selling a variety of merchandise — Chinese dvd’s, packaged food items, costume jewelry, toys, novelty items, straw hats, etc. One booth even had a promotion on the sale of the mooncakes– buy a box, get a box of mini mooncake for free. The price was $ 18.00.
Other highlights: Lion dance troupe, and the lions were purple and gold. Banners and lanterns strung overhead. A College Fund Street Band provided some entertainment. (I saw this group of youngsters performed last year at the Art ‘n Soul Festival on Park Street in Alameda.) A couple in beautiful traditional Chinese garb.
Drawback: Grant Avenue is narrow and parking is very difficult. Use of public transportation is suggested. Wear sturdy walking shoes.
Return trip to this event next year? Might/​might not. To each his/​her own on this annual event in San Francisco Chinatown.

My first time attending the Autumn Moon Festival. It was crowded, it was like a flea market filled with a lot of moon cakes, it was not what I expected it to be. It was not a cultural event since there is nothing cultural about lottery, casino, banking booths scattered throughout the festival ground. The moon cakes were quite expensive, some cost over $ 30.00 for a box of four moon cakes. I wish I could sample all of the different types of mooncake but since they were pricey, I only stick to what I know.
The dragon (?) dance was beautiful and that was the highlight of the festival and I wish it would last longer. This dance is the reason why I rate this event a whole three stars, otherwise, it would be a solid one star and I have no plan to return.

September 2014 — Nothing special. Very crowded. It’s just like a swap meet. Probably wouldn’t go again.

This is my first year attending the 2012 Autumn Moon Festival. I actually had high expectations considering that it is in one of the biggest Chinatown in the nation. Much to my dismay, they offered most of the same goods as they did at the Oakland Chinatown Street Fair with the usual miniature windmills, chinese dvd and vcd movies, packaged ramen, moon cakes, vitasoy with their assorted drinks, belts and sunglasses, and other random goods. Come on people, this is a Moon Festival! Where were the frills? Luckily, they did have some dragon dance performances and people dressed up from what looks like the Ming Dynasty. There were many free raffles and prizes given away. Of course, this is only possible after standing in a extremely long lines which snakes around several corners and extends down the street a couple blocks down filled with the elderly for a Coca-​cola cup, free packages of ramen, and mesh bags perfect for the 10 cent plastic bag levy. On the bright side, I came here and got what I wanted. My durian mooncake! For $ 8 each and $ 27 for a whole box of four. One was enough. Mission accomplished!

It’s hot, it’s cramped, and it’s sort of smelly, but it’s tradition. You can buy a whole bunch of moon cakes, noodles, and other random food. Just be sure you wear a sturdy pair of shoes and breezy clothing. Same every year.

(See pics) Review #1262. Mid Autumn Festival is my absolute favourite festival with the mooncakes, starfruit, lovely lanterns in the park, the tragic mythical story. In the darkest night shines the brightest moon, celebrating, in Chinese language, when people reunite like a circle as round as the full moon.
I come visit the festival event, usually a week before the actual Mid Autumn day, every year to enjoy the fun filled strolling on the most traditional and usually more touristy Grant Avenue. The blocked off streets were packed with small tables /​tents with inexpensive goodies and I got my colourful «glass paper» rabbit lantern for only 3 dollars, add 50 cents for a glowing stick if you want kids to play with safety in mind instead of traditional candles. I even got some amazing Chinese music DVDs for 4 bucks each.
A few establishments were also doing spinner raffles for reusable grocery bags, pens, water bottles, while others were offering sample food bites and drinks. All accompanied with live music and some acrobat demonstrations on stage.
Every year during this time, we have the most attractive sun-​kissing-​shoulders weather to make this street fair so much more enjoyable.
Stay until 5pm and there will be dragon parade, something not as traditional as in Hong Kong the tradition is to have kids carrying the lighted lanterns strolling in the park in the evening. Nevertheless, this street fair brings so much nostalgia, close to my heart, a childhood that I treasure so much.

Yes, it’s crowded… it’s a festival!
But is this the only festival in SF without the alcohol vendors, overzealous testosterone driven morons and violence that plague other street fairs?
New this year was Durian Moon Cake!
Mmmm yummy OR Holy god WTF is that smell?! Take your pick! Overpriced at $ 25/​box of 4… it tasted fine and was really SMELLY (or aromatic)!
Also, we always get a plant, orchid or flowers.
Had some truck vendors this year… hope that continues with future years.

First time being here and loved it.
Chinatown is usually very busy on a typical day and when you add a festival there, well it’s crowded, but not in a bad way! Tasty food, lovely outfits and performances, tons of vendors, sampling, etc. Chinatown is always fun to go and this makes it even better.
Surprisingly, parking was not an issue as I parked in the usual underground parking across from the Tower. There was no parking on the first level, but 2^nd level was about 75% open.
If you haven’t been to one or to Chinatown, I’d say you should at least go to see what is has to offer. :D

We attended the 21^st annual autumn moon festival in Chinatown yesterday. Listened and danced to music by a local homegrown band; walked thru the dense crowds on Grant Av.; and bought some discounted Koi Palace made moon cakes from a vendor.
It was nice to enjoy one of the many diverse festivals celebrating heritage events in the City.

Fairly disappointing festival. I always take Chinatown with a grain of salt and sometimes find some intersting shops or sites. Therfore, I was expecting something a little more out of this event. The booths were nothing more than more of the same that can be found in the shops and restaurants along Grant. Some of the booths were downright insulting, like Chase bank trying to get me to sign up for an account. Really? At a cultural celebration. The elbowing throngs moving at a snail’s pace didn’t really get my anymore stoked to spend more time there than necessary.
Unless you feel the need to buy more cheap Chinatown trinkets, listen to mediocre music and get pushed and jostled endlessly, skip it next year.

One of the summer neighborhood festivals in San Francisco. This one is in Chinatown. It takes place in mid September and features Chinese Dancing, Lion Dancing, Dragon Dancing, Cultural Performances, street vendors, food and more. This festival is located mainly on Grant Ave, from California St. to Columbus Ave.

Since most of the other festivals listed on Unilocal aren’t separated by year… this one shouldn’t be either.
One thing I can say about this festival is that it is consistent. What do I mean by that? Every time I come to this festival, no matter the year, I’d rate it the same.
Grant Avenue is cramped and crowed on any day. Having a festival here? Well, you can imagine. It’s tight, but I’m accustomed to crowded festivals. What I dislike most about this one is that the vendors that set up booths sell and advertise items we can easily get on any other day in Chinatown. I guess I expect to see new things when I attend festivals… or see things that aren’t normally sold in that neighborhood. And the booths with games and freebies… LOL! Have you ever tried to get on a bus on Stockton Street and get pushed aside and damn near trampled over by the OG Asians bum-​rushing the bus? If you’re Asian and was raised under the Power of Elder Seniority, then you know, you really can’t say anything to those OGs. Now, imagine that force and anxiousness bombarding the freebie booths… and they’re not even giving away anything worth a damn! Just logo-​happy pens, bags, cheap lead-​filled toys, paper fans, all that junk. Is it really that serious?!