Under the full moon’s glow, the Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) invites both reverence and indulgence. As I explored in my earlier blog “Mid-Autumn Festival: A Celestial Celebration,” the legends of Chang’e and the tradition of mooncakes connect us to centuries of harvest, family reunions, and marveling at the moon. In 2025, that spirit is alive—and tastier than ever—through mooncake tasting events popping up across the U.S.
The Moon Festival has always been a celebration of light, love, and unity. For generations, families have gathered to share stories, sip tea, and admire the brilliance of the moon as a symbol of harmony. Yet in recent years, this ancient tradition has taken on a modern twist. Across cities from California to New York, communities are reimagining how to celebrate—through the joy of tasting and sharing mooncakes in all their creative forms.
Why Mooncake Tasting Is the New Festival Trend
Mooncakes have long symbolized reunion and gratitude under the full moon. Traditionally filled with lotus paste or red bean and often encasing a salted egg yolk, they represent wholeness and family unity. But today, mooncake tasting events across the U.S. are transforming this time-honored treat into a full-fledged culinary experience.
At these tastings, you’ll find the familiar golden crusts side by side with snow skin mooncakes—chewy, glutinous rice–based creations served chilled. They come in both classic and modern flavors, from Lotus Paste Mooncakes with salted egg yolk to rich Black Sesame Lava and indulgent Chocolate Peanut Butter mooncakes. Each bite offers a contrast of texture and taste, inviting both nostalgia and discovery.
What makes these events so captivating isn’t just the variety—it’s the experience itself. Guests sample different fillings, share their reactions, and snap cross-section photos that show off glossy yolks and pastel interiors. Whether you’re tasting for tradition or trend, these gatherings turn cultural appreciation into something social, sensory, and delightfully shareable.
For those feeling inspired to bring the festival home, the RJ Legend 8.5oz Mini Dutch Oven offers a creative way to make your own mooncakes in small batches. Its even heat retention helps achieve that perfect golden crust and molten center. Beyond the festival, it’s a charming kitchen piece for baking, gifting, or sharing homemade treats that celebrate togetherness under the full moon.
California: Where Tradition Meets Creativity
California leads the U.S. in Moon Festival celebrations, blending rich cultural history with an inventive food scene. San Francisco’s Chinatown bursts with color and sound each year as thousands gather to watch lion dances, admire lantern displays, and savor mooncakes from local favorites like Golden Gate Bakery and Eastern Bakery. Visitors line up for hours to try limited-edition flavors that blend the familiar with the unexpected—like pandan coconut or mixed nuts with dried fruits.
In Los Angeles, the celebration takes on an innovative flair that mirrors the city’s culinary diversity. Pop-up mooncake tastings appear in neighborhoods like Little Tokyo and Monterey Park, where artisans showcase handmade snow skin mooncakes in dreamy pastel tones. Some boutique patisseries even reinterpret mooncakes as plated desserts, pairing molten chocolate fillings with edible gold dust or fruit gels. It’s the perfect scene for anyone who loves to taste, post, and share—the festival reimagined for the social age.
New York: East Coast Elegance and Cultural Buzz
Across the country, New York’s Moon Festival brings sophistication and excitement to the table. Flushing, Queens, becomes a mooncake paradise in September, where bakeries like Fay Da and Taipan Bakery tempt visitors with boxes of fragrant, glossy pastries stacked high behind glass counters. Between the bustling crowds, street vendors, and festive lights, it’s a sensory overload in the best way possible—a true taste of the city’s multicultural energy.
Meanwhile, Manhattan offers more curated experiences. The China Institute’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival gathering invites guests to taste mooncakes paired with aromatic teas while learning about the history of Chang’e, Hou Yi, and the moon’s symbolism in Chinese folklore. Brooklyn, ever the creative hub, hosts community tastings and dessert pop-ups that blend art, music, and food into one cohesive celebration. Each borough offers a different flavor of connection—elegant, spontaneous, and distinctly New York.
Texas: Southern Hospitality Meets Asian Flavor
Texas may not have the oldest mooncake traditions, but it’s quickly becoming one of the most vibrant places to celebrate. Houston’s Chinatown brims with energy during the Mid-Autumn season, offering fusion-style mooncakes that reflect local creativity—pecan lotus paste, coffee cream, and even chili caramel make appearances at tastings. The blend of Southern warmth and Asian flair gives every event a welcoming, community feel.
In Dallas–Fort Worth, the Grand Prairie Asia Times Square festival transforms the weekend into a spectacular cultural showcase. Between lantern displays, dance performances, and night markets, visitors can taste mooncakes from both established bakeries and local startups experimenting with flavor. The result is a joyful, family-friendly event that captures the heart of what the Moon Festival is all about: sharing, connecting, and celebrating under one luminous moon.
Washington: A Pacific Northwest Flavor Journey
Further north, the Pacific Northwest brings its own quiet charm to the festivities. Seattle’s mooncake tastings are cozy and artisanal, often held in teahouses or community centers surrounded by the scent of freshly brewed oolong. Local bakers highlight regional ingredients—berries, honey, and organic matcha—for a lighter, modern touch. Bellevue and Redmond also host small-scale cultural events where visitors can learn about the symbolism of mooncakes while sampling both traditional and contemporary varieties.
In true Pacific Northwest style, there’s a focus on craftsmanship and sustainability. Many bakers emphasize handmade doughs, local sourcing, and balanced sweetness—a reflection of how global traditions adapt gracefully to local values.
A Celebration Shared Under One Moon
From California’s creative patisseries to New York’s elegant tastings and Texas’s lively night markets, mooncake tasting events are transforming the way people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival across America. Each event tells a story of cultural pride, culinary artistry, and community connection—inviting everyone, whether seasoned celebrant or curious foodie, to experience the moon in their own way.
As the full moon rises tonight, casting its soft glow over cities and homes across the country, it carries the same message that has echoed for generations: reunion, reflection, and gratitude. Whether you’re biting into your first snow skin mooncake or discovering a new favorite bakery with friends, you’re part of a living tradition that transcends borders. Under the same moon that inspired Chang’e’s timeless legend, we celebrate not just the beauty of the night sky—but the shared joy of tasting, gathering, and belonging.
CLICK TO PURCHASE (8.5oz Mini Pots Set):
CLICK TO PURCHASE (1.9 Qt Dutch Oven):
