As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Hunan has prepared a "culture, tourism, and sports" gift package for residents and visitors alike, ranging from intangible cultural heritage operas to immersive performances, and from scenic spot discounts to museum exhibitions. With activities spanning 13 cities and one autonomous prefecture, please save this guide and plan your trip accordingly.

Changsha

The "Subtle Grandeur : Blanc de Chine" Special Exhibition of Dehua Porcelain from Fujian. (Photo provided by Changsha Museum)

Changsha's major cultural and museum venues and art spaces have transformed into holiday cultural living rooms, with fine exhibitions appearing one after another. Hunan Museum's special exhibition "Gods of Angkor: Treasures from the Khmer Empire" gathers over 150 precious artifacts from six cultural and museum institutions in China and Cambodia, unlocking the code of a thousand-year civilization. Changsha Museum presents two exhibitions simultaneously - "Subtle Grandeur : Blanc de Chine" Special Exhibition of Dehua Porcelain from Fujian that reviews the Maritime Silk Road, and "Awaken the Future—Treasures and Suspended Sculptures of Xiaoxitian Temple," which uses AI restoration and a vast VR space to enable residents to immerse themselves in China's suspended sculptures. Li Zijian Art Museum's first International Watercolor Carnival brings together artists from six continents, with 600 works painting a colorful world. Xie Zilong Photography Museum presents an exhibition featuring Xie Zilong's photographic works from the "horse" series and the public art exhibition "Sleep Well". Changsha Museum of Art's "Hu Zigui Calligraphy Art Exhibition" fully displays the spirit of brush and ink. MICA Art Museum's commemorative art exhibition themed "All the Bright Stars — Le Petit Prince" is deeply loved by families with children.  

The drama titled "Changsha." (Photo/Li Jian)

The performing arts stage is full of immersive productions. They include the stage play "Seeking Changsha," the new version of "Liu Hai Cuts Firewood," the immersive performance "Twilight River Dance of Snowflakes," and the drama "Changsha" at Houhu Theater Wharf, which tell the stories of Changsha. Meixi Lake International Culture and Arts Center Grand Theater presents the mime show "Slava's Snow Show" and the drama "Inter Alia" and other quality works. Mid-Autumn Festival-themed concerts will be staged. There will be a Mid-Autumn Festival-themed folk music concert at the Azalea Theater, the Songya Lake concert, and the Houhu lakeside concert, as well as a Mid-Autumn Festival-themed concert and "The Sound Never Ends" music classic songs concert at the Changsha Concert Hall. Public welfare performances will be staged in scenic spots and business districts, delivering wonderful arts to the people.

Changsha Tongguan Kiln China-chic Theme Park. (Photo/Zhang Chun)

Visitors can tour the Star City's sights by day and join the bustle of street life by night. Changsha will launch a series of thematic activities. Changsha Tongguan Kiln China-chic Theme Park will offer a lantern festival, alongside ancient moon worship rituals, a floating market, and the performance of molten iron fireworks, an intangible cultural heritage item. Tanhe Ancient Town will launch a carnival to showcase fire stunt effects and bronze culture. Jinggang Ancient Town's "Joyful Tour of Lujiang Charm - Fireworks Night in Jinggang" will light up the water town, unfolding a Jiangnan night tour scroll. The Yanghu Wetland Park's lantern fair will bring a spectacular night tour feast to visitors.

Hengyang

Cailun Bamboo Sea Tourist Area. (Photo/Guo Liliang)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival period, Leiyang's Cailun Bamboo Sea Tourist Area will offer half-price tickets and launch activities such as mine cave treasure hunting, intangible cultural heritage papermaking, and starry-sky camping. Changning's Yinshan Scenic Area, Tiantang Mountain, and Tashan Grand Canyon will offer ticket discounts, and visitors wearing Hanfu or singing folk songs can enjoy free admission. Shigu Academy features bookplate stamping, children's poetry recitations, and calligraphy exhibitions, suitable for family visits. Nanyueli will host a themed event celebrating the traditional festival, with a mooncake rolling contest and China-chic performances. Hengdong County's Huaqili presents a large-scale chrysanthemum exhibition combined with Sichuan opera face-changing and interactive parades.

On September 25, the Hong Kong music golden hits concert "Golden Years, Love of My Life" will be staged at the Hengyang Poly Grand Theater. Changning City's Banqiao Town will hold a lotus lantern festival. Hengyang Museum will host a lantern riddle guessing event.

Zhuzhou

Zhuzhou Fantawild. (Photo/Xu Xing)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Zhuzhou Fantawild Dreamland will launch the Qiantang Fireworks Night event. The Song-era Qiantang night market will glow as brightly as day with interactive fun featuring ancient-style characters and ancient banknotes. A stunning visual feast will be presented through the upgraded storyline about the Flaming Mountain, combining the thousand-year-old molten iron fireworks performance with the mythology of Journey to the West. Moreover, a dazzling drone show featuring 1,000 drones will be held to highlight the moon-chasing legend of astronauts and Chang'e across time and space.

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Shennong Park will host the "Lusong Morning Moon" 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Garden Party, along with a lawn concert and an intangible heritage market. Upon entering the park, visitors will find themselves in an immersive, ancient-style corridor lined with gauze curtains, where they can interact with characters in traditional costumes, check in at photo spots, and enjoy flash mob dance performances in the traditional Chinese style. As night falls, a dazzling molten iron fireworks performance will burst into life on the water, while shadow puppet shows and traditional opera performances will take the stage in succession. A lawn concert and a traditional Chinese-style fashion show will be held, inviting all to share a Chinese-style Mid-Autumn celebration under the moonlight. 

Xiangtan

At 19:00 on September 23, the 2026 Xiangtan City "Our Festival - Mid-Autumn Festival" cultural event, themed "Full Moon Welcomes Mid-Autumn: Virtue and Goodness Passed Down Through Every Home," is scheduled to take place at the cultural square of Xiangdian Park in Xiashesi Neighborhood, Yuetang District, Xiangtan City. The event features dragon dances, children's choir performances, folk custom lectures, and other wonderful programs, as well as Mid-Autumn knowledge award-winning quiz, allowing residents to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture. Hands-on activities featuring intangible cultural heritage representative projects such as paper cutting, lacquer fans, and lantern making will be organized, along with traditional games like lantern riddle guessing, pitch-pot, and hoop rolling, as well as stamp collection for prize redemption and Hanfu photo check-ins. Additionally, 18 welfare services including free haircuts and health consultations are arranged for the public.

Yaowan. (Photo provided by the correspondent)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Xiangtan's Yaowan old street invites visitors to immerse themselves in traditional China-chic Mid-Autumn celebrations. From 15:00 to 20:30 on September 25, a fun garden tour activity will be held at Tanbao Teahouse, featuring fun games such as chuiwan (an ancient Chinese ball sport resembling modern-day golf), Mid-Autumn poem recitation, and mooncake grabbing. From 19:00 to 19:20, a moon worship blessing ceremony will be held at Tanbao Bus Station. From 19:45 to 20:00, a Hanfu moonlit parade along the old street will take place in the Yaowan Block. From 19:30 to 20:30, a giant mooncake free tasting event will be held at Tanbao Teahouse for a warm reunion night. At 19:00 on September 26, a special intangible cultural heritage performance celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival will be staged at Tanbao Bus Station, inviting visitors to enjoy traditional programs and feel the charm of the traditional festival.

From September 25 to 26, a starry bonfire celebration will be held at the Manhu Campground, featuring a lawn music festival, a bonfire party, adorable pets, and light and music fountain, unlocking the exclusive romance of autumn.

Shaoyang

Yunshan Mountain National Forest Park. (Photo/Li Jian)

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yunshan Mountain National Forest Park will launch the "Full Moon atop the Clouds - Blessings Gather at Yunshan" event. At 18:30, a giant mooncake with braised meat filling, measuring 2.28 meters will make its debut, and visitors are invited to share it. From 19:00 to 19:30, ancient-style "fairies" will dance under the moon, with their wide sleeves fluttering. From 18:30 to 21:00, visitors can take photos with the "fairies," interact with the "Jade Rabbit" to guess lantern riddles and win prizes, or tie blessing ribbons, entrusting their wishes to the autumn breeze of Yunshan Mountain.

Every evening from 19:00 to 21:00 between September 24 and 27, Wugang's Xizhi Street will present a China-chic night tour event, along with the Dance of the Twelve Flower Goddesses and Nuo dance performances, as well as shadow dances, Hanfu flash mobs, intangible cultural heritage silk string performances, fish lantern dances, and performances by two bands. On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, flower goddesses will carry lanterns on parade, interacting with visitors for photos and blessings. The site also features a variety of experiential activities including lucky dice, sachet making, lantern riddle guessing contests, and poetry interactions, inviting residents to immerse themselves in the romantic charm of the traditional festival.

On September 25, the Baishuidong Scenic Area Visitor Center will host the "Full Moon Over Baishuidong, Celebrating Mid-Autumn Together" event. At the event, nine large mooncakes will be served in the patterns of Chinese characters meaning "Full Moon over Baishuidong, Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival Together," weighing a total of 100 jin (1 jin equals to 0.5 kg). The first 200 visitors who purchase a full-price admission ticket to the scenic area will receive a special mooncake gift. This offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Yueyang

Nanhu Square. (Photo/Li Jian)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the 2026 Asian School 3x3 Basketball Championship will take place at Nanhu Square. A total of 20 school teams from 10 countries and regions will go head-to-head. A Mid-Autumn cultural exchange event will also be held on September 27.

Quzi Cultural Park in Miluo. (Photo/Zhou Yang)

The "Our Festival: Mid-Autumn" Chinese-style Music Festival will take place at the main stage of the Dongting Fishing Fire Season. Featuring an innovative model of "Chinese-style music + traditional folk customs + fashionable performance," it will blend Mid-Autumn reunion with contemporary youth aesthetic tastes to create a gala-party music festival. The Chinese Giant Panda Garden in Yueyang will launch the National Treasure Cute Friends Event, featuring themed performances, a panda theater, and camping concerts. Nanhu Houlang Park will hold a "Beach Fun in Autumn" event. The Quzi Cultural Park will stage a Chu-style carnival, launching a series of garden tour tasks such as lantern riddles, interactive poetry with costumed characters, folk mini-games, and free mooncake tasting, to create a strong festive atmosphere. The Hebotan Cultural Tourism Resort will hold a "Sea of Chrysanthemum and Torch Garden Party" to unlock a romantic harvest season. The Yangsha Lake Tourist Attraction creates the "Island Elf Season," building daytime and nighttime play scenarios, and will hold diverse activities such as elf NPC interactions, themed parades, immersive markets, and forest-themed performances.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the "Full Moon and Splendid Attire" Chinese-style Music Festival and the "Ancient Street Charm, Yueyang Opera" themed show at Bianhe Street will be staged, leading visitors to wander through the moonlight on the ancient street. Besides, a fun run at Nanhu and a day-and-night tour at Hebotan will be organized, blending reunion and festive celebrations.

On the evening of September 27, the "Infinite X SUPERLIVE" Yueyang Station music festival will be held at the Yueyang Sports Center Stadium, presenting an audio-visual feast full of youthful energy.

Changde

At 19:00 on September 23, the Ding Ling Memorial Hall was scheduled to host the "Full Moon over Liucheng, Listening to Autumn Rhymes" Mid-Autumn Poetry and Music Gathering, featuring wonderful performances including the dance "Beautiful Women's Procession" and recitations of "Where Is My Hometown" and "Sing for the Motherland." A special "Mid-Autumn Poetry Quiz" segment was set up, where visitors who participated may win limited-edition cultural and creative merchandise. On September 26, the Ding Ling Memorial Hall will hold a "Fun Weekend" educational activity, where residents and visitors can make cloisonné enamel coasters and learn about the historical origins and craft characteristics of cloisonné enamel on site.

At 19:00 on September 23, the Flood Control Monument Square in the Poem Wall Scenic Area will host the "Poetry Nourishes Changde, Full Moon over the Poem Wall" third China (Changde Poem Wall) Poetry Recitation Concert. There will also be Feihualing (a traditional Chinese poetry game in which players take turns reciting poems containing a given character), a Mid-Autumn lantern riddle contest, rabbit lantern making, classic stele inscription rubbing, and an intangible cultural heritage food market.

Taohuayuan Scenic Area. (Photo/Yi Ang)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, visitors can experience a variety of activities including DIY snow skin mooncakes and sachet making at the Taohuayuan Scenic Area. Meanwhile, large-scale traditional classic plays, opera excerpts, Huangmei Opera selections, Huagu Opera performances, intangible cultural heritage displays, and stunt performances will also be staged for visitors, allowing them to fully experience the mystery and charm of Taohuayuan. Vision Land Happy World will hold the "Grand Carnival" event, creating a grand gathering that integrates immersive interactive experiences, fun competitive games, specialty food experiences, and atmospheric themed parades. The Changde Wildlife World will host the "Tortoise and Hare Race: Taking the Crown" fun carnival, blending traditional Mid-Autumn culture, interactions with animals, and lantern riddle guessing to create a unique "tortoise and hare race."

Liuye Lake. (Photo/Liao Shengtian)

Liuye Lake Tourist Resort has also prepared a cultural tourism feast. On the evening of September 24, the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival immersive ancient-style moon-viewing market will be held at the Datang Sima South Gate Square, with approximately 40 market stalls offering everything from intangible cultural heritage crafts, China-chic cultural and creative products, Mid-Autumn delicacies, and interactive games. There will also be traditional Chinese music flash mob performances, Hanfu parades, live poetry recitals, and moon-worshipping rituals. The Fishermen's Song Art Camp will hold the  "Changde Thousand Lanterns Festival"—one lake, a thousand lights, perfect for waterside lantern viewing. Hejie Street will host the Mid-Autumn Moon-worshiping Ceremony on September 25, restoring the traditional worshiping ritual. There will also be a "Full Moon in the Osmanthus Month, Blessings on the Street" Mid-Autumn themed night tour parade. On September 26, the "Full Moon over Yuanshui and Lishui, Gathering at Hejie" Mid-Autumn tea tasting and moon-admiring concert will be held, offering a dazzling array of activities.

Zhangjiajie

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, the "Eternal Love Carnival" will be held at the Zhangjiajie Romance Park. Upon entering the park, visitors can immerse themselves in the charm of western Hunan, with Tujia hand-waving dance, Miao folk songs, and Bai ethnic drum performances taking the stage one after another. The carnival will begin with the joyful Maogusi traditional dance, creating a lively atmosphere full of fun and interactions. Ethnic flash mob shows will heat up the stage as performers sing and dance. As night falls and the bonfire blazes, the "Fire and Moon Worshiping Ceremony" will pay homage to heaven and earth and pray for family reunion, featuring fire pot, fire stick, and fire knife stunts. Additionally, a group of "dinosaurs" will also appear, and there will be a clown bubble show. The Xiangdang Wild Campground will offer intangible cultural heritage handicraft experiences such as tie-dying, lacquer fans, and copperplate prints, suitable for families. Alongside these fun activities, the song and dance dining show "The Banquet of King Xiang" will be staged, offering visitors the chance to savor authentic local flavors while enjoying a spectacular performance.

Qixing Mountain Scenic Area. (Photo/Xiang Tao)

On September 27, the 9th Qixing Mountain Traditional Chinese Costume Culture Season will kick off. With traditional Chinese costume as a medium and the observation platform as the stage, the event will blend a parade featuring traditional Chinese costume, poetry-themed gatherings, and environmental initiatives, bringing an immersive celebration of traditional Chinese culture.

Every night at 19:50 from September 25 to 27, a drone light show will be performed along the Suoxi River in Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie. The show will incorporate classic Mid-Autumn Festival imagery such as reunion under the full moon, the jade rabbit and osmanthus shadows, and moonlight over peak forests. Set against the backdrop of a night sky framed by towering and lush peaks, it will be an atmospheric nighttime light-and-shadow show ideal for moon viewing.

Yiyang

Ming- and Qing-era Ancient Alley. (Photo/Li Jian)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Ming- and Qing-era Ancient Alley will hold four major themed activities for residents and visitors. Whether you are a cosplay enthusiast, a foodie, an opera fan, or an electronic music fanatic, you can find your own way to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival here. The fun never stops with events like the Mid-Autumn Festival Garden Party, the "Open a Blind Box and Eat It" Challenge, fun fuse bead crafting, lantern parades for blessing, the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, Huagu Opera performances, China-chin Electronic Music Festival, and the "Flying Apsaras" performance.

The Anhua Chaxiang Flower Sea Ecological Culture Experience Park will offer free admission. Visitors who share the relevant post from the park's WeChat official account for three consecutive days and collect the required number of "likes" can pick up free tickets at the park entrance.

Chenzhou

Gaoyiling Tourist Area. (Photo/Huang Jianhua)

From September 25 to 27, the Gaoyiling Tourist Area will launch a series of Mid-Autumn Festival themed activities, with a parade of performers dressed in special costumes, Hunan Kunqu Opera performances, and fun challenge competitions taking turns to create a festive atmosphere.

The third Yuhou Street Historical and Cultural Festival and Shopping Consumption Season will be held. On September 25, the grand opening ceremony featuring a horse-caravan procession will be held, with the Chuanying Trading House making its debut. Fun interactive activities such as merchants' finger-guessing game and touhu game, or pitch-pot, an ancient entertainment that requires players to throw arrows from a set distance into a pot will take place one after another, and a gong-ringing market opening ceremony will also help ignite the atmosphere on site. From September 25 to 27, the Chenjiang River molten iron fireworks night tour will dazzle visitors, featuring China-chic flash mob shows, and intangible cultural heritage acrobatics, street magic, balloon clowns, bubble shows, street crosstalk, and guzheng performances.

The Wugai Mountain International Forest Wellness Resort will launch  the "Bright Moon over Wugai Mountain, Lights Illuminate the Mountains and Rivers" themed event. During the day, visitors can experience sachet making, ancient-style lantern making, and round fan making, and participate in lantern riddle guessing and antiphonal poetry recitation. At night, the scenic area will stage a starry moonlight concert and a thousand-lantern night tour, featuring electronic sky lanterns, a thousand-person lantern parade, and lantern floating and blessing at Wugai Lake.

Yongzhou

Jiuyi Mountain-Emperor Shun's Mausoleum Scenic Area. (Photo by the correspondent)

The Emperor Shun's Mausoleum Scenic Area will launch Mid-Autumn Festival themed activities. On September 25, a traditional moon worship ceremony will be held on the scenic area's exclusive moon-viewing platform, fully restoring ancient rites such as burning incense, presenting offerings, reciting blessing texts, and making wishes to the moon. On September 26 and 27, the themed Guochao music concert will begin as scheduled. From September 25 to 27, the immersive special performance "Celestial Maiden Scattering Flowers" will be staged simultaneously, presenting a stunning Chinese-style visual feast with flying petals, light, and shadow. In addition, 20 sky lanterns will be distributed each day, and visitors can receive one for free by following the scenic area's official account.

From September 25 to 27, there will be fun garden tour activities at the Huaqiangu-Yuehu Scenic Area. The lakeside walking path will be hung with lantern riddles, and visitors can participate in riddle guessing with their tickets. Those who guess a lantern riddle correctly can exchange it for gifts such as lanterns, stickers, admission tickets, and themed headbands. Visitors checking in at the small train and go-karts spots to complete stamp collection challenges will have a chance to draw prizes such as homestay accommodations, go-kart experience vouchers, and free admission tickets. Interactive activities such as pitch-pot games and wish card blessings will be held on the lawn. Visitors who take videos with a location tag can also receive gifts. With a scenic area ticket, visitors can enjoy a 10% discount on purchases within the park.

Huaihua

On September 25, the Su Yu Memorial Museum in Huitong County will hold a red lantern DIY activity, a red Feihualing game, and a red-themed Perler Beads activity, suitable for all ages, where visitors can learn red knowledge while having hands-on fun. The Longzhou Square in Yuanling County will host the "Huaihua Has Songs" 2026 Village Songs Joint Super Concert Yuanling County sub-event. Based on Yuanling's local culture, the event will recruit contestants from across the county, cultivating local literary and artistic talent through village song performances, and creating a county-specific mass cultural IP. The Yuanling Dragon Boat Grandstand will host the opening ceremony cultural performance of the Yuanling traditional dragon boat race, creating a traditional cultural, spectacular‌, and appealing feast.  The Huaihua ASEAN Complex-Wanxiang Plaza will hold the "Full Moon over ASEAN - Joyful Mid-Autumn" Festival Music Night, using song performances, instrumental music, and interactive choruses to create a warm and lively reunion atmosphere.

Jingping Ancient Village. (Photo/Tian Wenguo)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jingping Ancient Village will launch a series of themed activities. The China-chic music, poetry gatherings, Mid-Autumn galas, and folk music nights will take turns on stage. The riverside market will be full of dazzling items. Xuefeng Mountain in Hongjiang will hold a "Mountain Forest Concert." On the vast lawn of Pingshantang, a concert singing from dusk until the bright moon hangs high is about to begin amid the forest sea, evening breeze, and twilight. As night falls, there will also be dragon-and-phoenix drone shows, garden parties, lantern riddle corridors, and pitch-pot games.

Loudi

Sanliandong Scenic Area. (Photo provided by the Loudi Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio, Television and Sports)

From September 5 to 27, the Sanliandong Scenic Area is offering a discounted ticket promotion for the public. After purchasing the main entrance ticket, visitors can enjoy a 30% discount on the Longji Peak ticket. Meanwhile, the scenic area has launched an exclusive family parent-child package for residents of Loudi. Within the scenic area, the thrilling high-altitude iron chain bridge and the beautiful canyon waterfalls complement each other. There are also fun activities such as cool water play and shouting fountains. The mountains are rich in negative oxygen ions, making them ideal for the whole family to stroll through the wilds and enjoy a leisurely vacation.

Chaxi Valley Scenic Area is implementing a 40% discount on tickets for the public. Visitors strolling along the 1,000-meter-long Chaxi plank road can admire the cascading waterfalls. Walking through the misty tea gardens, they will closely experience the cultural heritage of the tribute tea culture of Qujiang thin slices, and enjoy the fun of mountain leisure.

Xiangxi

Furong Town. (Photo/Li Jian)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Furong Town-Red Carbonate-Rock Stone Forest Resort will host the "Tide of the East" Top Ten Bands Mid-Autumn Advancement Show. On the waterfall stage, 21 outstanding bands will perform passionately, competing for the top ten spots. Welcome to Furong Town and listen to 21 musical pieces harmonizing with the cascading waterfall.

The Shenfeng Cultural Scenic Area on Nanhua Mountain will present a series of spectacular events. At the entrance, the highest Miao hospitality ceremony will be performed, with war drums, trumpet performances, and bamboo pole dances welcoming guests with lively festivity. Every night at 8:30 and 9:30, there will be wonderful performances at the Shenfeng Hall, featuring welcome drum music, a light show, an intangible cultural heritage Wunuo exorcism show, ritual ceremony, bridal sedan chair processions, and folk dances. The events will enable visitors to experience the rich and profound Miao cultural customs up close.

Chinese source: Voice of Hunan