The Mid-Autumn Show “Paris under the Moon of Nankin” is staged in the garden of the Centre culturel de Chine à Paris, on Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg, in the 7th arrondissement, on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Admission is free, but limited to online reservations only. The venue is already known for its free exhibition 10,000 Years of Gustatory Journey, running until 10 November 2026 in the same building. This time, the central courtyard becomes the stage, just steps from the Esplanade des Invalides and the Pont Alexandre-III.
The evening is co-organized by the China Cultural Centre in Paris and the City of Nanjing’s Bureau of Culture and Tourism. Organizers highlighted two throughlines: the family reunions unique to the Mid-Autumn Festival and Sino-French exchanges. And at the center, of course, the moon, the emblematic symbol of traditional Chinese culture.
The show draws on the repertoire of the Nanjing Arts Primary School and its troupe, “Little Red Flower,” enhanced by Parisian artistic resources. Young Chinese and French artists share the stage, with deliberate bridges to French music. Here’s what to look forward to:
The culture of Jiangnan, the southern segment of the Yangtze where Nanjing stands as a major city, provides the backdrop. Think gardens, poetry, and court music—a refined aesthetic rarely seen on a Parisian stage. The spotlight shines on the youngest talents, giving the evening a festive, end-of-year vibe, but with a nod to grand tradition.
The central courtyard also hosts cultural experiences tied to the festival, from moon-gazing to sampling mooncakes. These famous mooncakes, dense and generously filled, are traditionally shared within the family. If you’re tempted to bring some home, we’ve gathered our top picks for mooncakes in Paris.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is observed on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the full moon is at its most resplendent. In 2026, it falls on Friday, September 25. In China, a three-day holiday kicks off, from Friday to Sunday, a period of much-anticipated family reunions.
The Parisian show thus sets the stage for the next day, right in the heart of this festive weekend. A delightful calendar coincidence: the pleine lune des Moissons will light up the Île-de-France sky this Saturday, September 26, 2026. If the clouds cooperate, a garden-side viewing promises a memorable moment.
Bookings are strictly online through the Centre culturel de Chine à Paris website, which redirects to a dedicated ticketing page. No email or comment will secure a seat, the organizer is unequivocal on this. They also urge you to book only the seats you actually need and to cancel in advance if plans change, so others can snap up the tickets.
On the big day, arrive about thirty minutes before showtime, which is set for 7:00 PM. If you're more than fifteen minutes late, entry isn’t guaranteed. Access is by presenting an individual QR code, either on paper or on a screen. And if your reservation can no longer be found, that means the evening is sold out: a waiting list automatically kicks in as soon as seats become available. The China Cultural Center is located on Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg, accessible via Metro line 8.
This evening speaks first to those curious about Chinese culture, to anyone who wants to understand what the Mid-Autumn Festival covers beyond the pastries. Families will also find plenty to enjoy, with a show steered by young artists and a duration well suited to a Saturday night. Fans of traditional music will appreciate the Chinese instruments and the bridges drawn toward the French repertoire.
A note of caution: the show takes place outdoors, in the garden. As September turns to cooler evenings, bring a jacket. With limited seating and free admission, reservations go fast, so don’t wait too long.
Want to keep the party going? France’s only traditional Chinese garden opens its paths by lantern light on the same evening: here’s the full story on the Moon Festival 2026 at Jardin Yili in the Yvelines, featuring storytelling, a tea ceremony, and music.
On the culinary front, Paris’ 13th arrondissement remains the beating heart of the celebration, with Rice Market, the street-food hotspot of the Moon Festival, and its dozens of Asian specialties. To understand the origins of this ancient tradition, we also explain where the Moon Festival comes from and what it signifies.
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