Some of us may remember playing with lanterns and candles during the Mid-Autumn festivals each year when we were younger. It was such fun to play with the lanterns. As kids, the meaning behind the festival did not bother us much.

But now that we are older and much wiser, it is time to revisit our cultural roots and understand the festival as it is. From September 6 – September 11, head down to the Esplanade to experience to range of festivities and traditional Chinese arts that are made enjoyable for all.

From witty dialogue in Hundred Years of Crosstalk and well-known Chinese literary classic The Thunderstorm presented in traditional Huangmei Opera style, to lively handcrafted puppetry performance Dragon Dance and interactive parent-child diabolo and Chinese opera workshops, audiences will be able to learn more about the beauty of Chinese language, traditions and culture.

To add to the celebratory mood, there is also a whole host of free performances catered to all. These include Cantonese opera excerpts, wushu display, Chinese ensemble music, lantern riddles as well as the festival’s beloved annual lantern walkabout.

Highlights include Festive Treasures, a colourful display of Chinese cultural dance, percussion music and wushu by SOTA Chinese Chamber and Percussion Ensemble, Eunos CC Chinese Cultural Dance Troupe and Wufang Singapore; Fun with Chinese Riddles by Riddle Association; Enchanting Chinese Folk Songs by Coco Xian Hong; Roving Stilt Walkers by Wenyang Sports Association; Traditional Teochew Music by Thau Yong Amateur Musical Association, as well as Favourite Songs from Chinese Movies and TV Drama Serials by TCR Music Station and the group 2308 from Music Dreamer Live! Café.

The annual Moonfest lantern walkabout will take place on 10 September and members of the public are encouraged to gather at the Esplanade Forecourt by 7.30pm. A dragon dance troupe will lead the half-hour trail and participants can bring their lanterns and walk along the Esplanade Waterfront under the moonlight.

Tickets for Moonfest 2011 are available now from Esplanade’s Box Office (Tel: +65 6828 8377), the SISTIC Hotline (Tel: +65 6348 5555) and outlets, and Esplanade’s website at www.esplanade.com. More information may also be found at www.moonfest.com.sg.