Moon Festival's History
2021
The 2021 Dominion Rd Moon Festival (17 September - 19 September) was cancelled on 24 August 2021, due to the continuation of Level 4 restrictions in Auckland in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst the festival could not go on, the organisers extended the #JadeRabbitFriend drawing activity for children. Banners and lanterns were installed along Dominion Rd, in the spirit of the festival.
2020
The 2020 Dominion Rd Moon Festival (25 September - 4 October 2020) was celebrated along Eden Valley and Balmoral town centres. Due to Covid-19 pandemic and government restrictions, street activities were cancelled. In keeping with the spirit of the festival, Dominion Rd featured street decorations (flags and colourful lanterns), the Jade Rabbit Friend Art (posters) & Hunt and participating businesses ran special promotions during the ten-day celebration.
During the festival, visitors to Dominion Rd had the opportunity to explore and enjoy the diverse art interpretation of Jade Rabbit's friends that were on display on shop windows. Beautiful, eclectic artistic rendition of Jade Rabbit's friend posters were contributed by children and people from around Auckland.
2019
Introduction of Dominion Road’s new signature event, the Dominion Rd Moon Festival (13 - 15 September 2019). The three-day festival was successfully hosted through support from three core sectors
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Founding Partners: AELB, BCBA and DRBA
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Sponsors and Businesses: Sponsors from businesses around Dominion Road and Auckland.
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People and Community: diverse community groups, local schools, not-for-profit agencies and student volunteers.
2018
The broad concept of Moon Festival was accepted to be a good fit for Dominion Road and many Asian businesses. A tri-partite collaboration between Albert Eden Local Board (AELB), Balmoral Chinese Business Association (BCBA) and Dominion Road Business Association (DRBA) was formed. The Steering Group agreedon the name: Dominion Rd Moon Festival (DRdMF)
2016-2017
The idea of having a Mid-Autumn festival celebration was mooted during discussions between Balmoral Chinese Business Association and Albert-Eden Local Board. Local Chinese businesses were very keen to share with Aucklanders the practices and traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is another major Chinese festival after the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year).
Albert-Eden Local Board welcomed the idea as it complements commitment in strengthening community connections through arts, culture and events. It also encourages support and promotion of Dominion Road's unique vibrant identity - A world within a street. An event like this will offer opportunities for cultural and social exchanges between diverse communities to share and learn about practices of different cultures, bringing people together in a culturally rich event.