Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay - Alvinology

Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay

Last weekend, Rachel and I brought Asher to Gardens by the Bay to explore their Mid-Autumn Festival line-up.

Rachel and Asher at the Flower Dome for Mid-Autumn
Rachel and Asher at the Flower Dome for Mid-Autumn

For the festival, Gardens by the Bay was transformed into a spectacular display of life and colour. This ran from 13 to 22 September 2013, ending yesterday.

The new Mid-Autumn themed floral display in the Flower Dome features three striking dragonfly lanterns perched amidst a field of vibrant flora such as “lantern flowers” like Begonias and autumn-blooms like Chrysanthemums, Astilbes and Celosias, while Chinese lanterns add to the festive ambience and traditional paper cut-outs illustrate the myths and legends behind this festival:

Lit dragonfly lanterns
Lit dragonfly lanterns
Beautiful isn't it?
Beautiful isn’t it?
Close-up on one of the dragonfly lanterns
Close-up on one of the dragonfly lanterns
Mid-autumn display
Mid-autumn display
Flowerbed
Flowerbed
Chinese drums
Chinese drums
View of the flowerbed from the second floor
View of the flowerbed from the second floor
Exploring the Flower Dome
Exploring the Flower Dome
Lanterns to guide the way
Lanterns to guide the way
Egg-shaped lantern
Egg-shaped lantern
Another egg-shaped lantern
Another egg-shaped lantern
Close-up
Close-up
Metal dragonfly
Metal dragonfly
Family picture
Family picture

In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there was also an extension of operating hours and a 15% discount on admission tickets to the conservatories from 13 to 22 September 2013.

The public can also enjoy beautiful lantern displays, catch performances, savour Chinese delicacies, and lots more at the open-air, free Mid-Autumn Festival @ The Gardens 2013. Highlights include ‘Dragonfly Lake’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Birds and Insects Paradise’ and ‘World of Fairy Tales’ lantern displays:

Zodiac lanterns
Zodiac lanterns
Can you identify which zodiac this is?
Can you identify which zodiac this is?
And this?
And this?
The frog in the corner is a Sakae Sushi sponsored lantern
The frog in the corner is a Sakae Sushi sponsored lantern
Dragon on water
Dragon on water
Traditional lanterns like these lined the street
Traditional lanterns like these lined the street
Floating palace lantern
Floating palace lantern
This is stunningly beautiful
This is stunningly beautiful
Mid-Autumn Festival at the Gardens 2013
Mid-Autumn Festival at the Gardens 2013
Giant oriental mask lanterns
Giant oriental mask lanterns
Jurassic Park lanterns
Jurassic Park lanterns
The kids love these!
The kids love these!
Birds and ants lanterns
Birds and ants lanterns
Hardworking little ants
Hardworking little ants
Animal kingdom
Animal kingdom

The event comprised a series of performances and activities featuring dance, drama, opera, music, talent search competition, photography competition, lantern-making competition and exhibitions, Chinese chess competition, lantern riddles, fitness challenge and other Chinese art forms. There were nightly lantern walks and special guided educational tours for new and non-chinese citizens.

Souvenir stores
Souvenir stores
Food stalls
Food stalls
Stage for free performances
Stage for free performances
A large lantern display in the middle of the field
A large lantern display in the middle of the field
Winning lantern for the lantern design competition
Winning lantern for the lantern design competition
A lantern resembling Chang-Er
A lantern resembling Chang-Er
Rabbit shaped lanterns for the lantern design competition
Rabbit shaped lanterns for the lantern design competition

As part of fund-raising for President’s Challenge 2013, one can release water lanterns and sky lanterns with a token donation:

Water lanterns for charity
Water lanterns for charity

This is the first time I explore Gardens by the Bay after dark and I was blown away by its beauty:

Gardens by the Bay at night
Gardens by the Bay at night
The two domes by night
The two domes by night
The bridges were lighted too
The bridges were lighted too
View of Marina Bay Sands
View of Marina Bay Sands

We had dinner at Majestic Bay (冠華) Seafood Restaurant:

Mooncakes of course
Mooncakes of course
Soft-shell crabs and seafood balls
Soft-shell crabs and seafood balls
Soup
Soup
Steamed fish
Steamed fish
Beancurd skins and vegetables
Beancurd skins and vegetables
Noodle with mini abalones
Noodle with mini abalones

This event is jointly organised by the Chinese Newspapers Division of Singapore Press Holdings, People’s Association and Gardens by the Bay.

Mid-Autumn Festival @ The Gardens 2013 is one of the many events Gardens by the Bay hosts as part of its community-building initiatives.

If you have missed this event, do stay tuned to the official Gardens by the Bay website as well as their Facebook page for the latest updates on their next exciting event or promotion. 🙂

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