Last weekend, Rachel and I brought Asher to Gardens by the Bay to explore their Mid-Autumn Festival line-up.
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Rachel and Asher at the Flower Dome for Mid-Autumn](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9879001426_05ba941605_o.jpg)
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:
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Lit dragonfly lanterns](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/9879005834_de7ff51d8b_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Beautiful isn't it?](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/9879113093_3fd190d438_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Close-up on one of the dragonfly lanterns](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/9879112393_b84880b7f6_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Mid-autumn display](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/9879001904_86ea24c62c_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Flowerbed](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/9878995514_618b918139_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Chinese drums](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/9879002326_65bb94feb0_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay View of the flowerbed from the second floor](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/9878991056_df40b14fc0_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Exploring the Flower Dome](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/9878998756_58417b81aa_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Lanterns to guide the way](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/9879110523_6a5833c56e_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Egg-shaped lantern](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/9879003574_b4db1740a1_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Another egg-shaped lantern](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/9879006516_cea40c4e5b_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Close-up](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/9878990625_ee6e57f4ac_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Metal dragonfly](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/9878985375_defc174835_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Family picture](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/9878996886_82131010ac_o.jpg)
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:
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Zodiac lanterns](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9849311696_78f4885452_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Can you identify which zodiac this is?](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/9849309796_2275176641_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay And this?](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9849257704_443b1667a7_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay The frog in the corner is a Sakae Sushi sponsored lantern](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/9849278675_a19dbc7f0d_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Dragon on water](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/9849261274_bd8f02a6b2_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Traditional lanterns like these lined the street](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/9849282685_1964df97ca_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Floating palace lantern](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/9849318726_9379cd71ee_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay This is stunningly beautiful](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/9849352233_a9e5acf714_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Mid-Autumn Festival at the Gardens 2013](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/9849270194_e1eef1ff1b_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Giant oriental mask lanterns](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/9849356993_e37fde35c7_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Jurassic Park lanterns](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/9849269114_ef369ef631_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay The kids love these!](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/9849319606_645192cff2_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Birds and ants lanterns](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9849315796_74d71f5c8d_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Hardworking little ants](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/9849297565_4b0ba9f707_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Animal kingdom](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/9849296865_b11410005e_o.jpg)
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.
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Souvenir stores](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/9849359183_0f0447d495_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Food stalls](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/9849271164_d38e6f5222_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Stage for free performances](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/9849358483_e8fb72980f_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay A large lantern display in the middle of the field](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/9849293015_1f3364c225_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Winning lantern for the lantern design competition](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/9849273764_5f439429d3_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay A lantern resembling Chang-Er](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/9849323436_44c56fb960_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Rabbit shaped lanterns for the lantern design competition](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/9849322996_6c5f9e65ef_o.jpg)
As part of fund-raising for President’s Challenge 2013, one can release water lanterns and sky lanterns with a token donation:
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Water lanterns for charity](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/9849312476_dfd0da9b7a_o.jpg)
This is the first time I explore Gardens by the Bay after dark and I was blown away by its beauty:
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Gardens by the Bay at night](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/9849354843_5418853b25_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay The two domes by night](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/9849312966_5666aaba0b_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay The bridges were lighted too](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/9849313976_1fea13619e_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay View of Marina Bay Sands](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/9849252374_81969c0b10_o.jpg)
We had dinner at Majestic Bay (冠華) Seafood Restaurant:
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Mooncakes of course](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/9849338653_7505146480_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Soft-shell crabs and seafood balls](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/9849335573_aa29849bba_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Soup](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9849249964_2062da2082_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Steamed fish](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/9849336733_7258d474a3_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Beancurd skins and vegetables](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/9849251084_090f52ee81_o.jpg)
![Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay Noodle with mini abalones](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/9849301426_8383f1bc31_o.jpg)
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. 🙂