The Chinese Moon Festival is being celebrated in Bethlehem this Saturday, September 24 with exuberant colourful dances, cultural performances, joy and camaraderie.

The festival is a holiday dedicated to family reunions, a little bit like Thanksgiving. It is also widely known as the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, because this is the harvest season in China throughout the autumn, with a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture.

'We gather with our loved ones on this day to celebrate the harvest, enjoy the moon and mooncakes, and celebrate the fullness of the moon,” says NZ China Friendship Society Tauranga president Tina Zhang.

'There is a saying in Chinese that goes: 'On festive occasions more than ever one thinks of one's dear ones far away”. We, New Zealand China Friendship Society (Tauranga branch) made the decision to invite everyone of you to co-celebrate this Chinese Moon Festival as a family.”

The Chinese Moon Festival is on September 24 at 4.30pm-7pm at Bethlehem College Performing Arts Centre and is free to attend.

'It does not matter what walks of life, or which ethnic groups you come from. Let us all come together to partake in our joy and culture,” says Tina.

The Mid-Autumn Festival has been celebrated for more than 3500 years and was first documented during the Shang Dynasty in 1600 BC.

Singing, Chinese musical instructions, kung fu and traditional dances such as a lion dance and fan dance are just some of the highlights of the festival on Saturday.

'There are 56 ethnic groups living in China, and I will be wearing a Tibetan costume,” says Lin Ma. 'At this event, we will perform a Tibetan dance called ‘Road to the Heaven'.

'Since 1951, the Chinese Government started to build roads for Tibet, and nowadays, the fastest way to get to Lhasa from Chengdu is to drive westward in three days, using the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. This treacherous road, which is more than 2000km long, is known as 'the most beautiful scenic road in China”. Our dance is to show the joy of Tibetan people after this highway is done.”

Olivia Hong says red is 'the Chinese hue”, used during joyful events.

'Chinese people have long utilised red as a decorative colour. There will be a dance called ‘A good and rosy start' at this event. It implies that if you open the door, nice things will occur,” says Olivia.

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, which is based on martial arts movements, skilfully incorporates elements of Beijing Opera and dance, enabling the ancient martial arts movement and contemporary songs to blend together.

'It also draws on the essence of traditional Chinese martial arts, which are both rigid and flexible, both in form and in spirit, soothing the tendons and qi, both inside and out, full of elegant and dashing beauty and the masculine majesty of martial arts,” says Tina.

'We support national fitness, hold sports nights every weekend, and especially some elderly people who live alone with us.”

Tina says the Tauranga NZ China Friendship Society has members of all ages.

'Including youths, people in their thirties, and people in their sixties. We hope more people will join our team,” says Tina.

The Chinese Moon Festival on September 24 is 4.30pm-7pm at Bethlehem College Performing Arts Centre – however RSVPs to book a free ticket is required first by emailing: tauranga@nzcfs.com