Royal Mid-Autumn festival to be held at Kien Trung Palace for the first time

The ‘Mother Unicorn delivering Unicorn Cubs’ performance by artists from Hue Royal Traditional Art Theatre

The “Royal Mid-Autumn Festival 2026” will take place at 7:30 p.m. on September 24th (the 14th day of the eighth lunar month), marking the first time the event has been held on the grounds of Kien Trung Palace in Hue Imperial City. According to Hue Monuments Conservation Center, the change of venue from the ground of the Royal Treasury Palace to that of Kien Trung Palace is one of this year’s new features. The larger, more open space will allow more children and their families to come together to play, explore and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in the heart of the Imperial City.

The highlight of the evening will be a lantern festival and traditional royal court games such as Dau Ho, Xam Huong and Bai Vu. Through these hands-on activities, children will have the opportunity to learn how the games are played and discover the fascinating features of games once associated with life in the royal court, giving them a deeper appreciation of the cultural values of old Hue.

Artistic performances inspired by royal court traditions will also add a distinctive touch to the celebration. Artists from the Hue Royal Traditional Art Theatre will perform Mother Unicorn Delivering Unicorn Cubs, the Phoenix Dance, the Five Tigers Dance, and the Horse Dance, recreating traditional mythical creatures and characteristic dance movements. The combination of the solemn elegance of royal court arts and the joyful atmosphere for children will create a Mid-Autumn celebration that is both rich in cultural identity and accessible to young audiences.

In particular, performances by children in traditional ao-dai from a collection by designer Doan Trang will add even more color to the festivities.

‘Royal Mid-Autumn Festival 2026’ is free of charge, with no admission ticket required. From traditional royal court games to traditional arts, the event offers children an opportunity to play, learn and experience cultural values within a heritage setting.