Moon Festival at Eden Center

Tết Trung Thu, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is traditionally a time to celebrate family, harvest, and especially children. In Vietnamese culture, it’s a moment to pass down values, stories, and traditions that form the foundation of identity. At Eden Center, this celebration becomes a living tradition — an opportunity for young Vietnamese Americans to connect with their heritage and for the wider public to experience the richness of Vietnamese cultural heritage.

What makes this festival particularly meaningful is its ability to connect across generations and cultures. Children who participate in the lantern parade, taste mooncakes, or watch the lion dance aren’t just having fun — they’re absorbing lessons in history, pride, and belonging. For parents and elders, it’s a reminder that their culture is seen, honored, and passed on.

While the Moon Festival is deeply rooted in Vietnamese cultural traditions, it is intentionally designed to be an inclusive and welcoming experience for all. Our programming extends an invitation to the broader community, including residents from Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland, to engage with and explore Vietnamese culture in meaningful, accessible ways. Through bilingual emcees, informative signage, food tastings, and hands-on art activities, the festival provides diverse opportunities for learning, connection, and community-building.

OUR VISION
We envision a dynamic, intergenerational celebration that preserves and elevates cultural traditions, fosters unity among diverse communities, and nurtures a profound sense of belonging through shared experiences of cultural expression, education, and joy.

OUR MISSION
Since 2018, the Moon Festival at Eden Center has become a cherished tradition, attracting thousands of attendees each year. This free, family-friendly event uplifts Vietnamese cultural heritage by showcasing music, dance, food, and community-centered activities, offering a vibrant space for cultural exchange and shared celebration.

PROJECT GOALS:

Cultural Preservation

Offer youth and families meaningful ways to explore and celebrate their heritage, ensuring the transmission of cultural values and traditions across generations.

Support Local Businesses

Highlight Eden Center as a cultural and economic hub, drawing visitors to support small, immigrant- and family-owned businesses.

Foster Inclusion and Learning

Create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with Vietnamese American cultural heritage in an accessible, welcoming environment.

Strengthen Community Ties

Offer a safe, intergenerational space for storytelling, creativity, and shared celebration, helping people feel seen, connected, and proud of where they come from.

Join us in making a difference

The Moon Festival at Eden Center stands as a vibrant example of what happens when culture is shared — not kept behind closed doors, but brought out into the open, where it can be honored, explored, and celebrated by all. With your support, we hope to continue growing this event into an even more impactful experience — one that uplifts Vietnamese voices, welcomes the public with open arms, and builds a stronger, more connected community for everyone.

For partnership opportunities or to learn more, please reach out to us at hello@TogetherWeThriveUSA.org.