The Lantern and Moon Festival is back at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi for four days full of widespread celebrations and engaging activities.
Hosted from September 21 to 24, the event is held at the stunning hotel as a symbol of unity and harmony and will feature delightful street food options, special cultural performances, lantern-making workshops, lighting of lanterns and an abundance of moon cakes.
Ulf Bremer, General Manager at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, said: “The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese people, which has spread across other parts of Asia owing to its popularity.
“The festival celebrates three fundamental concepts that are closely connected: gathering, thanksgiving and praying. It is said that the moon is the brightest and roundest on this day which resembles family reunion. And this is why it is important for us to celebrate this as a family and join hands with our guests to give thanks with such a wonderful festival.”
The Lantern and Moon Festival kicks off with the Family Friday when an all-day brunch will be hosted at Sofra BLD, the award-winning restaurant, from 1pm until 11pm combined with Shang Palace and Hoi An, the hotel’s Chinese and Vietnamese venues. Homemade dimsum and snow-skin mooncakes will be served from 1.30pm onwards, and live entertainment will be organised at Sofra BLD from 1pm until 4pm.
The all-day brunch, priced at AED 258, will include beach and pool access for the day from 11am to 8pm. Children aged under 12 years can dine for free and enjoy the special kids’ zone activities. Drinks packages are also available at additional costs of AED 120 for cocktails and AED 220 for champagne.
The Kung Fu Tea Master, exclusive to the property, will perform at various venues including Shang Palace at 1.45pm and 8.30pm, Hoi An at 9.15pm and the Pool Bar at 7.45pm combined with the traditional face-changing performance. Live music played on traditional Chinese instruments is worth experiencing and will be organised at both Hoi An and Shang Palace from 7pm until 11pm.
Children can look forward to the exciting lantern colouring activity, which will be organised at 5pm at Sofra BLD’s terrace, from where guests can enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of Abu Dhabi.
The hotel’s own Dragon Boat team will lead the way for the lantern floating ceremony at 7pm. With live drum performances and all guests at the hotel joining the event to light the lanterns, this is guaranteed to be a fun Friday for the full family. ESS Lounge will also organise a movie night at 8.30pm for those who would like to enjoy the outdoors.
“Mooncakes are a specialty enjoyed during the traditional mid-Autumn festival and we have specially imported plenty of the authentic treats for all our guests,” Ulf said.
On September 22, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi gets a makeover for the Saturday Street Market. Hosted at Sofra BLD and Shang Palace from 1pm until 4pm, the lunch buffet is priced at AED 198, with an additional AED 120 for cocktails and AED 220 for the champagne package. Children under 12 years can dine for free and enjoy activities like face painting as well as art and crafts sessions.
Hoi An, a hidden gem of the capital’s dining scene, hosts a four-course set menu dinner on September 23 from 6.30pm until 11pm. Ideal for those looking to sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine, this dinner is priced at AED 160.
On September 24, Shang Palace welcomes all to discover the various styles of Chinese cuisine through its six-course set menu. Served from 7pm until 11pm, the dinner is priced at AED 200 and celebrates with authentic dishes served during the mid-Autumn festival.
For reservations, please call 02 509 8555 or email restaurantreservations.slad@shangri-la.com
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited, one of the world’s premier hotel management companies, currently operates over 95 hotels in 22 countries and 73 destinations under the Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders brands. Prominently positioned in Asia, the group has established its brand hallmark of “hospitality from the heart” over four decades in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, North America and the Indian Ocean. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. For more information, please visit www.shangri-la.com.
