Suzhou Holiday Guide for 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival

Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. iSuzhou has compiled a guide to holiday activities in Suzhou. Let's take a look.

Suzhou Taihu Lake Mid-Autumn Moon-Viewing Lantern Festival

The events feature a moon-viewing lantern display, lantern riddle contests, and a bubble candlelight concert, together with family-friendly handicraft workshops, a Mid-Autumn market, and music fountain performances for a rich and varied experience.

Time: September 25 to 26

Venue: South Square of Taihu International Conference Center苏州太湖国际会议中心

Shantang Street Celebration

On September 25, a themed event titled Moonlight over Shantang: Prayers for Reunion will be held at the historic opera stage. Visitors can write their wishes on wooden plaques.

Time: September 25

Venue: Shantang Street山塘街

6th Annual "Moon Invitation" Event around Shihu Lake

The event brings together lantern riddles under the moon, a moonlight market, lantern viewing tours, and traditional Chinese costume performances.

Time: September 25 to October 7

Venue: Shihu Lake Scenic Area石湖景区

2026 Cross-Strait (Kunshan) Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival

Held simultaneously in two lantern zones — Huiju Square and Zhouzhuang Ancient Town — the festival showcases exquisitely crafted, dazzling lantern displays, offering visitors an immersive night tour experience.

Time: Through October 7

Venue: Huiju Square昆山慧聚广场 and Zhouzhuang Ancient Town周庄古镇风景区

Tiger Hill Temple Fair

The temple fair features intangible cultural heritage performances such as taige, a traditional parade float performance, and high-pole lion dance, along with a specialty market.

Time: September 25 to October 31

Venue: Tiger Hill虎丘山风景名胜区

Tongli Ancient Town

A variety of distinctive activities and exciting performances allow visitors to immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere unique to this water town.

Time: September 25 to October 7

Venue: Tongli Ancient Town同里古镇风景区

Lili Ancient Town

Special events and themed markets showcase the water-town charm and festive appeal of Lili Ancient Town in every dimension.

Time: Through October 7

Venue: Lili Ancient Town黎里古镇

Osmanthus Flower Market

This year's Osmanthus Flower Market will continue to be held at Guihua Park, running through October 25. Read more.

Time: Through October 25

Venue: Guihua Park苏州市桂花公园

2026 Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan)

A selection of about 45 classic opera excerpts will be performed on stage, chosen from the 2026 classic excerpt showcase.

Time: Through mid-October

Venue: Across Suzhou and related cities in Jiangsu Province

2026 Tiger Hill Opera Gathering

On the Thousand-Person Rock of Tiger Hill, enjoy the cool breeze, admire the bright moon, and listen to the melodious tunes of Kunqu sung in harmony with nature.

Time: Through September 27

Venue: Tiger Hill Scenic Area

Mid-Autumn Night on the Right Bank

A special Mid-Autumn performance will be held on September 25, using song as a medium to express feelings under the moonlight.

Time: September 25

Venue: Right Bank City Lounge金鸡湖右岸客厅下沉广场

2nd Taicang Seafood Festival

The seafood festival features three themed nights — traditional Chinese-style moon appreciation, trendy electronic music, and evening folk music — along with band performances, lantern riddle games, and multiple rounds of lucky draws.

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., September 24 to 26

Venue: Liuhe Town Civic Square浏河镇

2026 Kunshan International Specialty Coffee Exhibition

The exhibition showcases internationally sourced green coffee beans, globally renowned coffee equipment and utensils, and more.

Time: September 24 to 26

Venue: Kunshan International Convention and Exhibition Center昆山国际会展中心

Tips

1. Holiday Weather

Photo/Weather China

2. Arriving in Suzhou by (High-Speed) Train

Suzhou has a total of 13 railway stations: Suzhou Railway Station, Suzhou North Railway Station, Suzhou Yuanqu Railway Station, Suzhou Xinqu Railway Station, Kunshan South Railway Station, Yangchenghu Railway Station, Kunshan Railway Station, Taicang Railway Station, Taicang South Railway Station, Zhangjiagang Railway Station, Changshu Railway Station, Suzhou South Railway Station, and Shengze Railway Station.

Among these, Suzhou Railway Station is closest to the ancient city and offers the most convenient transportation (accessible via Metro Lines 2 and 4). Please pay attention to the station name when purchasing your train ticket!

3. Scenic Spots Requiring Reservation

Currently, the scenic spots and cultural venues in Suzhou that require real-name reservation and ticket purchase are: Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Suzhou Museum, Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, Tongli Ancient Town, and Suzhou Amusement Land.

You can make real-name reservations and purchase tickets 1-7 days in advance through platforms such as the "苏州园林官微" WeChat account (WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh), the "Jundao Suzhou" mini-program君到苏州, and the "Suzhoudao" App.

4. Extended Opening Hours for Some Cultural and Museum Venues

Suzhou Museum苏州博物馆

From September 25 to 27, Suzhou Museum (excluding Prince Zhong's Mansion), Suzhou Museum West, and Suzhou Folk Customs Museum will extend their opening hours until 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.). The Library of Suzhou Museum will open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.).

Suzhou Silk Museum苏州丝绸博物馆

From September 25 to 27, Suzhou Silk Museum will open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.). The extended service areas are the History Hall and the Future Hall.

Suzhou Opera Museum

From September 25 to 27, the China Kunqu Opera Museum中国昆曲博物馆 (No. 14 Zhongzhangjia Lane) will offer extended opening hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (entry stops after 7:30 p.m.). The China Suzhou Pingtan Museum中国苏州评弹博物馆 (No. 3 Zhongzhangjia Lane) will open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (entry stops after 4:30 p.m.).

Suzhou Museum of Inscribed Stone Tablets苏州碑刻博物馆

From September 25 to 27, Suzhou Museum of Inscribed Stone Tablets will offer extended opening hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.). Three free volunteer guided tours are provided daily at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Suzhou Archaeological Museum苏州考古博物馆

On September 25 and 26, Suzhou Archaeological Museum extends its opening hours until 8 p.m., with last entry at 7:30 p.m.

5. Elegant Small Gardens with Beautiful Scenery

In addition to famous gardens such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove, Lingering Garden, and Canglang Pavilion, many other gardens are worth visiting: Couple's Retreat Garden耦园, Garden of Cultivation艺圃, Yiyuan Garden怡园, Keyuan Garden可园, Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty环秀山庄, Five-Peak Garden五峰园, and Chaiyuan Garden柴园 (Suzhou Education Museum).

6. Food Recommendations