Green, yellow, pink and purple lanterns illuminated the Milpitas Civic Center Plaza on a Friday evening as families gathered to celebrate the late-summer Harvest Moon. The Milpitas Lantern Festival, held Sept. 12, drew hundreds of residents eager to enjoy a night of vibrant Vietnamese culture, music and food.
The free, family-friendly festival was bustling less than 10 minutes after it began. Children and parents streamed toward rows of booths where they decorated yellow paper lanterns with markers and glitter glue, played games like mancala and sampled traditional mooncakes. Organizers also sold do-it-yourself lantern kits, while two local food trucks filled the air with savory aromas that blended with the scent of the sweet mooncakes.
Performances opened with a lively procession of dancers ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers. Wearing nón lá—traditional Vietnamese conical hats—they glided across the stage with yellow silk scarves and painted fans, each performance alternating between graceful traditional choreography and energetic modern pop-inspired routines. The crowd cheered each transition, capturing videos as performers wove Vietnamese heritage into contemporary styles.
As the sun slipped below the horizon, Vietcoustic, a local live band, took the stage with vocalists performing beloved Vietnamese songs. Guitar, keyboard and gentle percussion mixed with angelic singing, creating a soundtrack that encouraged children and adults to clap along.
City officials highlighted the festival’s role in celebrating Milpitas’ large Vietnamese community. “The City of Milpitas is committed to hosting events like this to honor the cultures and traditions of our diverse residents, including the Vietnamese community we’re celebrating tonight,” one organizer said.
By nightfall, families carried their completed đèn lồng—brightly decorated paper lanterns—across the plaza, with their handmade lights glowing like tiny moons. The lanterns were then carefully hung between the trees, swaying beneath strands of twinkling string lights.
The Milpitas Lantern Festival, now an annual tradition, continues to bridge generations and cultures. Under the Harvest Moon, residents shared food, music and heritage as a celebration of community and light.
