Volunteers committed to promoting Chinese traditional culture gathered to celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival at the Shunyi Cultural Center in Beijing on Friday.

The festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, has been observed by people of Chinese origin for thousands of years. It is usually marked by the viewing of the full moon and eating mooncakes.

During the gala, volunteers danced to welcome the autumn and others performed Sichuan Opera face-changing. A song to honor the moon was also performed, arousing strong emotions in the crowd.