JOHOR BARU — The Mid-Autumn Festival remains a cherished family tradition for many in Malaysia, serving as an annual occasion to reconnect with cultural heritage and extended relatives.

For 38-year-old executive Jerine Goh, the celebration offers an opportunity to impart the customs she experienced during her childhood to her own children. Each year, her family travels to their ancestral village in Melaka to hold a reunion. The festivities typically include sharing mooncakes and other traditional snacks, followed by children carrying lanterns through the village streets. Adults gather to enjoy mooncakes accompanied by hot tea.

“We teach the children how to light paper lanterns and solve riddles — activities that have long been part of the festival,” Goh said, noting that her children appreciate the chance to bond with cousins while learning the cultural significance behind the celebration.

Similarly, private tutor Liew Ai Fung, 42, maintains the practice of lantern walks at home with her three children. Her family usually joins neighbors for a parade through several residential streets, continuing a community tradition. This year, Liew planned to make lanterns from repurposed Milo tins to preserve an element of her own upbringing.

The ongoing appeal of traditional lanterns is also evident in the retail sector. Jessica Yew, a sales assistant at a local decorative shop, reported that while modern designs—often made from plastic and featuring popular cartoon motifs—have grown in popularity, classic paper lanterns continue to attract buyers from Malaysia and Singapore alike.

“Many customers get excited when they see traditional lanterns and purchase them in bulk for home decoration and family events,” Yew said.

Historically, these lanterns were illuminated by candles, but such a practice posed fire hazards, especially for children carrying the lanterns during festivities. To address this concern, many modern lanterns now incorporate small LED bulbs, which offer enhanced safety without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

Across households and communities, the Mid-Autumn Festival persists as a meaningful time for cultural preservation and family bonding, with traditional lanterns playing a central role in the celebrations.