Written by Joy Huang

Oktoberfest: Germany, Sept. 16 to Oct. 3

Oktoberfest is a festival that originated in Munich, Germany and has been celebrated since 1810. The main event in Munich has an average of six million visitors each year. People eat food such as pretzels, sausages and pork, and around 1.5 million gallons of beer are consumed. It is celebrated all around the world. The German club hosts the festival at Gunn with traditional foods and activities.

Mid-Autumn festival: China, Oct. 4

This festival is celebrated in China by lighting lanterns, having family reunion dinners and admiring the full moon. People share mooncakes, a round pastry that symbolizes unity of families. Its origin came from ancient emperors who worshiped and offered sacrifices to the moon in autumn. The holiday is on the 15th day of the eighth month by the Lunar calendar.

Diwali: India, Oct. 19

Diwali, also known as “festival of lights,” is a Hindu festival that celebrates the return of deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after their exile. People celebrate by setting colorful fireworks and lighting up candles. They also perform a puja, a prayer ritual, to the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and of good over evil.