I still remember the first time I set foot in Jinzhou during the Moon-Chasing Festival. It was 2024, and the whole city felt like it had been wrapped in silver gossamer, every lantern gleaming with quiet stories. Fast forward to 2026, and here I am again, wandering through the Moonlit Fair with the same childlike awe — only now, the history of this celebration feels even richer.
Kuro Games has a way of weaving lore into every cobblestone, and the Moon-Chasing Festival is the perfect example. The whole tradition started with a playful, moonlit chase between two Sentinels. One dared the other: a race under the full moon, with the loser owing a wish. The chase became so legendary that the people of Jinzhou turned it into an annual festival of light, longing, and laughter. Even now, whenever I stand beneath the Moontree Lodge, I swear I can feel the echo of that celestial dash — like the wind itself is trying to tell me which Sentinel won. Honestly, it gives me goosebumps in the best way.
What makes the festival so alive, though, are the stalls. Let me walk you through them, because I’ve spent way too many hours there (and I’d do it again in a heartbeat).
Moontree Lodge
This is the soul of the fair. A giant, ancient tree towers over the courtyard, its branches heavy with paper wishes. The first time I approached, a little chibi Yinlin appeared beside me and whispered something about the wishes being our “quietest hopes.” She wasn’t wrong. The act of writing your wish and hanging it among all those others feels sacred. The tree itself seems to listen — maybe that’s just me being sentimental, but you know, the game has a way of making sentiment feel real.
Then there’s the Paper Fan stall, where poets and artists gather to decorate plain fans with brushstrokes and verses. The first year, I watched Jiyan create a fan that looked like a storm captured in ink. This year, I spotted a new character — a young poet with ink-stained fingers — offering custom fans that reflect your in-game choices. Talk about a personalized souvenir! I picked one with a line from a midnight haiku, and now it sits in my inventory like a tiny piece of Jinzhou’s soul.
Now, I can’t skip Yumyum Haven. If you’ve never tasted a Plumpcake, you’re missing out on pure joy. These little sweets are shaped like rabbits and stuffed with moonberry paste, and they sell out faster than you can say “extra syrup.” The stall owner, a rosy-cheeked NPC, always smacks her lips when recommending them, which is adorable and slightly intimidating. This year, they added Waning Mochi — crescent-shaped treats that taste light enough to make you feel like you’re biting into a cloud. I may have spent half my shell credits here. No regrets.
For the young and young-at-heart, there’s the Puppet Theatre. Tiny stages pop up around the fair, telling the story of the Moon-Chasing Sentinel with marionettes and shadow play. Children sit cross-legged, eyes wide, while the puppets reenact the celestial race. Last year, Rover had a brief cameo in one of the shows, and the crowd went wild. This year, they’ve added interactive prompts — you can choose which puppet wins the chase, altering the ending. It’s a small touch, but it makes me feel like I’m part of the legend.
And here’s the part that really tugs at my heartstrings. Back in 2024, the By Moon’s Grace event gave us Xingli Yao, a brand-new five-star Resonator, for free just by participating. I still remember the moment he joined my team — a serious scientist with a hidden softness, all because I helped manage the stalls and listened to Chibi NPCs tell their stories. In 2026, that tradition continues with fresh events and rewards, though the spirit remains the same: community, reverie, and gratitude for the moon’s gentle light.
Between the lantern-lit pathways, the murmur of wishes, and the occasional sound of a puppet show finale, the Moon-Chasing Festival has become more than just an in-game event for me. It’s a yearly ritual. The developers have done something truly special here — they turned a simple lore premise into a world that feels lived-in, grown-up, yet full of wonder. I mean, where else can you gossip with a chibi Camellya about the best Plumpcake filling or accidentally make a wish that comes true somewhere down the storyline?
So whether you’re a veteran Rover who’s been chasing the moon since 2024 or a newcomer just stepping into Jinzhou in 2026, make sure to soak it all in. Grab a fan, eat too many sweets, and for goodness’ sake, make a wish. After all, you never know — the Sentinel might just be listening.