The Festival of the Moon featuring the “Museum of the Moon” Takes Over Rahway October 4 – 20
Museum of the Moon, a touring artwork by U.K. artist Luke Jerram, will be presented inside the majestic Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) in October 2025. The touring artwork will be presented during the 17-day Festival of the Moon.
This marks the first time Museum of the Moon will be exhibited in New Jersey, and one of only a handful of times it has been shown on the East Coast.
Measuring 23 feet in diameter, the illuminated moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Every inch on the sculpture represents nearly 8 miles of the Moon’s actual surface. The installation combines lunar imagery, moonlight, and a surround sound composition created by award-winning composer Dan Jones.
“Rahway is proud to welcome Museum of the Moon to our vibrant city,” said Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe. “This awe-inspiring presentation not only brings world-class art to our doorstep but also invites our community to gather under the glow of imagination and wonder. We’re not just showcasing the Moon—we’re celebrating Rahway’s continued rise as a cultural destination where creativity, connection, and community thrive.”
The sculpture will be the centerpiece of the Festival of the Moon, a 17-day celebration presented by the City of Rahway, Rahway SID, and UCPAC.
The festival will take place October 4–20, 2025, with near-daily events and performances beneath the glowing installation. Highlights include live music, dance, children’s theater, opera, film, and other lunar-inspired programming.
Some of New Jersey’s leading artistic companies—such as the New Jersey Symphony, American Repertory Ballet, New Jersey Opera Theater, and Chinese Culture Arts Association—will bring unforgettable performances that celebrate the moon.
“We are honored to be the landing site for Museum of the Moon this October,” said UCPAC Executive Director Danni Newbury. “As a historic theater with deep roots in the arts, UCPAC is thrilled to collaborate with the City of Rahway and the Rahway SID to bring this breathtaking exhibit to life. It’s a shining example of what happens when visionary partners come together to elevate culture in our city.”
Public viewing hours will be available with free timed-entry tickets, which can be reserved online at www.rahwaymoonfest.com/schedule
On Saturday, October 4, from 6 pm to 9 pm, the festival will feature a Moonlit Market, an open-air night market featuring art, small batch, and artisan-made goods. The market will be located at 1591 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, next door to the Union County Performing Arts Center. Entry to the market is free.
As the moon rises, shoppers can browse and buy unique finds directly from artists and makers in this lantern-lit market. Moonlit Market vendors will light their tents and tables to present their handmade products and unique wares. On Fire Entertainment joins Moonlit Market to spin cosmic tunes and tracks.
“Our small businesses and local artists are at the heart of Rahway,” said Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe. “The Moonlit Market is like a nighttime treasure hunt, with lanterns glowing, music in the air, and one-of-a-kind finds from the incredible makers in our community.”
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