Is it permissible to celebrate the night of mid-Sha'ban by distributing sweets to children as a form of joy for the advent of the month of Ramadan?

Celebrating the night of mid-Sha'ban is not legislated, whether through worship or custom; it is like any other night.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has stated that celebrating the night of mid-Sha'ban or other nights, such as the night of the Mi'raj (Ascension) and the Prophet's Birthday, is among the innovated practices that were not reported from the Prophet, peace be upon him, nor from his Companions. Therefore, it is not permissible to assist in establishing these celebrations; rather, they must be denounced.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen clarified that showing joy on the two Eids (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) is permissible within Islamic limits. However, showing joy on the twenty-seventh night of Rajab (the supposed night of the Mi'raj), or the night of mid-Sha'ban, or the day of Ashura, has no basis; rather, it is prohibited. Even if an incident were proven to have occurred on a specific night, it is not permissible to innovate rituals or acts of worship that were not established by the Prophet, peace be upon him, or his Companions.