Taiwan as an island rich in culture and tradition, offers a vibrant tapestry of festivals and events throughout the year, ranging from ancient religious ceremonies to modern music celebrations, ensuring there’s always something exciting happening. Let‘s check out Taiwan’s festivals and holidays calendar with me!
Here’s your comprehensive guide to navigating Taiwan’s most exciting seasonal festivals also will help you plan your trip to experience the best.
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Table of Contents
New Year’s Eve Countdown
Date: December 31st
On the last day of the year, countdown parties take place across Taiwan, bringing people together to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in a lively and festive atmosphere. These events feature performances by popular singers and bands, creating an electrifying vibe that’s perfect for ringing in the New Year. Beyond the spectacular fireworks displays, you’ll also find an array of food stalls offering delicious local snacks, adding to the celebratory mood.
In recent years, due to environmental concerns, many fireworks displays have been scaled down and supplemented with light shows, still creating a colorful visual spectacle. Remember to dress warmly, as it can be chilly during New Year’s Eve.
Taipei 101 Fireworks Show
The Taipei 101 fireworks display is one of Taiwan’s most iconic New Year’s Eve events, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Xinyi District each year. This breathtaking show typically lasts for several minutes, combining fireworks, lights, and music to create a stunning audio-visual spectacle.
If you prefer to avoid the crowds, consider booking a table at a nearby restaurant with a great view. Watching the show in comfort while enjoying a delicious meal is an excellent alternative for a memorable countdown experience!
Kaohsiung Dream Mall New Year’s Eve Party
The Dream Mall New Year’s Eve party in Kaohsiung is a major highlight in southern Taiwan. This event often features performances by renowned Taiwanese and international singers and bands, delivering an unforgettable musical extravaganza for the audience.
Taichung Lihpao Land New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show
The Lihpao Land New Year’s Eve fireworks show is one of the main countdown events in central Taiwan. Perfect for families, the celebration offers a full day of fun—enjoy the amusement park during the day and join the countdown festivities in the evening. It’s an ideal choice for a family getaway and a memorable New Year celebration!
Kenting Beach New Year’s Party
If you love beaches and waves, the Kenting beach countdown party is a must-experience event. Featuring live music, dance performances, and bonfires by the shore, it offers a vibrant celebration like no other. Imagine bidding farewell to the last sunset of the year by the ocean and welcoming the first rays of the New Year the next morning—truly a romantic experience!
Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)
Date: Late January to mid-February
Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is one of Taiwan’s most important traditional holidays, centered around family reunions and cherishing time together. In the days leading up to the New Year, households stock up on festive goods, making malls and supermarkets a great place to explore and sample traditional New Year treats. Temples also come alive with vibrant celebrations during this period, offering a unique opportunity to experience the festive atmosphere.
However, from New Year’s Eve to the second day of the Lunar New Year, many businesses, especially popular restaurants, close for the holidays. New Year’s Eve is the most common day for closures as families gather for reunion dinners. At the same time, tourist attractions and theme parks often see large crowds during this period, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Be sure to check in advance whether your chosen restaurants or attractions are open, and have a backup plan (Plan B) ready just in case!
Sanxia Zushi Temple Birthday Celebration
Date: 6th day of the first lunar month
Sanxia Zushi Temple is one of Taiwan’s oldest and most historically valuable temples. Every year, it holds a grand celebration for the birthday of its main deity. While Zushi temples across Taiwan hold ceremonies on this day, the scale of Sanxia’s celebration is the largest and most lively. The event includes parades, traditional opera performances, and folk activities. The highlight is the “Divine Pig Competition.” In the 1950s and 60s, when many households were still farming, people would raise “divine pigs” and compete to see who could raise the largest pig. The winner would receive a reward from the Zushi Temple and was believed to have good luck for the coming year.
Lantern Festival
Date: 15th day of the first lunar month (usually in February)
Although the Chinese New Year holiday typically lasts about a week nowadays, the 15th day of the first lunar month, known as the Lantern Festival, traditionally marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations. On this day, people in Taiwan engage in various Lantern Festival activities. One famous event is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. People write their wishes on sky lanterns and release them, sending their hopes skyward. The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival and the Taiwan Lantern Festival are also major events held during this time.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
Date: Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month)
Pingxi is known for its sky lanterns, and while they can be released throughout the year, the sky lantern festival attracts the largest crowds, with enough lanterns released to fill the entire night sky, creating a truly spectacular sight. Surrounded by mountains, Pingxi provides a relatively safe environment for launching sky lanterns. However, a small reminder: it’s recommended to choose environmentally friendly lanterns that completely burn out in the air (though they are more expensive).
Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival
Date: 14th to 15th day of the first lunar month (around the Lantern Festival)
The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks is a traditional folk celebration in Yanshui District, Tainan City, southern Taiwan. It is a festival where locals express gratitude to their guardian deity and pray for peace and safety. The festival is famous for its intense “beehive fireworks,” which are firecracker devices that, once lit, shoot countless sparks and rockets in all directions, resembling a swarm of bees emerging from a hive—creating a truly spectacular scene.
Although the event is visually impressive, it can be dangerous, so participants are required to wear protective gear to shield themselves from the flying sparks. You can either prepare your own protective clothing or purchase it from vendors on-site.
Feel free to check out the Official website!
Taiwan Lantern Festival
Date: Usually starts after the Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month) and lasts for one to two weeks
This is Taiwan’s largest lantern festival, held annually in different cities on a rotating basis. The event showcases thousands of lanterns in various shapes and sizes, including traditional lanterns as well as those incorporating modern technology and innovative designs. The highlight of each year’s lantern festival is the main lantern, which typically features the theme of that year’s zodiac animal.
In addition to the lantern displays, the festival often includes fireworks shows, folk performances, and food stalls, making it an ideal event for families and visitors to enjoy.
Spring Scream Music Festival / Taiwan Music Festival
Date: Spring (usually early April)
The Spring Scream Music Festival is one of Taiwan’s largest outdoor music festivals, held every spring in Kenting. Although it was put on hold after the pandemic and has since been renamed “Taiwan Festival,” the spirit and content of the event remain the same.
During the festival, numerous local and international musicians perform on the beach, alongside indie bands and underground groups, all embracing a free-spirited rock vibe that is especially popular among young people. By providing a platform for independent bands, many well-known artists and groups have emerged from this festival, so you might just witness the rise of the next big act!
Check out the details via the Official Website !
Mazu Pilgrimage
Date: Third lunar month (usually April or May)
The Mazu Pilgrimage is Taiwan’s largest religious event, lasting for nine days. During this time, devotees carry the Mazu statue on a procession that spans hundreds of kilometers, passing through numerous towns and villages. Along the way, there are traditional temple fairs, performances, and enthusiastic participation from followers.
There are no restrictions on participation, so foreign visitors are welcome to join in, offering a unique opportunity to experience Taiwan’s religious and community culture firsthand.
If you want to experience the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage without the hassle of planning, I will recommend to
join a guided day tour from Taipei to get convenient transportation, expert insights, and front-row access to this incredible cultural event!
Whether you’re interested in the festival’s deep-rooted history or just want to soak in the lively atmosphere, this tour is the best way to experience Taiwan’s most famous religious procession.
Dragon Boat Festival
Date: 5th day of the 5th lunar month (usually in June)
The Dragon Boat Festival is another highlight on Taiwan’s cultural calendar, commemorating the historical patriotic poet Qu Yuan. The most exciting aspects of this festival are the thrilling dragon boat races and zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). Dragon boat races are held in various locations across Taiwan, including Taipei and Hualien, though the scale varies. Team members paddle vigorously in dragon boats to the beat of drums, creating a scene unique to the Dragon Boat Festival.
Zongzi are glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves with various fillings. There are many types of zongzi, including sweet, savory, vegetarian, and meat-filled varieties. Northern and southern Taiwan have their own distinct styles of zongzi. If you have the chance, try both (available at night markets or Dragon Boat Festival markets).
Taiwan International Balloon Festival
Date: Summer (June to August)
If you’re looking for a unique festival experience, consider visiting Taitung in the summer for the Taiwan International Balloon Festival. The festival is usually held at Luye Highlands in Taitung County, which provides a stunning natural backdrop for the event. Hundreds of hot air balloons from around the world take to the sky, and visitors can even take balloon rides to enjoy aerial views of the East Rift Valley, including its mountain ranges, vast fields, and winding rivers.
Ho-Hai-Yan Gongliao Rock Festival
Date: Summer (usually July or August)
The Ho-Hai-Yan Gongliao Rock Festival is one of Taiwan’s most popular summer music festivals, typically held by the sea or in scenic locations. It complements the Spring Scream Music Festival in Kenting, with the two events happening in spring and summer respectively, and in the north and south of Taiwan. The English name “Ho-hai-yan” comes from the Amis language, one of Taiwan’s indigenous languages, expressing the highest praise for the ocean. Similar to the Spring Scream Music Festival, performances at the Ho-Hai-Yan festival include both famous rock bands and singers, as well as underground bands, which are a major highlight. This allows visitors to experience authentic Taiwanese music culture and rock spirit.
Indigenous Peoples’ Harvest Festival
Taiwan’s Indigenous Peoples’ Harvest Festival is an important celebration for Taiwan’s indigenous tribes to celebrate the harvest and pray for blessings. Each indigenous group celebrates this festival according to their own customs and traditions, and some also hold joint large-scale harvest festivals. These events warmly welcome tourists to participate and promote their culture. However, visitors must respect the tribal culture and not interfere with or obstruct the ceremonies.
For visitors from outside the area, it’s not easy to dive deep into indigenous culture without a local guide. Join a one-day cultural experience with the Kawan Tribe in Hualien. Follow a Chinese-speaking guide to explore tribal life, learn traditional hunting skills, and visit scenic mountain spots. A great way to connect with Taiwan’s indigenous culture and nature.
Hualien Joint Harvest Festival / 2024 Pacific Austronesian Joint Harvest Festival
Date: Summer (July to August)
The Harvest Festival is a grand annual event for Taiwan’s indigenous peoples and is Taiwan’s largest and most representative indigenous cultural activity. It’s jointly held by tribes including the Amis, Bunun, Truku, Kavalan, Sakizaya, and Seediq. The event usually lasts for 3 days, with different tribes presenting song and dance performances each day. In addition to indigenous song and dance performances, there are stalls selling indigenous handicrafts, agricultural specialties, and cuisine. There’s also a “grand dance” where thousands of people dance together, and visitors can join in to experience the unique cultural charm of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples.
photo credited from official website
Taitung Indigenous Peoples’ Harvest Festival
Date: Summer (July to August)
The Harvest Festival in Taitung is an important celebration for the indigenous people of eastern Taiwan, offering a chance to experience traditional songs, dances, music, and a rich array of cultural activities. Unlike the joint Hualien-Taitung Harvest Festival, which is a collaborative event between multiple tribes, the festivals in Taitung’s individual tribes are usually held separately, making the scale of the event smaller.
Event details can be found on the Taitung government or indigenous community websites. It’s recommended to arrange a local guide, as it can be difficult to participate in the activities on your own. Additionally, some tribes do not allow outsiders to join their Harvest Festival, so having a local guide helps you avoid any restrictions while also giving you deeper insight into their cultural background and taboos.
Taitung Government Facebook
Calendar of Harvest Festivals for Various Tribes
Local Guided Tours
Mid-Autumn Festival
Date: 15th day of the 8th lunar month (usually September)
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important holidays for Chinese communities. Traditionally, it’s a time to enjoy tea and mooncakes while admiring the full moon. In Taiwan, however, there’s a unique twist to the celebration—barbecuing. After the hot summer sun sets, people gather with family and friends for BBQ parties, either at home or at designated spots, often by riverside parks or along the coast. This modern tradition makes the holiday feel less formal, and it’s especially popular among young people. If you’re interested, you can check the locations where BBQs are allowed this year and join the local BBQ festivities to experience the holiday atmosphere firsthand.
National Day (Double Tenth Day)
Date: October 10th
Taiwan’s National Day is also known as Double Tenth Day. On this day, grand parades, fireworks displays, and various performances are held across Taiwan. Taipei is the center of these celebrations, where you can watch military parades and other parade performances. Of course, if you don’t like crowded places, you should avoid these days, as everywhere will be packed during this holiday period.
Nuit Blanche (White Night)
Date: Fall (usually in October)
Nuit Blanche (White Night) is a global art event originating from Paris, France, held annually in Taipei. The event typically takes place on the first weekend of October and lasts all night, from 6 PM until 6 AM the following day. During these 12 hours, Taipei’s streets, parks, squares, and various cultural venues host a wide range of free art exhibitions, installations, performances, and concerts.
The unique appeal of Nuit Blanche lies in its openness and inclusivity. Visitors can freely explore different event locations, enjoying a feast for the eyes and ears. This event is particularly suitable for tourists, as it not only showcases Taiwan’s contemporary art and culture but also allows people to experience the city’s special charm at night.
Although there is no official website for this event, but you can check out the Instagram for more details.
Summary
After reading these introductions, you probably have some events you’d like to attend. However, here are some final friendly reminders to keep in mind! All these festivals and holidays attract large crowds, so it’s advisable to make accommodation and transportation arrangements well in advance. If you’re a traveler who dislikes crowded places and prefers a quiet journey, you might want to do the opposite and avoid these festival dates. If you’re participating in religious or indigenous events, be sure to respect local customs and traditions. Don’t disrupt the activities, be mindful of any dress code restrictions, and check whether photography is allowed.
For more trip ideas:
9 Best English-Friendly Escape Rooms in Taiwan – Fun Group Activities & Thrilling Experiences
Ultimate Guide to Camping in Taiwan: 13 Best Locations, Packing Tips, and Everything You Need for a Memorable Experience
