{"id":766,"date":"2026-07-02T07:56:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T07:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T13:09:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T13:09:01","slug":"taiwan-festivals-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/taiwan-festivals-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"An Overview of Taiwan's Festivals: Lantern Festivals, the Mazu Pilgrimage, the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks, New Year's Eve, and the Seasonal Highlights of the Whole Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<style class=\"lt-tbl-css\">.entry-content table,.lt-tbl{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:1.2em 0}.entry-content th,.entry-content td,.lt-tbl th,.lt-tbl td{border:1px solid #d4dcd7;padding:8px 11px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top}.entry-content th,.lt-tbl th{background:#eef3f0;font-weight:600}<\/style>\n<p>Updated: 2026-07-02 | For real-time information, always refer to official announcements.<\/p>\n<p><em>We've organized the folk and tourism festivals most worth building your itinerary around into a seasonal time map covering the whole year, complete with official 2026 dates, to help you time your trip to Taiwan just right.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Many people visiting Taiwan for the first time ask me: \"When is the best time to come?\" My answer is usually\u2014it depends on which festival you want to catch. Taiwan has major folk and tourism events all year round, from stunning fireworks and tens of thousands of sky lanterns rising into the night, to the Mazu pilgrimage that stretches on foot for more than 300 kilometers. These are experiences you'll never find in a textbook\u2014you have to stand in the crowd yourself to truly understand them. Rather than picking between peak and off-peak seasons, choose the scene you most want to see, then work backward to decide your dates. Below, we lay out the year's key festivals season by season. And if you want to dig deeper into a particular city, you can also pair it with our<a href=\"\/en\/category\/taiwan-travel-guide\/\">Taiwan Travel Guide<\/a>for a complete read.<\/p>\n<p>Spring is Taiwan's most festival-packed season. During the stretch from Lunar New Year to the Lantern Festival, world-class light and lantern events unfold almost simultaneously across northern, central, and southern Taiwan.<strong>Taiwan Lantern Festival<\/strong>Hosted by the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and rotated among different counties and cities each year, the 2026 event is hosted by Chiayi County, with the official run announced as March 3 to March 15. The opening ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. on Lantern Festival night, March 3, with the lighting of the main lantern. This year's theme is \"Radiant Taiwan, Illuminating Chiayi,\" and the main lantern is named \"Light Bathing\u2014Alishan of the World.\" The plan features 1 main lantern, 2 secondary lanterns, and 22 themed lantern zones, showcasing over 600 works. Admission is free. We recommend taking the TRA train or HSR to Chiayi and then transferring to a shuttle bus to avoid the traffic jams of driving yourself. Around the same time, if you've ever seen that scene in films where sky lanterns covered in wishes are released into the night sky, that's<strong>Pingxi<\/strong>. The 2026 New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is hosted by the Tourism and Travel Department of the New Taipei City Government, which has announced two release sessions: February 27 at Pingxi Junior High School and March 3 at Shifen Square. Sky lantern release tickets on-site are mostly free but limited in number, and the collection method, timing, and shuttle arrangements for each session are adjusted every year. On the day, traffic control will be in place around Pingxi and Shifen, so we strongly recommend traveling by train or official shuttle bus.<\/p>\n<p>Also falling on the Lantern Festival but with a completely opposite style is Tainan's<strong>Yanshui Beehive Fireworks<\/strong>\u2014the \"fireworks shot straight at people\" event listed as one of Asia's most important festivals. Hosted by the Yanshui Wu Temple in Tainan, the 2026 procession spans two days: March 2 circling outside the town and March 3 circling within it. On Lantern Festival night (March 3), the main beehive fireworks are set off at 9 p.m. on the field of Yanshui Junior High School, in quantities several times greater than the day before. Anyone wanting to experience it must be fully armored: a full-face helmet, a thick jacket, gloves, a mask, and no exposed skin. Be sure to follow the official protective gear recommendations and know your limits.<\/p>\n<h4>Mazu Mania in March: The Annual Pilgrimage of Faith<\/h4>\n<p>Mazu is one of Taiwan's most widespread folk beliefs. The Mazu pilgrimages that begin around the third lunar month each year are Taiwan's largest and most moving religious events, known as \"Mazu Mania in March.\" Even if you're not religious, walking a stretch alongside the procession, or watching the palanquin pass at a fixed spot, lets you feel that collective energy. Of the two largest processions,<strong>Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage Procession<\/strong>is hosted by the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung. The route crosses four counties and cities\u2014Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi\u2014covering about 340 kilometers over 9 days and 8 nights. The 2026 official announcement sets the departure for the evening of April 17, with stops at temples such as Changhua Nanyao Temple, Xiluo Fuxing Temple, and Xingang Fengtian Temple before returning.<strong>Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage<\/strong>is characterized by having \"no fixed route.\" Everything depends on where the palanquin (nicknamed the \"Pink Supercar\") decides to go in the moment, making it harder to predict and far more dramatic. It departs from the Baishatun Gong Tian Temple in Tongxiao, Miaoli, and travels to and from the Beigang Chaotian Temple in Yunlin, covering about 400 kilometers round trip. The 2026 official announcement sets the palanquin departure for April 12, over 8 days and 7 nights. Those wanting to follow the pilgrimage can track the palanquin's real-time location via the official GPS. Practical tips for following the procession: wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water and electrolytes, watch for local real-time traffic controls, and respect the religious rituals and performance troupes. For detailed schedules, registration, and taboos, please refer to each temple's official announcements.<\/p>\n<p>As summer sets in, the pace slows down, but the Dragon Boat Festival (the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, June 19 in 2026) reignites the waterways. The Dragon Boat Festival is one of Taiwan's three major traditional holidays, and its highlight is the dragon boat races held everywhere. The sound of drums, the splashing water, and the cheering crowds make for summer's most energetic scenes. The 2026 holiday runs from June 19 to 21, with races starting simultaneously at many locations across Taiwan, including Taipei's Dajia Riverside Park, the Tainan Canal, Kaohsiung's Love River, and Lukang in Changhua. Most races are free to watch from the riverbanks\u2014find a shady spot, apply plenty of sunscreen, and you can watch all day. For actual schedules and venues, please refer to each organizer's official announcements.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of the year, New Year's Eve in Taiwan is a nationwide party, and the most iconic of all is the<strong>Taipei 101 New Year's Fireworks<\/strong>\u3002At the stroke of midnight every December 31, the fireworks launched from the facade of Taipei 101 light up the entire Xinyi District skyline within minutes, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. Extensive traffic and parking controls are rolled out around the Xinyi District in phases, while the MRT extends its operating hours (in past years running continuously for 42 hours), so nearly everyone relies on the MRT to get in and out that night. Beyond Taipei, major cities like Kaohsiung and Taichung also hold New Year's Eve galas and fireworks. For exact fireworks times, traffic controls, and MRT operating hours, refer to the latest announcements from the Taipei City Government and the event's official website.<\/p>\n<h4>Year-Round Festival Quick Reference Table<\/h4>\n<table class=\"lt-tbl\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Season<\/th>\n<th>Festival<\/th>\n<th>2026 Official Dates<\/th>\n<th>Location<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Spring (Lantern Festival)<\/td>\n<td>Taiwan Lantern Festival<\/td>\n<td>3\/3\u20133\/15<\/td>\n<td>Chiayi County<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Spring (Lantern Festival)<\/td>\n<td>Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival<\/td>\n<td>2\/27\u30013\/3<\/td>\n<td>Pingxi and Shifen, New Taipei<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Spring (Lantern Festival)<\/td>\n<td>Yanshui Beehive Fireworks<\/td>\n<td>3\/2\u20133\/3<\/td>\n<td>Yanshui, Tainan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Spring<\/td>\n<td>Dajia Mazu Procession<\/td>\n<td>Sets off 4\/17 (9 days)<\/td>\n<td>Departs from Taichung, spanning 4 counties\/cities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Spring<\/td>\n<td>Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage<\/td>\n<td>Sets off 4\/12 (8 days)<\/td>\n<td>Tongxiao, Miaoli to Beigang, Yunlin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Summer<\/td>\n<td>Dragon Boat Races<\/td>\n<td>6\/19\u20136\/21<\/td>\n<td>Waterways nationwide<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Winter<\/td>\n<td>New Year's Eve fireworks<\/td>\n<td>Late night on 12\/31<\/td>\n<td>Taipei 101 and other major cities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The times in the table are information published by official bodies or organizers for 2026 and may still be subject to minor adjustments, so please confirm again before you set off. These events draw enormous crowds, and cellular base stations often get congested\u2014yet those are exactly the moments when you most need to check shuttle times, track Mazu on GPS, or find your travel companions. We recommend preparing an eSIM before coming to Taiwan, so you have internet the moment you land and power on, with no need to queue up to buy a SIM card. For example, <a class=\"lt-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/holafly.sjv.io\/L0RdLZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\">Holafly Taiwan eSIM<\/a> are a hassle-free choice. To compare different internet plans, check out our <a href=\"\/en\/category\/esim-internet\/\">eSIM and Internet Guide<\/a>\u3002<\/p>\n<p><em>This section contains partner links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For details, see<a href=\"\/en\/affiliate-disclosure\/\">affiliate disclosure<\/a>\u3002<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h4>\n<h5>Can foreign travelers join the Mazu procession or the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks?<\/h5>\n<p>Yes. These are public events open to everyone\u2014no registration is needed to watch along the route or walk with the procession. But the pilgrimage is a religious ritual, so please be respectful. The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks are dangerous, so be sure to follow official recommendations and wear protective gear such as a full-face helmet, and know your limits.<\/p>\n<h5>Do I need a ticket to watch the Taipei 101 New Year's Eve fireworks?<\/h5>\n<p>Watching the fireworks from the outdoor streets and parks is free of charge. But because of the massive crowds and the traffic controls in the surrounding area, we recommend taking the MRT in early and choosing a good viewing spot. If you want to enter a specific restaurant or observation deck, that requires a separate fee and usually reservations made well in advance.<\/p>\n<h5>Can I release a Pingxi sky lantern myself? How much does it cost?<\/h5>\n<p>In Pingxi and Shifen, shops offer sky lantern release services year-round, with prices depending on the size of the lantern and the shop\u2014please refer to on-site notices. The \"group release\" on the day of the Sky Lantern Festival, however, mostly requires an officially issued sky lantern ticket. These are limited in number and the collection method varies each year, so please check the latest official announcements.<\/p>\n<h5>Are transportation and accommodation hard to book during these festivals?<\/h5>\n<p>Yes. Lantern festivals, New Year's Eve, and the Dragon Boat Festival holiday are all peak travel times. Accommodation in popular areas often sells out weeks or even months in advance, and tickets are in high demand too. We recommend booking as early as possible and making full use of the TRA, HSR, and official shuttle buses to avoid getting stuck driving on roads under traffic control.<\/p>\n<h5>If I don't want to be in the crowds, is there a more relaxed alternative?<\/h5>\n<p>Lantern festivals and sky lantern festivals usually run for a longer period. Visiting on a non-opening, non-weekend weekday afternoon means fewer crowds. Dragon boat races are held at many locations across Taiwan at the same time\u2014avoid the largest venues in Taipei and Tainan, and the small and medium-sized venues are just as enjoyable and easier to linger at.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A handy guide to Taiwan's major festivals throughout the year: the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival (Chiayi), the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks, the Dajia and Baishatun Mazu pilgrimages, the Dragon Boat Festival races, and the Taipei 101 New Year's fireworks. Includes official dates, locations and transport tips to help foreign travelers time their visit just right.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-taiwan-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=766"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":831,"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766\/revisions\/831"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalriceball.website\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}