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For one or two nights every February or March, the small mountain village of Pingxi becomes the most photogenic place in Taiwan. Hundreds of paper sky lanterns lift into the night sky in coordinated mass releases — wave after wave through the evening. In 2026 each venue ran nine waves, 100 lanterns at a time at Pingxi Junior High School and 150 at Shifen Square. From the ground, you stand in a crowd of locals and travelers, watching the lanterns rise like slow orange fireflies against the black mountain silhouette, then drift west on the wind. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is one of those experiences that justifies a trip to Taiwan all on its own.
The festival is also the most-difficult-to-plan major event in Taiwan. The dates float (they’re tied to the lunar calendar, so they fall on different days each year). The crowds are enormous. The shuttle buses fill up. The lantern release requires a voucher you can only collect on-site. And the mountain village isn’t built for the crowds that pour in on release nights. Done well, it’s magical. Done poorly, you’ll spend 4 hours in transit and queueing for 20 minutes of actual lantern release.
This guide is the practical, no-fluff plan for the Pingxi Lantern Festival: how the 2026 festival ran, how to get there from Taipei, the voucher system, what time to arrive, the mass-release schedule, what to expect, and the small details that separate a great festival night from a stressful one.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival at a Glance
- Dates: Set each year by the lunar calendar; New Taipei City posts the 2027 dates on its tourism site about a month ahead (2026: February 27 at Pingxi Junior High School, March 3 at Shifen Sky Lantern Square)
- Mass releases: Nine waves per venue in 2026; wave times are set in each year’s official programme
- Per-release count: 100 lanterns per wave at Pingxi, 150 at Shifen (2026)
- Total lanterns: 900 at Pingxi and 1,350 at Shifen in 2026
- Cost: Free to attend; lantern release voucher is free (need to claim early); buy-your-own lantern ~NT$200
- Crowd: Large; expect packed streets on release nights
- Get there: Shuttle bus from Muzha Zoo, by Taipei Zoo MRT Station, or TRA train to Ruifang + Pingxi Line
- Best time to arrive: Morning: in 2026 the free mass release vouchers were handed out from 10:30 AM
- What to wear: Layers + waterproof outer shell
- Best for: Photography, Lunar New Year travelers, culture-focused trips
What Is the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (平溪天燈節) is the New Taipei City Government’s annual celebration of Taiwan’s traditional sky lantern release, held in the Pingxi District around the 15th day of the first lunar month — the official Lantern Festival (元宵節, the day that marks the end of Lunar New Year). The 15th day falls on different Gregorian calendar days each year depending on the lunar cycle, so the festival’s date moves year to year.
In 2026 the festival had two main nights, one on the Pingxi Junior High School playing field and one at Shifen Sky Lantern Square. Each night sent up nine waves of lanterns, with 100 in each wave at Pingxi and 150 at Shifen. The result is the iconic photograph of waves of glowing lanterns rising in coordinated bursts against the dark mountains.
How the 2026 Festival Ran: Dates and Schedule
New Taipei City announces each year’s dates roughly a month before the festival. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival 2026 was held on two main dates:
- February 27, 2026 (Friday): Mass release at the Pingxi Junior High School playing field
- March 3, 2026 (Tuesday): Mass release at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (near Shifen Waterfall)
The wider Taipei Lantern Festival ran from February 25 to March 15 in 2026, with lantern displays in central Taipei. Check the event calendar on Taipei Travel (travel.taipei) for the next edition’s dates and venues.
Mass Release Schedule (Both Festival Nights)
The schedule is similar both nights, running roughly:
- 4:00–5:30 PM: Performance stages active. Food vendors set up. (Vouchers go out much earlier: from 10:30 AM in 2026.)
- 6:00 PM: Evening programme starts; nine release waves follow at each venue, at the times in that year’s official programme
- 9:30 PM: Event closes
The History and Meaning of the Sky Lantern
The Pingxi sky lantern tradition has roots in two origin stories.
The first is military: villagers in the Pingxi area used to flee into the mountains to escape bandits. Once the danger had passed, the men of the village would release lanterns to signal to families and neighbors hiding in the mountains that it was safe to return home. The lanterns became literal beacons of safe passage.
The second is agricultural: women released lanterns at the start of spring planting season, wishing for healthy harvests and many children. Each color of lantern symbolized a different wish — red for health, yellow for wealth, blue for career, and so on.
Modern Pingxi has continued both traditions. The lantern is now a personal prayer or wish: visitors write on each side in calligraphy ink, then release the lantern into the night sky. The Taipei County Government took over running the festival in 1999 and spread it to Jingtong, Pingxi and Shifen, building on the village’s traditional practice.
How to Get to the Pingxi Lantern Festival from Taipei
The festival venues are in the hills east of Taipei, and the New Taipei City Government runs special shuttle services on festival days. Public transport is far easier than driving.
Option 1: Shuttle Bus from Muzha Zoo (Recommended)
The easiest option. Special festival shuttles run from Muzha Zoo, by Taipei Zoo MRT Station, to the Pingxi venues on festival days.
- From central Taipei: MRT Wenhu (Brown) Line to Taipei Zoo Station
- Shuttle: In 2026 shuttles ran from 9 AM; the outbound fare was NT$15–50 depending on route, and the ride back was free
- Where it drops you: At stops serving the festival sites; in 2026 the routes ran to Baishi Village (Zhongpu) and Nanshan Bridge, Shifen, so check the year’s route sheet
Option 2: TRA Train + Pingxi Line
The traditional route. Takes longer but works on non-festival days too.
- Take TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station (35–60 min, NT$49–76)
- Transfer at Ruifang to the Pingxi Railway Line
- Pingxi Line trains to Pingxi or Shifen (30 min, NT$15–20)
- Total travel time: Depends on the wait at Ruifang; plan the connection on Taiwan Railway’s timetable
- Note: Pingxi Line trains run hourly on regular days, more frequently on festival nights
Option 3: Guided Tour
Several operators run guided tours from central Taipei that include transport, voucher access, and dinner. NT$1,500–2,500 per person. Useful if you don’t want to navigate the crowd logistics alone.
Option 4: Taxi or Private Driver
Roughly NT$1,500–2,500 each way; expect significant traffic delays on festival nights. Not recommended unless you have specific reasons.
How to Get a Lantern Release Voucher
The free public mass lantern release uses a voucher system. Vouchers are distributed first-come-first-served on festival day at the venue.
Process
- Arrive at the venue early — in 2026 distribution started at 10:30 AM, so aim to be there by then, and check that year’s arrangements before you go.
- Look for the voucher distribution booth at the main venue entrance.
- Show ID; voucher staff give you a wristband or paper voucher assigning you to a specific release time slot.
- Hold onto your voucher; it’s your entry to the lantern release area.
- Return to the lantern release area in time for the slot printed on your voucher.
- Staff assign you a lantern and help you write wishes on it.
- You release with your group during your time slot.
What If Vouchers Run Out?
Vouchers do run out — usually by mid-afternoon. If you can’t get a free voucher:
- Buy your own lantern at one of the many lantern shops near the venue (NT$200 single color; NT$250–350 multi-color). You can release it from the train tracks or designated areas, just not at the official mass release.
- Watch from the surrounding hills or main road. The lantern release is visible from anywhere within several hundred meters of the venue.
- Visit during a non-festival day. Year-round, you can release lanterns at Shifen Old Street — no voucher required.
What to Expect on Festival Night
The Pingxi Lantern Festival is part folk celebration, part traffic challenge, part cultural rite. A timeline of what your evening will look like:
4:00 PM — Arrival
The shuttle drops you near the venue entrance. The festival area is packed with food vendors (sausages, grilled squid, taro balls), small craft stalls, and signs to the various event zones. The performance stage hosts local musicians and traditional Taiwanese opera performances throughout the afternoon.
4:30 PM — Eat and Wander
Pick up dinner — Pingxi Old Street is famous for its food, including the famous Pingxi-style stinky tofu, bamboo tube rice, and beef noodle soup. Buy your lantern if you want a personal one (in addition to the free mass release).
5:30 PM — Stage Performances
Traditional music, dance, opera. The lighting on stage shifts as dusk falls.
6:00 PM — Evening Programme and Mass Releases
The signature moment. Two hundred-plus lanterns rise in coordinated waves from the playing field. The crowd cheers. The photo most travelers come for. Further waves follow through the evening, nine in all at each venue in 2026.
9:30 PM — Closing
The crowd disperses. The shuttle queue back to Muzha Zoo builds, so allow time to board a shuttle home.
What to Bring
Cash. Most food vendors and lantern shops are cash-only. NT$1,500 in small bills is enough for the day.
Camera with low-light capability. Phone cameras work — but a real camera with manual exposure produces dramatically better photos. Bring a small portable tripod if you have one (helpful for video).
Waterproof layers. The mountain air is cooler than Taipei, and light rain is common.
Comfortable shoes with grip. The venue can be muddy if it rained. Stone-paved alleys around Shifen are slippery.
Compact umbrella. Light rain is normal. Heavy rain occasionally cancels releases — confirm before traveling.
Portable charger. Cellular signals strain under crowd conditions; charge often.
Snacks and water. Even with food vendors, lines can be long.
EasyCard. Pre-loaded for the shuttle and train transit.
Combining the Festival with Other Stops
The Pingxi area has several iconic spots worth visiting on the same day as the festival (or as a separate day trip):
Shifen Old Street and Shifen Waterfall
The neighboring village of Shifen — a short ride on the Pingxi Line — is where year-round sky lantern releases happen beside the active railway. Shifen Waterfall is Taiwan’s largest curtain-type waterfall. Combine with the festival for a full day in the Pingxi area.
Jiufen Old Street
The lantern-lit mountain village north of Pingxi. Many festival visitors combine an afternoon at Jiufen with an evening at the Pingxi release.
Houtong Cat Village
One stop before Shifen on the Pingxi Line. The “cat village” is exactly what it sounds like — a former mining town where hundreds of friendly resident cats have made the village a famous photo stop.
Pingxi Old Street
The main pedestrian street through the village of Pingxi. Older and less touristy than Shifen, with traditional restaurants and craft shops. Worth 1 hour.
What If You Miss the Festival Dates?
If you miss the festival dates:
- Visit Shifen Old Street outside the festival: The lantern shops there will sell you a lantern, help you write your wishes on it and release it beside the railway tracks, with trains still running through the street. Magical even without the crowd.
- Houtong Cat Village + Shifen Waterfall: Excellent day trip that captures the Pingxi-area magic without the festival itself.
- Wait for next year: The Lantern Festival is annual; dates float with the lunar calendar.
Tips for a Better Festival Experience
Arrive early. If you want a voucher, be there when distribution opens; in 2026 that was 10:30 AM.
Bring a friend or two. Splitting voucher collection and food queuing makes the day easier.
Photograph from multiple angles. The wide shot of a whole wave of lanterns rising together is iconic. Close-ups of individual lanterns with the crowd as silhouette are equally photogenic.
Don’t get separated. Cell signals are unreliable in the crowd. Establish a meeting point in advance.
Layer for cold and rain. Mountain weather changes fast.
Use a portable phone holder for video. The mass release looks incredible on video, especially in slow-motion.
Avoid driving. Roads to Pingxi are narrow; festival nights see severe traffic.
Carry trash with you. The mountain village relies on volunteer cleanup; pack out what you bring in.
Respect the locals. Pingxi is a working village. Don’t trespass on private property for photos; don’t block local traffic; keep noise reasonable in residential areas.
Common Mistakes
Arriving at 5 PM expecting a voucher. They’re long gone by then.
Driving from Taipei. Severe traffic; limited parking.
Wearing only light clothes. Mountain cold catches travelers off-guard.
Missing the shuttle home. Find the last return departure in New Taipei City’s festival transport notice for that year, and don’t linger past the 9:30 PM close.
Photographing the mass release without setting your camera correctly. Test exposure in advance; don’t fumble in the moment.
Releasing your own lantern without staff help. Lighting and releasing safely requires experience — use the lantern shop staff.
Treating the festival as a quiet event. It draws huge crowds; it’s noisy, packed, and chaotic in the best way.
Related Taipei guides
- Jiufen Day Trip from Taipei: The Complete Guide
- Tamsui Day Trip from Taipei: Sunsets, Seafood & Ferries
- Yehliu Geopark Day Trip from Taipei: Complete Guide
- Wulai Day Trip from Taipei: Waterfalls & Atayal Culture
- Keelung Day Trip from Taipei: Night Market & Port Views
- Yangmingshan Day Trip: Hiking & Hot Springs
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
The festival floats with the lunar calendar each year. In 2027 the Lantern Festival itself falls on Saturday, February 20, and the sky-lantern dates appear on tour.ntpc.gov.tw about a month ahead. The 2026 releases were on February 27 (Pingxi Junior High School) and March 3 (Shifen Sky Lantern Square).
How much does the Pingxi Lantern Festival cost?
Free to attend. The mass release voucher is free but requires early arrival. Buy-your-own lanterns at Shifen cost NT$200–350. Round-trip transit from central Taipei is about NT$130 on shuttle + train.
How do I get a lantern release voucher?
Arrive at the venue in the morning: in 2026 the free vouchers went out from 10:30 AM. Vouchers are distributed first-come-first-served at the main entrance. Wristbands or paper vouchers assign you to a specific release time slot.
How do I get to the Pingxi Lantern Festival from Taipei?
The easiest way is the special festival shuttle bus from Muzha Zoo, by Taipei Zoo MRT Station. Alternatively, take the TRA train to Ruifang, then the Pingxi Line to Pingxi or Shifen.
How crowded is the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
Very — release nights pack the village’s streets. Arrive early, layer for crowds, and plan to be patient with transit and food queues.
Can I release a sky lantern in Pingxi any time of year?
Yes — Shifen Old Street has lantern shops year-round. The annual festival adds the mass coordinated releases; outside it, the shops will help you write and release a single lantern, subject to the weather and local safety rules on the day.
What’s the difference between Shifen and Pingxi sky lanterns?
Pingxi is the home of the original tradition and the village that hosts the major festival. Shifen is a neighboring village famous year-round for railway-tracks lantern releases. The two are a short train ride apart on the Pingxi Line.
What should I wear to the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
Layered clothing (mountain air is cooler than Taipei), a waterproof outer shell, comfortable closed-toe shoes with grip. Late February in the mountains can be chilly, so check the forecast for Pingxi itself, not just Taipei.
Can I bring kids to the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
Yes, but with planning. The crowds are dense; bring a baby carrier (strollers struggle); ensure kids are dressed warmly; plan rest stops; leave by 9 PM before the crowd exit chaos.
Final Take
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is one of those rare events that justifies an entire trip to Taiwan. The mass release of hundreds of glowing lanterns rising into the mountain sky is genuinely magical, and the village’s lantern tradition gives the whole experience a cultural depth that few modern tourist events can match. Plan ahead: arrive early, get the voucher, dress for the mountain weather, and stay until the crowd thins. You’ll ride the shuttle back to Taipei with one of the best photographs you’ll ever take.
Photo Credits
Pingxi lantern release at dusk: 平溪天燈節1 鄭惠霙 (cropped) by Vickie399 鄭惠霙, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Panda lanterns at Pingxi: 平溪天燈 by 戴進元, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Crowds photographing the Pingxi release: 平溪天燈節 鄭惠霙 by Vickie399鄭惠霙, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.