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 — first 150 at once, then 150 more 20 minutes later, then 150 more, for three or four cycles. 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 50,000+ visitors who pour in each release night. 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 in 2026: confirmed dates, 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
- 2026 dates: February 27, 2026 (at Pingxi Junior School) and March 3, 2026 (at Shifen Sky Lantern Square)
- Mass releases: 6:00 PM, 6:20, 6:40, 7:00 PM… every 20 minutes through 9:00 PM
- Per-release count: ~150 lanterns each
- Total lanterns: ~1,350 across the night
- Cost: Free to attend; lantern release voucher is free (need to claim early); buy-your-own lantern ~NT$200
- Crowd: 50,000+ per release night
- Get there: Shuttle bus from MRT Muzha Station, or TRA train to Ruifang + Pingxi Line
- Best time to arrive: By noon for the official mass release voucher
- 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.
The festival features 2–3 mass release events at venues in the Pingxi area (typically the Pingxi Junior School playing field and Shifen Sky Lantern Square). Each release sends approximately 150 lanterns into the sky simultaneously, with releases every 20 minutes through the evening. The result is the iconic photograph of waves of glowing lanterns rising in coordinated bursts against the dark mountains.
2026 Festival Dates and Schedule
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival 2026 will be held on two main dates:
- February 27, 2026 (Friday): Mass release at Pingxi Junior School playing field
- March 3, 2026 (Tuesday): Mass release at Shifen Sky Lantern Square (near Shifen Waterfall)
The wider Taipei Lantern Festival runs from approximately February 25 through March 15, 2026, with lantern displays at various central Taipei locations.
Mass Release Schedule (Both Festival Nights)
The schedule is similar both nights, running roughly:
- 4:00–5:30 PM: Voucher distribution begins. Performance stages active. Food vendors set up.
- 6:00 PM: First mass release (~150 lanterns)
- 6:20 PM: Second mass release
- 6:40 PM: Third mass release
- 7:00 PM: Fourth mass release
- 7:20–9:00 PM: Continued releases every 20 minutes
- 9:30 PM: Final release / event closes
The History and Meaning of the Sky Lantern
The Pingxi sky lantern tradition dates back at least 150 years and has roots in two origin stories.
The first is military: villagers in the Pingxi area used to flee into the mountains during winter when bandits were most active. After the worst of winter 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 festival itself was promoted as a cultural tourism event by the New Taipei City Government starting in 1999, building on the village’s traditional practice.
How to Get to the Pingxi Lantern Festival from Taipei
The festival venues are 30–35 km east of Taipei, and the New Taipei City Government runs special shuttle services for festival nights. Public transport is far easier than driving.
Option 1: Shuttle Bus from Muzha MRT (Recommended)
The easiest option. Special festival shuttles run from MRT Muzha Station directly to the Pingxi venues on festival nights.
- From central Taipei: MRT Wenhu (Brown) Line to Muzha Station
- Shuttle: Free or low-cost; runs every 5–15 minutes from late afternoon
- Travel time: 30–40 minutes by shuttle
- Where it drops you: Directly at the festival venue
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: 90 minutes each way
- 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 — by noon is recommended; by 2 PM at latest.
- 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 10–15 minutes before your assigned time slot.
- 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 — First Mass Release
The signature moment. Two hundred-plus lanterns rise in coordinated waves from the playing field. The crowd cheers. The photo most travelers come for. Releases continue every 20 minutes through 9 PM.
9:30 PM — Closing
The crowd disperses. The shuttle queue back to Muzha MRT builds. Expect 30–60 minutes 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. Mountain weather in late February can be 10–15°C colder than central Taipei.
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 — 5 minutes by Pingxi Line train — is where year-round sky lantern releases happen on the active railway. Shifen Waterfall, 25 minutes walk from Shifen Station, is the largest waterfall in northern Taiwan. Combine with the festival for a full day in the Pingxi area.
Jiufen Old Street
The lantern-lit mountain village 30 minutes 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 can’t make Feb 27 or March 3, 2026:
- Visit Shifen Old Street any day: Year-round, you can buy a lantern (NT$200), write wishes, and release it from the active railway tracks. 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. By noon if you want a voucher; by 2 PM at the latest.
Bring a friend or two. Splitting voucher collection and food queuing makes the day easier.
Photograph from multiple angles. The wide shot of all 150 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. Last shuttle from the venue is around 10 PM. Don’t linger past 9:30.
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. 50,000+ people; it’s noisy, crowded, and chaotic in the best way.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Pingxi Lantern Festival 2026?
February 27, 2026 (at Pingxi Junior School) and March 3, 2026 (at Shifen Sky Lantern Square). The festival floats with the lunar calendar each year.
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 by noon. 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 MRT Muzha Station. Alternatively, take the TRA train to Ruifang, then the Pingxi Line to Pingxi or Shifen.
How crowded is the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
Very — 50,000+ people on each festival night. 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, but individual lantern release is available 365 days a year.
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. Both are within 10 minutes of each other 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 10–15°C / 50–60°F.
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 centuries-old 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. By 10 PM, you’ll be on the shuttle back to Taipei with one of the best photographs you’ll ever take.
Leave a Reply