Taipei Festivals Calendar: What’s On in 2026.

Taipei runs on a festival calendar that’s deeper and more frequent than most travelers realize. Beyond Lunar New Year and the famous Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, the city hosts dozens of cultural celebrations, religious processions, food festivals, and seasonal events throughout the year. For travelers, knowing the calendar matters — both for planning around the events you want to catch (the Pingxi lantern release, Pride Parade, Mid-Autumn moon viewing) and avoiding closures during the big holiday windows (many small businesses close over the Lunar New Year holiday).

This Taipei festivals calendar covers every major festival, public holiday, and cultural event in the year ahead, from Pride at the end of October 2026 to the 2027 holidays, organized month-by-month with key dates, details, and tips for travelers wondering whether to time a trip around a specific celebration.

Taipei Festivals: Key Dates at a Glance

• February 4–10, 2027: Lunar New Year holiday (Saturday, Feb 6 is the actual Lunar New Year day)
• Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival: New Taipei City posts the dates about a month ahead on tour.ntpc.gov.tw
• Taipei Lantern Festival: dates and venues on Taipei Travel’s event calendar (the 2026 displays ran February 25 – March 15)
• February 28: Peace Memorial Day (public holiday)
• April 5, 2027: Tomb Sweeping Festival (Qingming), with a holiday break from Saturday, April 3 to Tuesday, April 6
• Spring: Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage (central Taiwan; Dajia Jenn Lann Temple announces the dates)
• April–May: Bao’an Cultural Festival
• June 9, 2027: Dragon Boat Festival
• September 15, 2027: Mid-Autumn Festival (a single-day holiday, on a Wednesday)
• September 28, 2027: Confucius Birthday Ceremony
• October 10: Republic of China National Day (in 2027, a long weekend from Saturday, October 9 to Monday, October 11)
• October 31, 2026: Taipei Pride Parade (East Asia’s largest)
• November: Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival
• December 31: Taipei 101 New Year fireworks

January

Western New Year (January 1)

Public holiday. Most major businesses closed; tourist sites stay open.

Yangmingshan Flower Festival Begins (Late January)

Annual flower festival in Yangmingshan National Park begins late January or early February (depending on weather). Cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, calla lilies. Runs through mid-March.

Dihua Street Lunar New Year Market (Late January Onward)

Before Lunar New Year, the Dihua Street market fills the old street with traditional sweets, nuts, dried foods, and gift items at heavily decorated stalls. The 2026 market ran from January 31 to February 15; check Taipei Travel for the next edition’s dates.

February

Lunar New Year (February 6, 2027, with Feb 4–10 Holiday)

Taiwan’s biggest holiday. In 2027 the actual New Year’s Day is Saturday, February 6, and the official public holiday runs from Thursday, February 4 to Wednesday, February 10. Major events:

• Lunar New Year’s Eve (Friday, Feb 5): Family reunion dinner; many businesses close.
• New Year’s Day (Saturday, Feb 6): Family visits to temples. The Grand Hyatt Hotel puts on lion dances; check with the hotel for the time and cost.
• Through the holiday: For lion dancing at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall or the Red House in Ximending, look at each venue’s own announcements for its 2027 Lunar New Year programme.

Note for travelers: Opening over the holiday varies from business to business, so check before you set out for a particular shop or restaurant. Plan around closures. Book hotels far in advance.

Peace Memorial Day (February 28)

Public holiday commemorating the 228 Incident of 1947. Many cultural events and public discussions.

Taipei Lantern Festival

Free outdoor lantern displays, designed to celebrate the end of Lunar New Year. Family-friendly. The 2026 edition ran from February 25 to March 15 at Yuanshan Park and Ximending; venues, dates and opening hours change from one year to the next, so check Taipei Travel’s event calendar before you go.

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

The famous mass sky lantern release in Pingxi village. The 2026 festival was held on February 27 at Pingxi Junior High School and March 3 at Shifen Sky Lantern Square, with nine releases at each venue: 100 lanterns at a time at Pingxi and 150 at Shifen. New Taipei City puts each year’s dates and timetable on its tourism site about a month before. Free release vouchers were handed out at the venue service desk from 10:30 AM on each event day in 2026, so get there early if you want one.

Lantern Festival (February 20, 2027)

Celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which in 2027 is Saturday, February 20. The Taiwan Lantern Festival (the national event) is in Miaoli County in 2027, around Zhunan and Toufen Sports Park, tentatively from February 20 to March 7.

March

Cherry Blossom Season Peak (Late February – Mid-March)

Best cherry blossom viewing in Yangmingshan, Tianyuan Temple in Tamsui, and several smaller spots. Free.

April

Tomb Sweeping Festival / Qingming (April 5, 2027)

Public holiday, with a break from Saturday, April 3 to Tuesday, April 6 in 2027. Families visit ancestors’ tombs. Most businesses are open as usual; the day has cultural rather than commercial impact for tourists.

Mazu Pilgrimage

One of the world’s largest religious processions. Centered in central Taiwan (starting and ending at Zhenlan Temple in Dajia, Taichung), with a route through Changhua, Yunlin and Chiayi. The 2026 pilgrimage set off on April 17; the temple announces each year’s dates. Atmospheric and culturally significant.

Bao’an Cultural Festival (Late April Through May)

Held at Bao’an Temple (near Yuanshan MRT). Taiwanese opera performances, religious processions, and folk arts.

Yangmingshan Calla Lily Festival (Mid-March – Mid-April)

Calla lily fields at Zhuzihu in Yangmingshan National Park. Best window for one of the year’s most photogenic flower scenes. Check each farm’s charges when you arrive.

May

Buddha’s Birthday (Date Varies by Lunar Calendar)

Major Buddhist celebration. Major Taipei temples host special ceremonies. Date typically in May.

Bao’an Cultural Festival Continues

The Bao’an Cultural Festival’s main events typically run through May.

June

Dragon Boat Festival (June 9, 2027)

One of Taiwan’s three major lunar festivals. Dajia Riverside Park hosts the city’s most famous dragon boat races. Families eat zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves). Public holiday. Free to watch races.

July

The summer doldrums — fewer major festivals, but several smaller events:

• Summer beach culture: Fulong Beach, Bitou Cape
• Various local night markets and food events
• Concerts and outdoor music at Da’an Forest Park

August

Ghost Month (Date Varies by Lunar Calendar)

The 7th lunar month — Taiwanese tradition of honoring ancestors. Smaller religious processions; some cultural traditions (avoiding swimming after dark, etc.). For tourists, mainly cultural context rather than visible events.

Father’s Day (August 8)

Symbolic (in Mandarin, “8/8” sounds like “papa”). Restaurants do family menus.

September

Mid-Autumn Festival (September 15, 2027)

Major family holiday. In 2027 the festival falls on Wednesday, September 15, a single-day public holiday, so check the government work calendar before planning travel around it. Family BBQs at riverside parks (Dajia, Chengmei), mooncakes everywhere, moon-viewing parties. Many small businesses close for the holiday.

Confucius Birthday Ceremony (September 28, 2027)

The annual Confucius Birthday Ceremony at Taipei Confucius Temple, held every September 28, honors Confucius with traditional music and stylized dancing. Free to attend (limited spectator capacity; arrive early).

Taipei Jazz Festival (September–October)

Annual outdoor jazz festival. Da’an Forest Park outdoor concerts (free); various ticketed events at venues across the city.

October

Republic of China National Day (October 10)

Taiwan’s national day. A public holiday with ceremonies and cultural events; check the Presidential Office and Taipei City announcements for that year’s programme.

Taipei Pride Parade (Late October)

East Asia’s largest Pride Parade, held on Saturday, October 31 in 2026. The march starts and finishes at Taipei City Hall Plaza, and nearly 150,000 people took part in 2025. Free to attend. After-party events at Red House LGBTQ+ district.

NTU Azalea Festival (Late September – Early October)

National Taiwan University campus hosts an annual azalea festival when their campus blooms. Free, with cultural events on campus.

November

Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival (Early November)

The annual celebration of Taipei’s unofficial national dish. Top shops compete in categories (best red-braised, best clear-broth, etc.). Tastings, competitions, and food events at various venues across the city.

Silvergrass Season at Caoling Historic Trail

Mid-October through November. The famous Caoling Trail’s silvergrass blooms create one of northern Taiwan’s most photogenic landscape moments.

Foliage Season in Taipingshan (Yilan)

Late October through mid-November. The forest area in Yilan County offers mountain scenery and seasonal red foliage.

December

Christmas Season

Taipei isn’t traditionally Christian-Christmas-focused, but malls and commercial centers deck the halls. Xinyi District puts up Christmas illuminations.

Taipei New Year’s Eve (December 31)

A major annual celebration that draws hundreds of thousands to central Taipei. Taipei 101 hosts the world-famous fireworks at midnight. Free outdoor concerts on the City Hall plaza. Hundreds of thousands gather in Xinyi District.

Best viewing spots for fireworks:

• Xinyi District streets (loudest, most crowded)
• Elephant Mountain (best angle, very crowded)
• Marriott Hotel rooftop (premium, advance booking)
• City Hall plaza (free concerts, food)
• Various Xinyi rooftop bars (advance booking)

Festivals That Move with the Lunar Calendar

Several major Taiwanese festivals follow the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates shift each year:

• Lunar New Year: Late January or February
• Lantern Festival: 15th day of 1st lunar month (Feb-March)
• Buddha’s Birthday: 8th day of 4th lunar month (April-May)
• Dragon Boat Festival: 5th day of 5th lunar month (May-June)
• Mid-Autumn Festival: 15th day of 8th lunar month (September-October)
• Ghost Month: 7th lunar month (August)

For 2027, the public holiday dates in this calendar come from Taiwan’s official government calendar.

Planning Around Taipei’s Festivals

Best Festivals to Time a Trip Around

1. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (watch New Taipei City’s tourism site for the dates): The most-iconic Taipei festival.
2. Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept 15, 2027): The most accessible cultural experience for visitors.
3. Taipei Pride Parade (October 31, 2026): East Asia’s biggest Pride event.
4. Lunar New Year (Feb 4–10, 2027): Atmospheric if you can plan around closures.
5. Dragon Boat Festival (June 9, 2027): Photogenic and culturally significant.

Festivals to Avoid (or Plan Carefully Around)

• Lunar New Year week: Many businesses close; hotels expensive.
• Mid-Autumn holiday: Book transport and riverside BBQ spots early. In 2027 it is a single Wednesday, September 15.
• Ghost Month: No major travel implications, just cultural context.

Festivals Worth a Detour

• Mazu Pilgrimage (dates from Dajia Jenn Lann Temple): Central Taiwan focus; worth a Taichung side trip if your dates align.
• Taiwan Lantern Festival (Miaoli County, tentatively Feb 20 – March 7, 2027): The national-level lantern festival, not in Taipei.
• Confucius Birthday Ceremony (September 28, 2027): Confucian ritual with music and dance, once a year.

Weekly and Monthly Smaller Events

Beyond the major festivals, Taipei hosts ongoing smaller events:

• Weekly Eslite Songyan events: Book launches, design shows, mini-festivals.
• Sunday Dihua Street Flea Market: Vintage and antique vendors.
• Saturday Zhongshan Linear Park markets: Pop-up design fairs.
• Songshan Cultural and Creative Park events: Rotating cultural exhibitions.
• National Concert Hall performances: Classical music and theater.
• Taipei Arena, TICC concerts: Major touring international artists.

How to Find Festival Information

Official Sources

• Taipei Travel official site (travel.taipei): The most comprehensive source. Event calendar with dates and details.
• Taipei Tourism Office Facebook page: Current event announcements.
• Specific festival websites: Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, Taipei Lantern Festival, etc. all have official sites.

Travel Blogs and News

• Taiwan Obsessed: Most-comprehensive English-language Taiwan travel blog.
• Taiwanderers: Major travel blog with strong festival coverage.
• Time Out Taipei: Weekly events listings.

Social Media

• Follow specific venue Instagrams (Eslite, MoCA Taipei, Songshan Cultural Park, etc.) for upcoming events.
• Use hashtags like #TaipeiFestival #PingxiLantern to find current event posts.

Tips for Festival Travelers

Book hotels far in advance. Major festivals (Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn, Pingxi) create domestic travel surges. Hotels fill up 2+ months ahead.

Check business closures. Some festivals (Lunar New Year especially) shut down many small restaurants and shops.

Arrive early at major events. Pingxi lantern release vouchers are handed out at the venue on the day, and the Pride Parade draws big crowds, so check each organiser’s page for timings.

Dress for the weather. Outdoor festivals in winter (Pingxi, Lantern Festival) need warm layers. Summer festivals (Dragon Boat) need rain prep.

Public transport runs but is busier. Plan extra transit time during major festival days.

Festival foods are part of the experience. Try mooncakes at Mid-Autumn, zongzi at Dragon Boat, tangyuan at Lantern Festival.

Respect religious traditions. Temple festivals are real worship events. Dress modestly; don’t photograph close-up of praying worshippers.

Cash matters at festival markets. Small stalls at temple festivals and outdoor events are often cash-only.

Common Festival Mistakes

Visiting during Lunar New Year without booking far in advance. Worst hotel prices of the year.

Trying to do everything during one festival visit. Pick 1–2 major events; don’t try to attend everything.

Turning up at the Pingxi sky lantern festival late in the day expecting a voucher. In 2026 the free vouchers were handed out from 10:30 AM on each event day; get there early.

Underestimating Mid-Autumn crowds. Arrive early at the riverside BBQ parks on the holiday.

Arriving at the Pride Parade at the wrong time. The Rainbow Market, the assembly and the march each start at a different time; check the timetable on the organizer’s site, taiwanpride.lgbt, before you go.

Going to Taipei expecting Western Christmas. Christmas exists but isn’t a major Taipei holiday. New Year’s Eve is a much bigger event.

October’s headline act deserves its own entry. Taiwan LGBT+ Pride, held on Saturday, October 31 in 2026, is a free march that begins and ends outside Taipei City Hall. Nearly 150,000 people took part in 2025, and it is the biggest event of its kind in East Asia, in the country that in 2019 became the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Our Taipei Pride guide has the route, the timings and the practicalities.

In 2027 the Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 6 February, with the official holiday running from Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February and the Lantern Festival on Saturday 20 February. Our guide to Chinese New Year in Taipei covers what closes and when, Dihua Street’s New Year market, and how to plan around the island-wide travel rush.

Related Taipei guides

• Taipei Culture & Traditions: A Visitor’s Guide
• Taiwan vs China: Cultural Differences Tourists Should Know
• Tipping in Taipei: Do You or Don’t You?
• LGBT Travel to Taipei: Complete Guide
• Things to Do in Taipei: 45+ Must-See Attractions & Experiences
• Taipei Travel Guide : The Complete Planning Resource

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Lunar New Year 2027?

Saturday, February 6, 2027, with the official public holiday running from Thursday, February 4 to Wednesday, February 10.

When is the next Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival?

New Taipei City publishes the dates and release programme on its tourism site, tour.ntpc.gov.tw, about a month before the festival. In 2026 it was held on February 27 (Pingxi Junior High School) and March 3 (Shifen Sky Lantern Square), with nine lantern releases at each venue.

What festivals are coming up in Taipei?

The Pride Parade (October 31, 2026) and the Taipei 101 New Year fireworks, then in 2027 Lunar New Year (February 6, with the holiday February 4–10), the Lantern Festival (February 20) with the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and the city’s lantern displays, Dragon Boat Festival (June 9), Mid-Autumn Festival (September 15), and Confucius Birthday (September 28).

Are festivals in Taipei free to attend?

Most are free. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is free if you get a voucher. Mid-Autumn BBQ is free. Pride Parade is free. Some smaller events (Taiwan Lantern Festival ticketed shows; major concerts) require tickets.

When is the Taipei Pride Parade 2026?

Saturday, October 31, 2026; it is typically held in late October. The march starts and finishes at Taipei City Hall Plaza.

What’s the best festival in Taipei for tourists?

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is the most iconic and most-photographed. Mid-Autumn Festival is the most accessible for visitors (BBQ at riverside parks, mooncakes everywhere). Lunar New Year is the most culturally significant but requires careful planning around closures.

What businesses close during Lunar New Year?

Many small restaurants, traditional shops, neighborhood markets, and family-run businesses take time off, each on its own schedule, so check before you go. Major chains, tourist sites, hotels, and chain restaurants stay open with adjusted hours. Plan around closures or stay at hotels with breakfast included.

Are there fireworks in Taipei?

Yes — Taipei 101 hosts world-famous fireworks at midnight on December 31. Free to watch from anywhere in Xinyi District. Smaller fireworks for Lunar New Year and other holidays.

When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2027?

Wednesday, September 15, 2027, a single-day public holiday. Family BBQs at riverside parks; moon-viewing at elevated spots.

Final Take

Taipei’s festival calendar is one of the city’s quieter strengths — a year-round rhythm of cultural celebrations, religious processions, food festivals, and seasonal events that reward travelers willing to plan around them. The five top events for visitors are the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Pride Parade. Time your trip around one of them and you’ll have a uniquely Taiwanese cultural experience built into your itinerary.

Photo Credits

Taipei Lantern Festival: 2019 Taipei Lantern Festival ii by Taiwankengo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A giant rainbow flag at Taiwan Pride: Taiwan Pride 2005 before setout by Atinncnu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Baosheng festival ceremony at Baoan Temple: 2022.04.15 Taipei Bao-an Temple Parade zd 2022 (52004260462) by 總統府, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.