Traveling to Taiwan ignites an incredible experience, with a diverse range of attractions, cultural experiences, and natural wonders to explore. Specifically, traveling in February is the perfect time for celebrating some iconic popular festivals in Taiwan and its regions featuring dazzling scenes coming from light lanterns.
The Lunar Calendar decides the Lantern Festival’s date. It happens on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Hence, the operating date of the Lantern Festival usually falls in February or early March.
Each city in Taiwan will host its own display of lanterns for 2-4 weeks for lantern festivals. Here are some of the key lantern festivals that take place during this month:
1. Taiwan Lantern Festival ( 臺灣燈會)
The Taiwan Lantern Festival is one of the most magical national events of the year hosted by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in Taiwan in different cities each year. The vivid festival offers audio-visual feast on land and water through massive lantern displaying zones with hundreds of captivating light lantern artworks and much more interactive activities around.
After a 16-year hiatus, the 35th edition – 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival operated in Tainan City, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Tainan city. The “Glorious Tainan” themed fest features two main display zones: the “Anping Display Zone” and the “High-Speed Rail Display Zone.”
2. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (平溪天燈節)
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is a famous lantern releasing event in the Pingxi area of New Taipei City. The festival lasts approximately one week. Mass sky lantern releases in appointed locations illuminate the dazzling skyline, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world to witness. You can also write your wishes, dreams, or messages on the lanterns and watch them float up into the sky.
The 2024 Pingxi Lantern Festival were held on Feb 17 at Pingxi Junior High School (平溪國中) near Pingxi train station; and Feb 24 at Shifen Plaza (十分天燈廣場).
3. Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (鹽水蜂炮)
Website: https://www.twtainan.net/yanshuifireworks/en
The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival and the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival are closely associated with each other and known as the “Lanterns in the north, Beehive fireworks in the south”. While the Pingxi festival celebrates the release of sky lanterns, the Yanshui festival is known for its intense and elaborate “beehive” fireworks displays. In Chinese culture, setting off fireworks and firecrackers are believed to bring wealth and prosperity.
The 2024 Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival took place from Feb 23 to Feb 24 at Emperor Guan Temple and Yanshui Junior High.
4. Yuejin Harbor Lantern Festival (月津港燈節)
Website: https://yuejinlanternfestival.com/
At the Yuejin Harbor Lantern Festival, you will see modern light installation artworks with contemporary art styles across the riverbank, which creates a mesmerizing ambiance to the area. Additionally, it has been taking place at Tainan Yanshui Yuejin Harbor and Yanshui Historic Zone in Tainan city since 2012.
In 2024, the festival took place from Jan 27 to Mar 3 and collaborated with the Taiwan Lantern Festival for the first time, expanding to the Swan Lake in Xinying to create the “Halo of Ripples” lantern area.
5. Taipei Lantern Festival (年臺北燈節)
The main Taiwan Lantern Festival was held in Taipei in 2023. But Taipei celebrates its own vibrant lantern festival each year. At this festival, you will take part in a lantern lighting ceremony, stage shows, themed activities, and street art displays.
In 2024, Taipei Lantern Festival with the theme “Dragon Soars over the City Lights” was held on February 2 to March 3 at Taipei West District, from Ximending Station to Beimen Station. Blessing Dragon – the sparkling three-story dragon lantern designed by Taiwanese lighting artist Sammy Liu (劉治良) symbolize the capital’s embrace of a bright future. And you will find many light installations at some famous gates and roads.
If you are planning to visit Taiwan during the Lunar New Year period, don’t forget to experience luminous nights through these magical festivals!
