Good to know
Good to Know
- Many signature events follow the lunar calendar, so dates shift yearly on the Gregorian calendar.
- Dragon Boat Festival (June) is one of Taiwan's three major holidays; accommodation and transport fill up quickly—book well in advance.
- Lantern Festival events (February–March) are genuinely popular; northern Taipei events are less crowded than Pingxi, which draws massive crowds.
- Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage is a nine-day walk covering 300+ kilometers through western Taiwan; watching sections near Taipei is easier than joining the full pilgrimage.
- Most public cultural events are free to observe; some temples distribute tickets in advance.
- Dragon Boat races at Dajia Riverside Park are free, easily accessible by MRT, and genuinely impressive—arrive early for good viewing spots.
- Taipei's Nuit Blanche (September) is a newer, less-crowded alternative to major festivals for art lovers.
Signature Events
February–March (lunar calendar date)
- Admission
- Free
- Event Name
- Taipei Lantern Festival
- Timing Details
- 2026: February 26 – March 15
- Cultural Significance
- Celebrates the 15th day of the first lunar month; one of Taiwan's most colorful cultural traditions.
- Description
- Citywide lantern displays and installations at multiple MRT stations including Ximen and Yuanshan areas. Free entry.
Around Lantern Festival (lunar calendar)
- Location
- Pingxi Junior High School and Shifen Square (approximately 45 minutes north of Taipei by train)
- Admission
- Free
- Event Name
- Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
- Timing Details
- 2026: February 27 (Pingxi) and March 3 (Shifen)
- Description
- Mass release of eco-friendly sky lanterns in New Taipei. Thousands of lanterns lit nightly from 6–9 PM.
Dajia Riverside Park (Taipei); MRT Brown Line to Dazhi Station
- Timing
- Fifth day of fifth lunar month
- Admission
- Free to spectate
- Event Name
- Dragon Boat Festival & International Dragon Boat Championships
- Timing Details
- 2026: June 19–21 (3-day public holiday)
- Cultural Significance
- Commemorates the legend of poet Qu Yuan; combines racing with traditional rituals including the eye-dotting ceremony to awaken boats.
- Description
- Taiwan's largest and most prestigious dragon boat racing event held at Dajia Riverside Park along the Keelung River. World-class competition with teams from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Spectators can watch for free; foreigners can register to compete on 500-meter course.
September (exact date varies annually)
- Admission
- Free
- Event Name
- Taipei Nuit Blanche (All-night Art Walk)
- Cultural Significance
- Art and culture celebration adapted from European tradition; held annually since 2016.
- Description
- All-night art walk and installations throughout Taipei city. Night walks, lantern installations, and festive city mood.
September 28
- Admission
- Free (tickets required, distributed in advance from temple)
- Event Name
- Confucius Birthday Celebration
- Cultural Significance
- Major religious and educational festival celebrating Confucian heritage in Taiwan.
- Description
- Early-morning cultural ceremonies at Taipei Confucius Temple honoring the ancient sage. Traditional rituals and performances.
Fifteenth day of eighth lunar month
- Admission
- Free for public celebrations
- Event Name
- Mid-Autumn Festival
- Timing Details
- 2026: late September or early October (lunar-calendar dependent)
- Cultural Significance
- Deeply rooted in Taiwanese customs and traditions; celebrates the harvest and reunion.
- Description
- One of Taiwan's major traditional festivals featuring family gatherings, mooncakes, lantern displays, and cultural performances.
23rd day of third lunar month (March or April)
- Admission
- Free to observe/participate
- Event Name
- Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage (Taipei connection)
- Timing Details
- 2026: pilgrimage starts April 17
- Cultural Significance
- Taiwan's most boisterous folk event honoring the sea goddess Mazu; recognized as important intangible cultural heritage.
- Description
- While the main pilgrimage originates in Taichung (Dajia), Taipei residents and temples actively participate. Nine-day folk procession with palanquins, temple rituals, and elaborate performances. Passes through multiple cities including Taipei area participation.
Seasonal (timing varies by year)
- Admission
- Ticketed (specific pricing varies by year)
- Event Name
- Taipei International Flora Expo
- Cultural Significance
- Celebrates Taipei's flora and fauna heritage with focus on natural beauty and gardening culture.
- Description
- Grand festival featuring magnificent floral displays, landscape designs, horticultural workshops, and floral arrangement artistry.
Typically spring or fall (date varies)
- Admission
- Free entry; food purchases separate
- Event Name
- Taipei Food Festival
- Cultural Significance
- Showcases Taipei's vibrant food culture and culinary traditions.
- Description
- Celebration of Taipei's culinary scene featuring food stalls with traditional and modern Taiwanese cuisine, cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, and special tastings.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.