The Taiwan Lantern Festival returns to Chiayi from March 3–15, 2026, offering immersive light art, drone displays and international performances that showcase Taiwan's culture and tech.
Summary: The Taiwan Lantern Festival will take place in Chiayi County from March 3–15, 2026, featuring 12 major attractions, 16 themed zones, a 21-metre centerpiece lantern, drone light shows and international performances.
The Taiwan Lantern Festival returns to Chiayi County from March 3–15, 2026, presenting a program of large-scale light art, performances and technology-driven spectacles. The event marks the culmination of Lunar New Year celebrations and invites visitors to experience a broad showcase of Taiwan’s cultural creativity and technological innovation.
Festival scope and theme
Chiayi’s edition of the festival spreads across 16 immersive themed zones and highlights 12 major attractions that explore Taiwan’s cultural heritage alongside contemporary artistic and technological expression. The festival’s signature theme is "Glow with Taiwan, Light Up Chiayi."
Key attractions to see
- Glow of Alishan: a 21-metre-high lantern that serves as the festival’s centerpiece with nightly synchronized sound and light shows and fireworks
- Drone light displays: hundreds of drones choreographed to create aerial visuals and colour effects
- Osaka Expo TECH World Pavilion: interactive exhibits showcasing digital and tech experiences
- Toondom Super Mario Starry Carnival: a playful digital-pop area inspired by Mario
- Street carnival performances, large parades and family-friendly theatre
Performances and cultural programme
The festival’s schedule features a diverse lineup of acts from Taiwan and overseas. Highlights include the French Cavalcade of White Horses, Irish tap dance performances, family shows from the Taiwanese Paper Windmill Theatre and productions by Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group. Parades and street shows will thread through the grounds to maintain a celebratory atmosphere throughout the event.
Getting to Chiayi and on-site logistics
Chiayi is easily accessible by Taiwan’s high-speed rail (HSR). The journey from Taipei to Chiayi HSR Station takes under 90 minutes. Festival organisers will run free shuttle buses from both the Chiayi HSR Station and the TRA Chiayi Station to the festival site to help manage crowds.
- Free shuttle buses available from Chiayi HSR and TRA stations
- Over 10,000 free parking spaces provided on festival grounds, though shuttles are recommended on busy days
- Official website offers multilingual resources in English, Japanese and Korean, plus maps, event times and real-time updates on parking and road closures
Explore beyond the festival
Visitors who extend their stay can explore Chiayi County’s wider attractions, including Alishan National Scenic Area and the high-mountain forest railway, which offer notable mountain views. Chiayi is also known for its local specialty, turkey rice, and a mix of temples, hot springs and historic sites that reveal Taiwan’s regional culture.
Practical guide and resources
The festival’s official website supplies essential visitor information, including zone maps, award listings, performance schedules and live updates about transport and closures. Multilingual guidance in English, Japanese and Korean is available to assist international attendees.
What this means for travellers
For travellers, the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi offers a chance to combine cultural immersion with cutting-edge shows in a single trip. The event’s scale and transport arrangements make it suitable for day trips from Taipei or longer regional stays to experience both the festival and nearby natural attractions.
So what? The festival is a major draw for visitors to Taiwan in early March, blending traditional lantern art with modern entertainment and technology. That means more seat and accommodation demand around the event dates, plus expanded transport services — factors travellers should consider when planning visits for March 3–15, 2026.
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