Summary: The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival runs March 3–15 in Chiayi County under the theme “Glow with Taiwan, Light Up Chiayi,” featuring 16 themed zones, a 21‑meter signature lantern, hundreds of drones, fireworks, international performers and tech pavilions.

Taiwan’s annual Taiwan Lantern Festival returns in 2026, this time staged in Chiayi County from March 3 to 15. The event—centred on the Taiwan Lantern Festival tradition—will present a mix of large-scale lantern art, modern light technology and cultural performances across 16 themed zones.

Theme and location: Glow with Taiwan, Light Up Chiayi

This year’s theme—“Glow with Taiwan, Light Up Chiayi”—aims to celebrate both Taiwan’s cultural legacy and its contemporary creativity. Spread across 16 themed areas, the festival will spotlight Chiayi’s character, positioned between the Alishan mountains and the Taiwan Strait, and promote the county’s agricultural and environmental strengths alongside its cultural assets.

Signature installations and a high‑tech spectacle

At the festival’s centrepiece is the “Glow of Alishan,” a 21‑metre‑high lantern synced to a dynamic sound and light sequence. Nightly drone formations—numbering in the hundreds—will create shifting patterns above the grounds, with each drone display followed by fireworks to amplify the visual impact.

  • “Sailing the World” zone: glowing ship installations
  • “Super Mario Starry Carnival”: pop‑culture projections and interactive displays
  • Multiple lantern ensembles and synchronized light shows across 16 themed areas

Performances: international and Taiwanese acts

The festival’s entertainment program comprises 12 official must‑see attractions and a variety of live acts. International highlights include Irish tap dancers and the French Cavalcade of White Horses, while Taiwanese companies such as the Paper Windmill Theatre and the Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group will present traditional and contemporary performances.

Illuminated lantern sculptures and drone light patterns at the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi
The 2026 festival will combine large lantern installations with synchronized drone shows and fireworks across Chiayi County

Technology exhibits and visitor access

Technology plays a formal role at the event through the Osaka Expo TECH WORLD Pavilion, which will display Taiwan’s digital and creative innovations. Organisers have also prioritised access: shuttle buses will run from Chiayi HSR Station and TRA Chiayi Station directly to the festival grounds, and seven free parking lots offering over 10,000 spaces will be available for drivers—though shuttles may be more convenient during peak nights.

  • Direct shuttle services from Chiayi HSR and TRA Chiayi stations
  • Seven free parking areas with in excess of 10,000 spaces
  • Event maps, schedules and transport updates available on the official festival website

Chiayi as a base: nature, food and rail heritage

Beyond the festival, Chiayi serves as the gateway to the Alishan National Scenic Area and its famed high‑mountain railway. Visitors can ride the Alishan Railway for panoramic forest views and sunrise experiences at Alishan. Chiayi’s culinary scene is notable too—local turkey rice is a regional speciality found in markets and night stalls across the county.

Planning your visit

Chiayi is straightforward to reach from Taipei via the high‑speed rail: Chiayi HSR connects to Taipei in under 90 minutes. For up‑to‑date maps, schedules and transport notices, the festival’s official website provides essential planning information. Travellers wanting a richer experience should consider staying beyond the festival dates to explore Alishan, local markets and cultural sites.

Why this matters: The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi showcases how a major cultural event can combine heritage, tourism and technology to draw both domestic and international visitors. For travellers, it offers a chance to see large‑scale lantern art alongside innovative digital displays; for the tourism industry, it underscores the growing role of tech integrations—drones, projection mapping and interactive pavilions—in widening festival appeal and boosting regional visibility. So what? If you’re planning to visit Taiwan in early March, this festival presents a unique opportunity to experience traditional celebrations updated with immersive tech, while also using Chiayi as a base to explore Alishan and local cuisine.