Festivals and Holidays

Taiwan celebrates a vibrant array of festivals and holidays throughout the year, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese customs with modern-day practices. These occasions provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family, catch up with friends, and strengthen bonds with loved ones.

Western New Year (January 1st)

The Western New Year (元旦, Yuán dàn), celebrated on January 1st, marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year. While not as culturally significant as Lunar New Year, it is widely celebrated in Taiwan, especially in urban areas. The Western New Year celebrations in Taiwan blend global traditions with a local flair, offering a festive atmosphere and vibrant activities for both locals and visitors.

• Fireworks Displays (煙火秀, Yān huǒ xiù): Major cities like Taipei host grand fireworks shows, with Taipei 101 being a focal point for celebrations.
• Countdown Parties (跨年派對, Kuà nián pài duì): Many people gather at outdoor concerts, night markets, or rooftop bars to count down to midnight.
• Public Holiday (公眾假期, Gōng zhòng jià qī): January 1st is a public holiday, and people often use the day to relax or spend time with family.

Lunar New Year (Late January or Early February)

Lunar New Year (春節, chūn jié) is Taiwan's most significant and widely celebrated holiday, typically falling in late January or early February. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year, bringing family reunions, traditional food, and festivities. During this period, most businesses and services close, and public transport can be crowded as people travel home. Major attractions may have special Lunar New Year activities.

• Family Gatherings (團圓, tuán yuán): Family members return home to celebrate together.
• Giving Red Envelopes (紅包, hóng bāo): Elders give children and unmarried adults red envelopes with money for good luck.
• Firecrackers (鞭炮, biān pào): To ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.

Valentine's Day (February 14th)

Valentine's Day (情人節, Qíng rén jié), celebrated on February 14th, has gained popularity in Taiwan, blending Western romantic traditions with local cultural practices. Couples exchange gifts like chocolates, flowers, or jewelry and often enjoy candlelit dinners at restaurants. It is also a time for expressing affection, not just between romantic partners but also among friends and loved ones.

Lantern Festival (15th Day of Lunar New Year)

Celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival (元宵節, yuán xiāo jié) marks the end of the New Year festivities. It is famous for its colorful lantern displays and various cultural performances. This festival is an exciting and visually stunning event, especially in places like Pingxi (平溪), where sky lanterns are released into the night sky.

• Lantern Displays (花燈, Huā dēng): Large, colorful lanterns are displayed in public spaces, and the release of sky lanterns (天燈, Tiān dēng) is a popular activity.
• Eating Tangyuan (湯圓, Tāng yuán): Sweet glutinous rice balls symbolizing family unity and good fortune.

Mazu Festival (March or April)

The Mazu Festival (媽祖誕, māzǔ dàn) celebrates the birthday of Mazu, the goddess of the sea, and is one of the largest religious events in Taiwan, taking place in March or April. The Mazu Festival is a deeply spiritual event and a time for communal prayers. The procession attracts thousands of people, making it one of the most exciting festivals to experience in Taiwan.

• Processions (遶境, Rào jìng): Devotees participate in large processions, carrying Mazu's statue through towns and villages, praying for protection and blessings.
• Prayers and Offerings (祈福, Qí fú): People offer incense, fruits, and other items to Mazu, asking for her blessings in areas like health, business, and protection.
• Fire Walking (踩火, Cǎi huǒ): Some regions also feature fire-walking ceremonies, where devotees walk barefoot across burning coals as a display of faith and devotion.

Children's Day (April 4th)

Children’s Day (兒童節, Ér tóng jié) is celebrated on April 4th. It is a day dedicated to children, their well-being, and their happiness. Schools and institutions often organize special events for children to enjoy.

• School Events (學校活動, Xué xiào huó dòng): Schools hold various fun activities, performances, and games for students.
• Family Celebrations (家庭慶祝, Jiā tíng qìng zhù): Families often organize outings and fun activities for children on this day.

Tomb Sweeping Day (April 4th or 5th)

Tomb Sweeping Day (清明節, Qīng Míng Jié), observed on April 4th or 5th, is a day for honoring ancestors by visiting their graves, cleaning the tombstones, and making offerings. It's a time for reflection and respect for family heritage, and public transportation can be crowded as many people travel to ancestral hometowns.

• Cleaning Tombs (掃墓, Sǎo mù): Families visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean the graves and offer food or incense.
• Burning Offerings (焚香, Fén xiāng): People burn incense and paper offerings to honor their ancestors.

Labor Day (May 1st)

Labor Day (勞動節, Láo dòng jié) is celebrated on May 1st in Taiwan. It honors the contributions of workers and laborers to the country’s development. Many people use this day for rest, relaxation, or to enjoy outdoor activities.

• Parades (遊行, Yóu xíng): Some cities hold parades celebrating workers' rights and achievements.
• Outdoor Activities (戶外活動, Hù wài huó dòng): People often take advantage of the long weekend to go on trips or engage in recreational activities.

Mother's Day (2nd Sunday of May)

Mother's Day (母親節, Mǔ qīn jié) is celebrated on the second Sunday of May and is a time to express gratitude and love for mothers. Families often organize special meals or give thoughtful gifts such as flowers, cards, or handmade crafts. The day has become an important occasion for strengthening familial bonds and celebrating the role of mothers in Taiwanese society.

Dragon Boat Festival (5th Day of the 5th Lunar Month)

The Dragon Boat Festival (端午節, Duān Wǔ Jié) is held on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, typically in June. It is celebrated with boat races, eating zongzi (粽子, Zòng zi), and other cultural activities. This festival has a long history, with the dragon boat races symbolizing the search for the poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in protest of government corruption.

• Dragon Boat Races (龍舟賽, Lóng zhōu sài): Competitions held on rivers, featuring colorful dragon boats with teams paddling in sync.
• Eating Zongzi (粽子, Zòng zi): Sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, often filled with pork, mushrooms, or red beans.

Ghost Month (7th Lunar Month, August)

Ghost Month (鬼月, Guǐ yuè) is a traditional festival in the 7th month of the lunar calendar, typically falling in August. It is believed that during this time, the gates of hell open, and the spirits of the dead return to the living world. During Ghost Month, temples hold large-scale ceremonies, and markets often have vendors selling protective charms. It's a time to be cautious and respectful of the spirits.

• Burning Offerings (燒紙錢, shāo zhǐ qián): People burn paper money, clothing, and other symbolic items to appease wandering spirits.
• Setting Up Altars (設祭壇, shè jì tán): Families set up altars with food offerings to honor the spirits and avoid bad luck.
• Avoiding Risky Activities (避免冒險, bì miǎn mào xiǎn): People avoid risky activities, like swimming or traveling, during this time as it is believed spirits may cause harm.

Mid-Autumn Festival (September or October)

Celebrated in September or October, the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節, Zhōng Qiū Jié) honors the harvest and the full moon. It is a time for family reunions and outdoor activities like moon-gazing. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known for its vibrant atmosphere and community celebrations, with many cities hosting large-scale events and moonlit activities.

• Mooncakes (月餅, Yuè bǐng): Round pastries filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolk, symbolizing reunion and completeness.
• Outdoor BBQs (戶外燒烤, Hù wài shāo kǎo): Families often gather for barbecues, enjoying grilled meats and fruits under the full moon.

Double Ten Day (October 10th)

October 10th marks Taiwan's National Day, known as Double Ten Day (國慶日, guó qìng rì) or (雙十節, shuāng shí jié). It commemorates the start of the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, which led to the founding of the Republic of China. This day is marked by national pride, and it's a public holiday with various events taking place across Taiwan.

• Parades (遊行, Yóu xíng): A grand military and civilian parade is held in Taipei, showcasing Taiwan's military and cultural achievements.
• Fireworks (煙火, Yān huǒ): The evening is often concluded with an impressive fireworks display.

Christmas (December 25th)

Although not a public holiday, Christmas (聖誕節, Shèng dàn jié) is increasingly celebrated in Taiwan, especially in major cities like Taipei. It is a time for gift-giving and enjoying festive activities. Despite its Western origins, Christmas in Taiwan has become a commercial event, with themed promotions and parties becoming more common.

• Christmas Decorations (聖誕裝飾, Shèng dàn zhuāng shì): Many shopping malls and streets are decorated with lights, Christmas trees, and festive displays.
• Gift-Giving (送禮, Sòng lǐ): Exchanging presents, especially among friends and colleagues.