Taiwan Constitution Day is an important holiday in Taiwan when Taiwanese people can remember the founding of their constitution, and also celebrate Christmas. Now Christmas is finally a national holiday in Taiwan! In this blog, we will explain the history of the holiday, its significance, and how it is celebrated now in modern Taiwan.
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- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn when it is not too hot or cold and less rainy
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- Rent a car to explore distant sights
When is Constitution Day in Taiwan?
December 25th every year.
If this holiday falls on a weekend, it will be observed on the Friday preceding or Monday following.
History of Constitution Day in Taiwan
Constitution Day, celebrated on December 25th each year in Taiwan, commemorates the implementation of the Republic of China’s constitution on December 25, 1947. This day was designated a national holiday in 1963, but the holiday was abolished in 2000 when Taiwan adopted a two-day weekend system and changed to a commemorative day. However, it was reinstated as a public holiday in 2025.
Why is this holiday on Christmas Day?
On December 25, 1947, the Constitution of the Republic of China was officially enacted. After announcing the list of National Assembly representatives, Chiang Kai-shek, who was a Christian, delivered a Christmas radio address, declaring the day a new beginning for a unified, independent, and free China. He emphasized that the constitution guaranteed dignity and freedom for all citizens, reflecting Christian values of individual rights taught by Jesus Christ.
So Chiang Kai-shek, who was a Christian, made sure Christian values were written into the constitution, and made sure that the 25th of December, which is Jesus Christ’s birthday, would be a national holiday.
What do people do on Constitution Day in Taiwan?
Celebrating Christmas
Christians in Taiwan will celebrate Christmas, whether it is a national holiday or not. This includes church services, nativity scenes and reenactments, setting up Christmas Trees, Christmas Lights, putting up stockings, and giving gifts. In the past, before it was a national holiday, maybe some people would celebrate on the weekends instead.
Shopping
Christmas is good for business, and Taiwanese people like making money, so you will see a lot of Christmas-themed products and decorations around this time. Often, Christmas decorations such as trees and lights are left up year-round, because some Taiwanese people have no concept of Christmas as a season.
Giving Gifts
Some people choose to give gifts on Christmas even if they are not Christian, just because they like the festive atmosphere, and because Taiwanese people like giving gifts as a cultural custom in general.
Traveling, more shopping, visiting family, etc.
Constitution Day is, after all, a national holiday, so workers have an extended weekend off to travel, including international travel, as well as shop, visit family, eat out at restaurants, see movies, etc. Oftentimes, Christian families may already have gathered together to celebrate Christmas rituals.
Do Taiwanese People Celebrate Christmas?
Yes. 7% of Taiwan’s population is Christian, so there are many people in Taiwan who celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. However, the holiday has gone far beyond that and has become a consumer festival. Pretty much anywhere you look in December, you will see Christmas trees or Christmas lights in Taiwan. You will also see these decorations sold in stores. Some people also choose to keep their Christmas lights up all year round. People will also sometimes exchange gifts. There are also quite a few places that have Christmas light shows, like Banqiao, New Taipei. Starting in 2025, Christmas is now a National Holiday in Taiwan, even though officially it is known as Constitution Day.
My Experience as a Foreigner During Constitution Day in Taiwan:
As a hot-blooded American, I have always celebrated Christmas in Taiwan. Before it became a national holiday, I had always taken the day off, except if it fell on a weekend. But I usually take the day after Christmas off so I can live chat with my family in America during their Christmas. I also bought a fake Christmas tree that we have in our tiny apartment. We put out stockings and give our kids presents.
We also usually have a rotisserie chicken dinner.
I also put Christmas Lights up around my apartment. I have noticed that a lot of Taiwanese people will do the same.
If you look carefully at the sky on Christmas Day in Taipei, you might just see Santa and his reindeer.
Snow in Taiwan
Most people in Taiwan live at or near sea level in a tropical/subtropical environment that never has snow. However, it does snow in Taiwan at many places with higher elevations, such as Yangmingshan, Taipingshan, Jade Mountain, Alishan, Lalashan, Snow Mountain, etc. If temperatures get low enough between December and February, snow is possible to fall wherever the elevation is high enough in Taiwan.
Check out our guide to finding snow in Taiwan here.
Tips For Travelling During the Tomb Sweeping Holiday in Taiwan:
- The airports can be packed, and flights will usually be more expensive.
- The roads will be jammed going south on the first day and jammed going north on the last day.
- It may be hard to book train tickets during the holiday.
- Hotels will be more expensive than normal. Every day will be like a Saturday night price.
- Camping spots should stay the same price.
- Tourist spots may be packed with people.
Thanks for reading! For more festivals and activities in Taiwan, check out our full Taiwan Festival Guide here.
