Throughout the year, Taiwan is full of festivals and holidays. Besides the three major festivals and National Holidays when people are off from school and work, there are also many smaller religious festivals and events throughout the year. In this guide, we will provide a month-by-month breakdown of the major festivals and holidays in Taiwan.

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Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: All Year because there are festivals going on all the time!
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  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Taiwan Festivals By Month of the Year

The following is a list of festivals and holidays by month of the year. Please note that some holidays are based on the lunar calendar, so they may occur in two different months depending on the year.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Summary of Taiwan National Holidays (With the Day off from work and/or school):

The following are National Holidays which except 228 and Double Ten Day can all be considered Festivals.

New Year’s Day 中華民國開國紀念日 / 元旦

Date: January 1st
This day is considered not only New Year’s Day, but also the day of the founding of the Republic of China in Nanking, although no one really celebrates the latter. On this day, you can expect to see fireworks at midnight all over Taiwan.
Wondering where you can find the best glimpse of the Taipei 101 fireworks? In this blog, we will share a list of the best views of Taipei 101 and therefore the best places to see the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Lunar New Year or Spring Festival 農曆新年/過年

Dates: Last day of the 12th Lunar month, and first 3 working days of the 1st month (usually in January or February)
Lunar New Year (also known as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year) is the biggest holiday in Taiwan. It is like Christmas in the West and is a time of family togetherness and welcoming a new year. In this blog, we will let you know the customs and culture during the Lunar New Year in Taiwan and how to celebrate…(read more)

228 Peace Memorial Day 228和平紀念日

Date: February 28th
228 is a holiday to remember the February 28 Incident in 1947, in which a massacre against innocent Taiwanese people was started by the ruling KMT. It is a day to remember that Taiwan was not always a free democracy and that we should be grateful for the sacrifices of others who helped to bring the civil liberties that we now enjoy.
You can check out our guide to the National 228 Memorial Museum here, or our blog on the 228 Heping Peace Memorial Park here.

Children’s Day 兒童節

Date: April 4th
Children’s Day is also celebrated at around the same time as the Tombsweeping Holiday, usually as a four-day weekend. This holiday was established to help promote children’s rights, welfare, and education. You can check out our guide to Taipei Children’s Amusement Park here, which usually has free entrance for children on this day.

Tomb Sweeping Day 淸明節

Date: April 5th.
Tomb Sweeping Day is an important holiday in Taiwan when Taiwanese people can visit their ancestor’s graves, worship, pay respect, and clean tombs. The Tombsweeping Holiday is also celebrated at around the same time as the Children’s Day, usually as a four-day weekend. In this blog, we will explain the history of the holiday, its significance, and how it is practiced now in modern Taiwan…(read more)

Labor Day 勞動節

Date: May 1
Schools and Government offices are open but the private sector closes. This holiday was established to honor the working class that keeps the country going.

Dragon Boat Festival 端午節

Date: 5th day of the 5th month of the Lunar Calendar (usually in May or June)
The Dragon Boat Festival (aka Double Fifth Festival) is a special time of year, during which Taiwan gets a major holiday vacation and there are Dragon Boat Races. During this time, people also must eat Zongzi. We have created this guide for you to see the official dragon boat races all around Taiwan and understand more about this special cultural festival…(read more)

Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋節

Date: 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar year (usually in September or October)
Mid-Autumn Festival (aka Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival) is one of the major festivals in Taiwan and is also an important holiday in cultures throughout Southeast Asia. In this blog, we will tell you how this festival is celebrated in Taiwan, how you can celebrate it, as well as other activities that will take place throughout Taiwan…(read more)

ROC National Day / Double Ten Day 國慶日 / 雙十節

Date: October 10th
The National Day of the Republic of China (also called ROC National Day, Taiwan National Day, or Taiwan/ROC’s birthday) commemorates the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911, which marked the beginning of the Xinhai Revolution, leading to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the ROC as the first widely recognized republic in East Asia. Celebrations have been held annually in Taiwan since 1949 featuring flag-raising ceremonies, parades, and fireworks. Because of this, some people think it is ironic that it is sometimes called “Taiwan National Day” since Taiwan was a colony of Japan in 1911. For more information about Taiwan’s political history, check out our Taiwan politics guide here.

Other Traditional Festivals (that do not include a day off):

Lantern Festival 元宵節

Date: 15th day of 1st lunar month (usually in January or February)
The Lantern Festival in Taiwan is an exciting time when many cities and counties in Taiwan put on colorful displays of lanterns for visitors to enjoy. There are usually lanterns in all the big cities including Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. In this guide, we will share how Taiwan celebrates the Lantern Festival and how you can get involved…(read more)

Ghost Festival / Ghost Month 中元節/普渡/鬼月

Date: 15th day of 1st lunar month (July or August)
In Taiwan and many other Asian countries where Buddhism or Taoism is practiced, ghost month (鬼月 Guǐ Yuè), or the seventh month of the lunar calendar, is an important festival when it is believed that the dead come to visit the realm of the living, and it is an important time for ancestor worship. In this blog, we will introduce the historical background and beliefs of this holiday, as well as key taboos to avoid during this time and how to protect yourself…(read more)

Tourism Day 觀光節

Date: 15th day of 1st lunar month (usually in January or February)
The Tourism Festival in Taiwan, established in 1977 and observed annually on the Lantern Festival (the 15th day of the lunar new year), aims to promote the domestic tourism industry, with a “Tourism Week” spanning seven days around the festival.

Earth God‘s Birthday 土地公誕辰

An example of an Earth God Temple.

Date: 2nd day of 2nd lunar month (February or March)
The 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month marks the birthday of the Earth God (Tudi Gong), also known as “Tou Ya” (First Tooth), on the 16th day of the 12th lunar month (corresponding to “Wei Ya”, Last Tooth, on which business usually have a year-end party before the Lunar New Year). On this day, businesses and households offer worship.
“Eating First Tooth”: Families typically prepare offerings of livestock and wine, burn gold paper for the Earth God, set off firecrackers to celebrate his birthday, and also pay respects to the Earth Deity of their property, followed by a family meal.

Above is a video in which worshippers in Tainan pray for prosperity on earth god’s birthday, from RTI News.

Guan Yin‘s Birthday 觀音誕辰

Above is a video from John Saboe documenting Taipei’s Longshan Temple celebrating Goddess Guanyin’s Birthday.

Date: 19th day of 2nd lunar month (March or April)
Guanyin Bodhisattva is one of the most worshiped deities in Taiwanese folk religion, believed to be able to hear the voices of the world and respond to calls for help, which is why she is called “Guanyin” (the One Who Observes the Sounds of the World). Guanyin has three major festivals each year: her birthday (Holy Day), her Enlightenment Day (19th day of the 6th lunar month), and Ordination Day (19th day of the 9th lunar month). Among these, Guanyin’s birthday is an especially important day for praying for peace and smooth progress, particularly for families wishing for children.

God of Medicine’s Birthday 保生大帝誕辰

Here is another video from John Saboe’s Far East Adventures of the Medicine God’s Birthday in 2015 at Baoan Temple in Taipei.

Date: 15th day of 3rd lunar month (March or April)
Baosheng Dadi, the “God of Medicine,” celebrates his birthday on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month (April 23rd this year), and it is an auspicious day to pray for health and well-being. On this day, people prepare offerings to the God of Medicine for the health and safety of their family, for help with prolonged illness, and to improve overall health and fortune. Medical treatment should still be sought for actual illnesses.

Matsu‘s Birthday 媽祖誕辰

See above for a video of Matsu’s Birthday Ceremony.

Date: 23rd day of 3rd lunar month (March or April)
Mazu’s birthday is the time of year when Taiwanese folk temples hold grand religious ceremonies, including famous events like the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage and the Mazu Cultural Festival at Xingang Fengtian Temple in Yunlin. Mazu, originally named Lin Mo Niang, was from Meizhou Island in Putian County, Quanzhou. Growing up by the sea, she was skilled in swimming and often helped fishermen and merchants in distress at sea. At the age of 26, she tragically died while saving others, and the people she helped built a temple to honor her. Over time, Mazu became known as a protector of sailors and was eventually bestowed the title “Heavenly Empress” by the emperor. She is an important God for fishermen and sea travelers.

Buddha’s Birthday 佛誕日

See above for a video of the Buddha’s birthday celebration in Taiwan from RTI news.

Date: 8th day of 4th lunar month (April or May)
In Taiwan, Buddhist temples and practitioners traditionally hold ceremonies to commemorate and bathe the Buddha, offer flowers and fruit, provide food for monks, and perform plays. Buddha’s birthday was made as a national holiday in 1999. During the holiday, religious organizations and groups hold commemorative events. Some organizations also celebrate it together with Mother’s Day (the second Sunday in May).

Guan Yu‘s Birthday 關公誕辰

Above is a short video of a Temple Parade to Celebrate the Birthday of the Lord Guan in Taiwan.

Date: 13th day of 5th lunar month (May or June)
On the birthday of Guan Yu, many people celebrate with grand festivities to honor his birthday and seek blessings for peace and wealth. Guan Yu was a Chinese general loyal to Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty, known for his brotherly bond with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, his role in the establishment of Shu Han, his victory over Cao Cao’s general Yan Liang, and his eventual capture and execution by Sun Quan, later becoming a revered cultural hero and deity worshipped in Chinese folk religion, Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism.

City God’s Birthday 城隍爺誕辰

See the above video “Matchmaking God’s Birthday Party in Taipei” byt TaiwanPlus News.

Date: 13th day of 5th lunar month (May or June), but dates may differ according to region.
The City God (aka Cheng Huang) is a deity in Chinese folk religion regarded as the spiritual protector of a city, town, or village. He is also known as the God of Matchmaking. On this day, people worship the City God with food offerings, prayers, and dances to seek blessings, protection, guidance, and for some single people, romance.

Qixi Festival / Chinese Valentine’s Day 七夕

See the above video about cities around Taiwan marking the Qixi Festival from RTI News.

Date: 7th day of 7th lunar month (July or August)
Qixi is a traditional Chinese holiday based on the legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, officially transforming into a holiday for young men and women. In Taiwan, Qixi traditions include honoring the Weaver Girl as a children’s guardian deity with offerings and rituals for health and protection. Recently, traditional customs have declined in favor of a commercialized Valentine’s Day, with many shops and online stores creating promotions for the holiday. Recent efforts have sparked a revival of traditional practices supported by temples and local governments.

Double Ninth Festival / Senior Citizen’s Day 重陽節

See the video above, Double Ninth Day, explained by Taiwan Plus.

Date: 9th day of 9th lunar month (September or October)
The Double Ninth Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday with roots in the Three Kingdoms period, traditionally featuring customs like mountain climbing, ancestor worship, and harvest prayers, but the modern Double Ninth Festival in Taiwan celebrates honoring and caring for the elderly through activities like outings, family gatherings, and preparing healthy meals to wish them health and longevity.

Saisiat paSta’ay Festival 矮靈祭

Check out the above video about the Saisiat paSta’ay festival from Taiwan Plus.

Date: 15th day of the 10th lunar month during even years (October or November)
The Saisiat paSta’ay Festival, held biennially by the Indigenous Saisiat tribe in Taiwan on the border of Miaoli and Hsinchu, is known for its colorful parades and performances. The festival is named after the legendary short-statured Ta’ay people who taught the Saisiyat tribe farming and was established to appease their spirits after a conflict led to their extinction. A festival took place in 2024, with the next one scheduled for 2026, and again every two years.

Other Seasonal Festival Activities and Events:

Yilan International Children’s Folklore & Folkgames Festival

Date: July to mid-August
Yilan International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival (宜蘭國際童玩藝術節) is one of the largest children’s festivals in Taiwan, occurring every year during summer break along the Dongshan River in Yilan. It features a large outdoor waterpark as well as musical performances, exhibitions, games, and cultural events. It has become a yearly tradition for many families in northern Taiwan…(read more)

Taiwan International Balloon Festival

Dates: Jul 05, 2025~Aug 21, 2025

Taiwan’s International Hot Air Balloon Festival, held every year in Taitung County during the summer, is one of the premiere tourism events in the country. Prepare to be amazed by an array of balloons, or enjoy the amazing natural scenery in Taitung by taking a tethered or non-tethered hot air balloon ride…(read more)

Fulong Sand Art Festival 福隆國際沙雕藝術季

Dates: May to October

Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival is the premiere sand art display in Taiwan. It is easily accessible by public transportation (TRA Gongliao Station), and at the beach, you can find beautiful golden sand, a large shallow swimming area, and tons of food options within walking distance. It is definitely worth a trip this summer…(read more)

Winter Solstice / Dongzhi Festival 冬至

Date: Winter solstice (December 21st, 22nd, or 23rd)
In Taiwan, the Winter Solstice or Dongzhi Festival is a significant cultural event, that emphasizes ancestor worship. Families perform ancestral rites, offering sacrifices and food, including “winter dumplings” (Tangyuan 湯圓), which symbolize longevity and family reunion. Additionally, the Winter Solstice marks the time when farming agreements and land contracts are traditionally signed in Taiwan.

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

Date: 15th day of 1st lunar month (usually in January or February)
The Pingxi Lantern Festival in New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan and is known as one of the best festivals in the world. Thousands of lanterns are set off during the festival, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Spring Lantern Festival Holiday. It is definitely worth the experience if you are in Taiwan during the Lantern Festival. However, lighting off sky lanterns is bad for the environment and you should not do it.

Yanshui Beehive Fireworks (Tainan) 鹽水蜂炮

Date: 15th day of 1st lunar month (usually in January or February)
Check out this Video from Taiwan Plus that shows you what the Yanshui Beehive fireworks festival is like, where participants face an onslaught of fireworks. I have not participated yet, but it looks like a place many foreigners would be interested in.

Taitung Bombing Lord Handan 玄武堂慶元宵炮炸寒單爺

Date: 15th day of 1st lunar month (usually in January or February)
See above for a video about Taitung’s ‘Bombing of Master Handan’, which means that a few people representing Lord Handan get fireworks shot at them. This is supposed to bring good fortune. For more about this festival, you can check out this blog by Taiwan Everything here.

Miaoli Bombing Dragon Festival 苗栗火旁龍之夜

Date: Around the 15th day of 1st lunar month (usually in January or February)
You can see a video of the Miaoli Dragon Bombing Festival above. It involves leading a dragon through a ton of fireworks.

Yilan Lizejian “Zao-Wang“ －“Wife Carrying” Festival 宜蘭利澤簡走尪

Date: Around the 15th day of 1st lunar month (usually in January or February)
You can see a video of the wife-carrying festival in Yilan above. It involves the husband carrying the wife around, and also others carrying the wife on a chair around the streets.

Taichung Dajia Mazu Festival 大甲媽祖

Check out this video of the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage from TaiwanPlus News.

Dates: February to May
Each year in the third month of the lunar calendar, millions of devotees join the Da Jia Matsu pilgrimage, walking over 340 kilometers in nine days from Da Jia Zhenlan Temple to Xingang Fengtian Temple. The event, which includes traditional rituals like a divination ceremony to set the start date, has been recognized as an important intangible cultural heritage. Initially held in Meizhou, it shifted to Beigang Chaotian Temple during the Japanese occupation and has been celebrated in its current form since 1988.

Kaohsiung Neimen Song Jiang Battle Ritual 高雄內門宋江陣

You can check out this video of Neimen Songjiang Battle Ritual (高雄內門宋江陣) by Taiwan Everything above.

Date: March
Song Jiang Battle Array is a martial arts-based folk performance originating from Fujian, China, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It was later introduced to Taiwan and now is primarily practiced in southern Taiwan. Initially, it was a rural activity for learning martial arts. During the Japanese colonial period, it evolved into a religious performance. Kaohsiung’s Neimen District is known as the “hometown of the Song Jiang Array,” with 18 out of its 54 folk performance troupes performing Song Jiang Battle Rituals.

Penghu International Fireworks Festival 澎湖花火節

Check out the video above of the Penghu International Fireworks from Formosa News.

Dates: May to July on weekdays (usually Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays)
The Penghu International Fireworks Festival takes place at Guanyinting in Makung, and usually takes place on weekdays such as Monday or Thursday (for weekend travelers to Penghu, you will miss out on the fireworks). Lately, the display has also included a drone show.

Hot Spring Season 溫泉季節

Dates: November to April
Taiwan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is full of natural wild hot springs, as well as many hot spring resort towns such as Beitou and Wulai. You can find hot spring locations in almost every county in Taiwan. Soaking in hot springs is a great way to beat the winter cold.

Hot Pot Season 火鍋季

Dates: November to March:
One of the best parts of Taiwan is its cuisine, and one of the greatest forms of cuisine in Taiwan is hot pot. Basically, it involves boiling meat and vegetables in a broth to eat. In particular, all-you-can-eat hot pot buffets in Taiwan are a great way to get full, which can be divided into small hot pots, low-end hot pot buffets, and high-end hot pot buffets. Hot Pot is most popular during winter months, but it can be eaten year-round.
Check out our Taiwan hot pot guide here.

Maolin Butterfly Season 茂林蝴蝶季節

Dates: November to March
Maolin District of Kaohsiung City is an amazing outdoor paradise and my favorite place in Taiwan. In this mountainous district of Kaohsiung, you can find waterfalls, streams, hot springs, butterflies, aboriginal culture, and great views, all by the roadside! Popular activities include swimming, hot spring bathing, river tracing, camping, and hiking…(read more) 

Flower Festivals 花海:

Dates:
Xinshe: November-December
Guanshan: December-February
Liugui Flower Sea: December-February
60 Stone Mountain: July-September
Zhuzihu (Yangmingshan): Late February to early June
Others: go find them! Floral seas can be found literally all over Taiwan.

Floral Seas in Taiwan (aka Sea of Flowers; flower sea; flower/floral ocean) are a popular attraction for locals all around the island. Many farmers actually harvest these flowers during winter months and allow tourists to come take photos with a backdrop of an ocean of flowers, usually for free. If you’d like to take a few photos of these places, there are quite a few options…(read more)

Cherry Blossom Season 櫻花季:

Date: Cherry Blossom Season (February to March)
Taiwan’s Cherry Blossom Season is a short time from February to March in which cherry trees explode with bright pink blossoms. These become a selfie and Instagram hotspot. Popular places to see cherry blossoms are Yangmingshan and Wuling Farm.
Want to know where you can find the best places to enjoy Cherry Blossoms in Taiwan? In this guide, we will show you the places to see Cherry Blossoms, including a map of locations throughout Taiwan.
Check our our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here.

Mang Grass Season 芒草季

Dates: October to December
Mang Grass Season is when Mang Grass or Silver Grass which is prevalent all over Taiwan begins to grow seeds that look like silver wisps in the wind. Perhaps the best place to see mang grass is at Caoling Old Trail or Yangmingshan.

Taiwan Mango Season 台灣芒果季

Dates: May to September
Mangoes are one of the best aspects of living in Taiwan. Taiwan mangoes are the best. They are simply the king of fruit. Also, many mango varieties can only be found in Taiwan. The only downside is Mango season only lasts for a few short months during the summer in Taiwan. In this guide, we will introduce you to over 50 types of mangoes: the most common types, as well as uncommon ones, how to buy them, and how to eat them…(read more)

Taiwan Beach Season 台灣沙灘季

Dates: April to November
In my opinion, the best beach weather in Taiwan is from April to November, when the temperatures stay above 26 degrees Celsius. Summer is the best time to go when it is hottest and taking in the dip in the ocean is the most refreshing. Also only during summer, there are lifeguards at around a dozen or so beaches in Taiwan, meaning that swimming in the ocean is officially legal and safe in those areas.
Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet, but you can still enjoy the beaches or surfing in a wet suit. 
You can check out our guide to the best beaches near Taipei here.

Taiwan Snow Season 台灣下雪季：

Dates: December to February
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.

Other Aboriginal/Indigenous Festivals

Flying Fish Festival of the Yami (Tao) tribe 飛魚祭

Dates: January to October
There are three basic seasons on Orchid Island (Lanyu): one is the flying fish season when flying fish can be easily caught and used and usually lasts from January to May. The other seasons are from about May to October and October to February when flying fish are not easily caught or cannot be caught for ceremonial use. There are many taboos during flying fish season which are discussed in our guide to Orchid Island here.
The Flying Fish Festival lasts for about nine months, longer than any other festival in Taiwan. During this time many ceremonies take place such as for the beginning of the festival, plentiful harvest, etc. During the festival, there are multiple migrations of flying fish species near Lanyu. There are many taboos during this time, especially when it comes to catching and eating flying fish which are the main life source of the Tao people.

Mayasvi Ceremony of the Tsou tribe 阿里山鄒族達邦社傳統戰祭

Here is an English news segment of the Mayasvi Held in Tfuya Community by TiTV.

Date: February
The War Festival (Mayasvi) is an important ritual for the Tsou people, held to seek the protection of the war god, Avafeio, for warriors and to encourage the tribe to defend its life and spirit. The festival is typically held in February in the Tsou villages of Dabang and Tefuye near Alishan. It begins with a welcome chant, followed by three days of singing, dancing, and ceremonies. Participants collect “god flowers” in the morning, place them at the entrance of the sacred house, and engage in rituals involving tree worship and animal sacrifice. The festival concludes with the “Farewell Chant” at midnight. It also includes rites like the “Unity Rite” and “Road Rite” to ensure the safety and well-being of the tribe.

The Ear-shooting Festival of the Bunun Tribe 布農射耳祭

Check out this video of the ear shooting festival by RTI.

Dates: April to May
The “射耳祭” (Ear-Shooting Festival), also known as the Deer Ear Festival or “打耳祭” (Ear Beating Festival), is a significant annual hunting and martial arts ritual of Taiwan’s Bunun indigenous people in Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range in Nantou and surrounding counties. Held in April or May, it marks the end of farming activities and involves a series of ceremonial practices, including gun blessings, fire rituals, and the shooting of animal ears as a rite of passage for young boys. The festival, primarily led by male elders and hunters, takes place in a sacred area where women are forbidden. The celebration includes traditional hunting, prayers for blessings, and a communal feast, demonstrating the Bunun’s hospitality and cultural pride. The festival symbolizes unity, reverence for nature, and the continuation of cultural heritage.

Harvest Festival of the Amis tribe 阿美族豐年祭

Check out this video of the Amis Harvest Festival in Dulan, Taitung (台東都蘭阿美族豐年祭) by Taiwan Everything.

Dates: July and August
The Harvest Festival (also called Ilisin, Malalikid, or Kiloma’an in various regions) is a traditional ritual of the Amis people in Taiwan, and a celebration of community, honoring ancestors, and reinforcing societal values through various ceremonies, including prayers for blessings, rites for elders, and traditional competitions. The core purpose is not to celebrate the harvest but to strengthen ethical practices and the transmission of cultural traditions. In some areas, the festival spans a month, with activities such as symbolic rituals, community feasts, and contests to promote physical and social skills. Young members of the tribe participate in training sessions and rites of passage. The festival includes a “Lover’s Night,” where potential romantic partners engage in symbolic gestures. The event also holds specific taboos, such as avoiding sneezing and keeping certain activities exclusive to men. Additionally, it is a time to honor elders and ensure the continuation of community life and traditions.

New Year Ritual of the Puyuma Tribe 卑南族年祭

Check out this vlog about the Puyuma Mangayaw (普悠瑪大獵祭) above.

Date: End of December
At the end of each year, the Puyuma people celebrate their most important festival, the “Year Festival.” During this time, both the younger generations of the tribe are led by the elders to the traditional hunting grounds to hold a “Great Hunting Ceremony.” Elders and warriors teach hunting and gathering skills in the mountains, and the community lives in the deep wilderness day and night, learning life wisdom from the elders, making it a significant cultural experience for the Puyuma people. For over a century, the tribe has passed down its ritual ceremonies and cultural dances.

Other Sports Festivals 運動比賽

Dapeng Bay Marine Festival 大鵬灣帆船生活節

You can check out a video introducing the Dapeng Bay Marine Festival from Formosa News above.

Date: (April to May)
At Dapeng Bay Marine Festival in Donggang, Pingtung, you can enjoy stunning daytime sailboat races, cycling through mangroves, or a sailboat lagoon tour. At dusk, you can enjoy the view of sailboat masts against a golden sunset and explore lively markets. At night, local bands, street performers, and dazzling lights set the stage for summer festivities.

Taiwan Open of Surfing 臺灣國際衝浪公開賽

Check out some highlights of WSL Taiwan Open of Surfing from 2022 above.

Dates: Usually in November
Every year, Taiwan holds its “Taiwan Open of Surfing” which is an international surfing competition. However, Taiwan is covered by a coastline that is great for surfing year-round.

Taipei Marathon 台北馬拉松

Check out coverage of the 2022 Taipei Marathon by TaiwanPlus News above.

Date: Third weekend in December every year
The Taipei International Marathon began in 1986, attracting over 2,000 participants, and was initially held on Ketagalan Boulevard. Today, the marathon starts at Taipei City Hall and finishes at Taipei Stadium, with a modified course for the half marathon.

Other Marathons in Taiwan:

There are many other marathons and footraces in Taiwan. You can find marathons in every major city in Taiwan and many counties, including the outer islands.

For an exhaustive list of foot races in Chinese, click here.

Other Unnoficial Holidays 其他節日

Farmer’s Day 農民節

Date: February 4th
Farmers’ Day in the Republic of China was established on March 12, 1941. Recognizing China’s agrarian roots, the holiday was set on Lichun (around February 4) to honor farmers and encourage agricultural progress through celebrations and competitions.

Valentine’s Day 情人節

Date: February 14th
The western holiday Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Taiwan. Couples exchange gifts and often go on dates on this day. Singles take the opportunity to confess their feelings to someone they like. Gifts such as chocolate, jewelry, and flowers are common gifts during the holiday.

Arbor Day / Sun Yat-sen Memorial Day 植樹節/國父逝世紀念日

Date: March 12th
To honor the ideals of the Founding Father of the ROC Sun Yat-sen, the government officially designated March 12, the anniversary of his death, as Arbor Day. This serves both to commemorate his life and to promote environmental conservation through tree planting.

White Day 白色情人節

Date: March 14th
White Day, literally White Valentine’s Day in Chinese, is a Japanese holiday that has become popular in East Asia. It involves women giving gifts to men, as a token of appreciation and reciprocation for gifts received on Valentine’s Day on February 14th.

Youth Day / Martyrs’ Memorial Day 青年節/革命先烈紀念日

Date: March 29th
Youth Day commemorates the 86 martyrs who died for the nation during the Guangzhou Huanghuagang Uprising on April 27, 1911. In 1948, President Chiang Kai-shek declared this day as Martyrs’ Memorial Day, and since then, it has been designated as the day for the Republic of China’s spring mourning

Literary Day 文藝節

Date: May 4th
The May Fourth Arts Festival, established in 1944 by the Chinese National Anti-Japanese Association, originated as a cultural celebration of the May Fourth Movement. Initially, it was influenced by political struggles between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In Taiwan, following World War II, the May Fourth Arts Festival was embraced to highlight cultural development, marking its importance in Taiwanese society. The festival is still celebrated today with various cultural activities and awards.

Easter 復活節

Dates: Third Sunday in the paschal lunar month, March to April (Sunday)
Easter is celebrated in Taiwan mainly because 7% of the population is Christian, and churches often invite the community to Easter events such as easter egg hunts and egg decoration parties. However, many Taiwanese people still do not know the real meaning of Easter and it is more of a commercial holiday except for people of Christian faith.

Mother’s Day 母親節

Date: Second Sunday in May
Mother’s Day in Taiwan is celebrated on the same date as the rest of the Western world, and it has become easy to celebrate because it falls on a Sunday which is usually a day off from school and work. Usually, people in Taiwan show appreciation to their mothers by giving gifts, taking them out to dinner, giving cakes, cash gifts, etc. It has become sort of a commercial holiday in Taiwan.

Opium Suppression Movement Day / Anti-Smoking Day 禁菸節

Date: June 3rd
The Humen Opium Destruction (虎門銷煙) of 1839, led by Lin Zexu (林則徐), is commemorated in Taiwan as Anti-Smoking Day (禁菸節). This event, where large quantities of opium were destroyed near Guangzhou, marked China’s fight against the opium trade and sparked the First Opium War. In Taiwan, it symbolizes the dangers of addiction and public health advocacy, with June 3 chosen to align historical efforts against opium with modern anti-smoking campaigns. The helpline for quitting smoking in Taiwan also references “63” to honor this date.

Tiananmen Square Massacre Memorials 六四事件紀念活動

Date: June 4th
Every year there are usually events remembering the Tiananmen Square Massacre that occurred in Beijing, China on June 4th, 1989. Usually, some survivors of the events are present for the memorial in Taiwan. It is an important reminder of Taiwan’s current freedom in contrast to repression against free speech in China, and if Taiwan were to fall into China’s control Taiwanese freedom activists could face a similar fate.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 原住民族日

Date: August 1st
Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Taiwan, celebrated on August 1, honors the recognition and self-identification of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. The day stems from the 1984 Indigenous Naming Rights Movement, which sought to replace the term “mountain compatriots” with “indigenous peoples” and restore traditional names. In 1994, a constitutional amendment made the change official, and in 2005, the government designated August 1 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This day emphasizes indigenous peoples’ sovereignty, cultural heritage, and the need for respect. In 2016, the government, led by President Tsai Ing-wen, issued a formal apology to indigenous communities.

Father’s Day 父親節

Date: August 8th
Father’s Day is celebrated on August 8th, because 8/8 in Mandarin is a homophone for the word “Dad” (爸爸 baba / 八八 baba). It was officially declared a holiday on August 8, 1945, in the Republic of China to remember fallen fathers who had died during the Sino-Japanese War. Taiwanese people like to celebrate this holiday by taking their dads out for dinner, buying cakes, giving gifts, going on outings, or just giving their dads a phone call.

823 Artillery Battle Memorial Day 823砲戰紀念日

Date: August 23rd
The 823 Artillery Bombardment, or Second Taiwan Strait Crisis (1958–1979), was the most violent conflict between China’s PLA and Taiwan’s ROC forces since WW2, centered on Kinmen and nearby islands. It began with heavy artillery exchanges and evolved into a PLA blockade, countered by ROC efforts supported by the U.S. Navy. Over one million shells were fired, and the bombardment led to civilian evacuations to Taiwan, though many returned due to Kinmen. The crisis strained Sino-Soviet relations, influenced West Germany’s Cold War strategy, and left Kinmen with a unique legacy, including knives forged from shell casings. Taiwanese troops suffered heavy casualties. Usually, the president of Taiwan will visit Kinmen to remember fallen soldiers lost during the battle on this holiday.

Journalist’ Day 記者節

Date: September 1st
Journalists’ Day is a holiday recognizing the contributions of journalists to society and their courage in defending press freedom. In Taiwan, it is celebrated as “91 Journalists’ Day” on September 1, though it is not a public holiday. The holiday originated in 1933 when journalist Liu Yusheng, editor of Jiangsheng Daily, was killed by Jiangsu’s provincial government under the Republic of China. This incident galvanized the journalistic community, leading to the Nationalist government’s decree to protect press workers on September 1, 1933, which became the basis for the annual celebration.

Armed Forces Day 軍人節

Date: September 3rd
Armed Forces Day is held on the anniversary of the victory of the Sino-Japanese War. Originally, different branches of military had their own celebration days, but they were consolidated into one day beginning in 1955. On this day, various military branches hold celebrations. The President and other key government officials will visit the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine to honor fallen soldiers and those who contributed to the country.

Teachers’ Day / Confucious’ Birthday 孔子誕辰紀念日

Date: September 28th
This holiday remembers both Confucious and teachers in Taiwan. Every year, Confucian temples across Taiwan hold ritual ceremonies, and during Teacher’s Day, educational units across the island hold Teacher’s Day celebrations, honoring senior and outstanding teachers and staff. However, teachers do not get the day off from work. Students also often give presents to their teachers on this day.

Overseas Chinese Day 華僑節

Date: October 21st
Overseas Chinese Day, established by the Republic of China government after relocating to Taiwan, is celebrated annually on October 21st to honor the contributions of overseas Chinese to democracy. On October 21, 1952, the first Global Overseas Chinese Conference was held in Taipei, with 307 overseas Chinese attending. In recognition of their support, the government designated this day as Overseas Chinese Day. The celebration has since been held annually, with notable support from the KMT political party.

Taiwan Retrocession Day 臺灣光復節

Date: October 25th
Taiwan’s Retrocession Day, also known as “Glorious Recovery Day,” is celebrated on October 25th to commemorate Taiwan’s recovery from Japanese rule in 1945. The day marks the formal surrender of Japanese forces in Taiwan, with a ceremony held at Taipei City Hall. Taiwan became a part of the Republic of China, and the Taiwan Provincial Government officially began its operations. The holiday was later designated as Taiwan’s Retrocession Day in 1946. However, in 2000, the government removed it as a public holiday. Despite its historical significance, many Taiwanese people today view the day with indifference since shortly after the ROC took Taiwan there were military crackdowns, and martial law was imposed, known as the White Terror.

Halloween 萬聖節

Date: October 31st
Halloween is a Western holiday that has made its way into Taiwan’s mainstream culture. There are often Halloween parties throughout Taiwan on or around Halloween, and this matches perfectly with many young people’s passion for cosplay. You can also find Halloween costumes sold at most major supermarkets. Many private Halloween parties are held for children as well, and one notable celebration is held at Leo Foo Village Theme Park, as well as many other venues in Taiwan. However, you will not see trick-or-treaters anywhere except perhaps in the Expat community of Tianmu in Shilin District of Taipei City.

Chinese Cultural Renaissance Day / Sun Yat-sen‘s Birthday 國父誕辰紀念日 / 中華文化復興運動

Date: November 12
In November 1967, Taiwan’s government established November 12 (the birthday of Sun Yat-sen) as Chinese Cultural Renaissance Day. The Chinese Cultural Renaissance Movement Committee (now the Chinese Cultural Association), was established and the movement spread within Taiwan and overseas. It emerged as a response to the destruction of Chinese cultural heritage during the Cultural Revolution in Mainland China, aiming to protect and promote Chinese culture.

Constitution Day 行憲紀念日 (xíng xiàn jì niàn rì)

Date: December 25th
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, many people in Taiwan with Western influence such as myself think that it should become a public holiday again.

Christmas 聖誕節

Date: December 25th
As noted above, 7% of the population is Christian, so there are many people in Taiwan that 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.

Maps:

Here are a few maps of festivals around Taiwan for your reference.

Taiwan Lantern Festival Locations:

Taiwan Dragon Boat Racing Locations:

Taiwan Cherry Blossom Locations:

Thanks for reading! Did we miss any of your favorite festivals in Taiwan? Let us know in the comments.

You can also check out our full guide to Taiwan here.

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