Every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival is celebrated across Taiwan with vibrant festivities. When it comes to the most iconic lantern festival event, the "Taipei Lantern Festival" is absolutely unmissable. The 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival is particularly special, marking the first time an innovative curatorial approach of "dual exhibition zones, dual IP" has been adopted, seamlessly blending traditional Lantern Festival culture with internationally renowned IP to deliver an unprecedented visual feast.
The festival runs from February 25 to March 15, 2026, with lights on from 17:00 to 22:00 daily, spanning nearly a month and giving visitors of all ages ample time to plan their trips. This year's festival breaks away from the traditional single-zone format and will be held simultaneously at two locations: Ximending and the Floral Expo Park at Yuanshan. This expansion not only enlarges the event's scale but also allows visitors to experience two distinctly different atmospheres in one trip—the trendy youthful energy of Ximending contrasted perfectly with the spacious and relaxed vibe of the Floral Expo Park.
【Highlights】
The most eye-catching highlight of the 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival is undoubtedly the collaboration with the globally renowned IP "Transformers." At the Yuanshan Floral Expo exhibition zone, the main lantern featuring the 10-meter-tall Optimus Prime makes a stunning debut, with spectacular main lantern shows staged every half hour. The classic mechanical transformation movements of the Transformers come to life with stunning light and sound effects, captivating visitors of all ages. This marks the first time in Taiwan's lantern festival history that such a large-scale cross-border collaboration with a world-class IP has been achieved, showcasing Taipei's internationally diverse character.
At the Ximending exhibition zone, the globally beloved POP MART introduces 6 character IPs, with the 8-meter-tall Baby Molly main lantern stealing the show with its adorable charm, perfectly blending childlike wonder with fashion. Ximending is itself the birthplace of youth culture, and the dazzling POP MART lantern installations paired with the neighborhood's neon lights create a dreamlike nocturnal wonderland, giving the traditional lantern festival a fresh, trendy lease on life.
【Recommended Spots】
Speaking of Ximending, the most iconic street food is definitely "A-Zong Thick Noodles." This legendary shop, established over 40 years ago, has no seating and requires standing while eating, yet this doesn't diminish its popularity one bit. The signature thick noodles cost just NT$60 per bowl, featuring tender chewy pig intestines and fresh oysters in a rich yet non-greasy broth that has won the hearts of countless local and international visitors. Open Monday to Thursday from 11:00-22:30, extending to 23:00 on Fridays through Sundays—the perfect time to refuel after enjoying the lantern displays.
Just two metro stops away from Ximending, Shiihlen Night Market is the ideal destination to continue your food hunt after viewing the lanterns. Accessible via a 3-5 minute walk from Exit 1 of Jiantan Station, the street food here is budget-friendly, mostly ranging from NT$50-150. Charcoal-grilled chicken cutlet, Ten-Tien Pork Ribs, and spicy cold noodles are all popular choices. If you're craving traditional desserts, there are also several time-honored dessert shops nearby to satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you're looking for a more relaxed dining experience while enjoying the lanterns, "MAJI SQUARE Food Village" within the Floral Expo Park is an excellent choice. This area brings together restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, including Indian cuisine at Masala Art and Argentine BBQ at Gauchos, with dishes priced around NT$200-800 in a comfortable environment suitable for family gatherings. Worth noting is the Haritts donuts from Tokyo's Shibuya, whose soft and fluffy texture keeps dessert lovers coming back for more.
Lao Tian Lu卤味 (Lu-Wei) in Ximending is the top choice for souvenirs. This time-honored lu-wei shop offers various vacuum-packed delicacies, making it convenient for visitors to take home and share the festive joy with friends and family.
【Practical Information】
The 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival is free to attend, with no tickets required to enjoy all the spectacular lantern displays. For transportation, taking the MRT is recommended: for the Ximending exhibition zone, take the Songshan-Xindian Line to Ximen Station Exit 1; for the Yuanshan Floral Expo exhibition zone, take the Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Yuanshan Station Exit 1, approximately a 5-minute walk away. Shiihlen Night Market is near Exit 1 of Jiantan Station, linking all three locations into a perfect nighttime itinerary.
During the event period, crowds are expected to be large. The organizers have implemented comprehensive crowd control and directional guidance. It is recommended to download the official APP for real-time crowd updates.
【Travel Tips】
To avoid peak crowds, weekdays are recommended, especially Tuesday through Thursday evenings when foot traffic is relatively lighter and photo opportunities are better. If visiting on weekends is the only option, arriving at the exhibition zones around 4:30 PM is advisable. This allows you to first admire the lantern scenery during twilight, then wait for nightfall to enjoy the main lantern shows.
Since Ximending tends to be more crowded than the Floral Expo zone, if time permits, consider visiting the Transformers main lantern at the Floral Expo zone first, then take the MRT to Ximending to admire the POP MART lantern installations while sampling the surrounding food. Additionally, remember to wear comfortable shoes, as viewing the lanterns requires walking a fair distance, and comfortable footwear will make your journey more enjoyable.
