Taiwan Lantern Festival 2027: 20 February–7 March (est.), around HSR Miaoli Station

The 2027 Taiwan Lantern Festival is hosted by Miaoli County, provisionally opening on Yuanxiao night, with the lantern area concentrated in the HSR special district around HSR Miaoli Station in Houlong, about 30 hectares.

The 2026 edition was in Taibao, Chiayi County. The host county changes every year, which is why you see different cities named online.

The same Lantern Festival season has three separate events. ① The Taiwan Lantern Festival: an official main lantern (new theme each edition) plus county and city lantern zones, with the host county rotating each year; it ran 13 days in 2026 and is provisionally set for 16 days in 2027. ② The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (Pingxi, New Taipei): lanterns inscribed with wishes are released in waves over the valley. ③ The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks (Yanshui, Tainan): rocket towers fire bottle rockets into the crowd, and it is the only one of the three that requires a helmet and full-body cover. Pick the event first, then the city.

The main lantern has a new theme each edition, with timed light shows after dark. Arriving at dusk means smaller crowds: find a spot with a clear view of the whole lantern, then wait for the evening show. The county and corporate displays around it cover more ground than the main lantern area, so leave separate time for them.

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is run by the New Taipei City Government. In 2026 the mass releases took place on two nights, 27 February and 3 March (Yuanxiao). Release lanterns only at the official sessions and follow the rules, never under power lines or anywhere release is not allowed. From Taipei, take the train to Ruifang and change to the Pingxi Line.

Yanshui is not a fireworks show you watch from a distance: once a rocket tower is lit, the bottle rockets fly flat into the people around it. Full-body gear is required to enter the main firing zone at Yanshui Junior High School, and the Yanshui Wu Temple recommends non-flammable materials for the helmet, neck towel, heavy jacket, gloves and the rest. If you don't want to be hit, or have children with you, stay outside the firing zone.

On Yuanxiao night the Taiwan Lantern Festival opens in Miaoli while Pingxi and Yanshui run the same night in two other counties, so one night means one choice. For something family-friendly and safe, go to the Miaoli lantern area (it runs for weeks, so opening night is optional). For sky lanterns in a mountain valley, go to Pingxi. If you are fully equipped and willing to be hit by rockets, go to Yanshui. Since the lantern festival runs for weeks, you can spend Yuanxiao night in Pingxi or Yanshui and visit Miaoli on a weekday afterwards.

The 2027 lantern area is right by HSR Miaoli Station, which connects to TRA Fengfu Station. For Pingxi, take the train from Taipei to Ruifang and change to the Pingxi Line. Yanshui's town centre closes to traffic from 15:00 on Lantern Festival day, so take a bus from TRA Xinying Station. Rooms in Miaoli get scarce around Yuanxiao, so book early.

The county has made securing land for shuttles and parking a priority; shuttle and parking arrangements for 2027 have not been announced.

A common plan is to arrive at dusk, wait at the main lantern for the evening show, and then head out to the county and corporate zones. The outer displays are numerous and varied, and that is where most of the evening goes.

Opening night and weekend evenings are crowded, so for shorter queues arrive at dusk on a weekday. With older relatives, avoid the crush right in front of the main lantern. The grounds are large, so keep children close. After the shows, everyone heads for the station at once, so plan your HSR or TRA train home before you go in.

Yuanxiao is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and the last night of the New Year holiday, traditionally marked by carrying lanterns, viewing lantern displays and guessing lantern riddles. The Taiwan Lantern Festival turned it into a national event, with the host county chosen by the Tourism Administration and rotating every year: Taibao City in Chiayi County in 2026, Houlong in Miaoli County in 2027.