Taiwan has launched the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi County, highlighting the country’s cultural heritage, technological innovation, and sustainability focus. The annual event, which attracts global visitors, positions Chiayi as a destination where nature, culture, and modern development converge.
The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival officially opened earlier this week on Tuesday in Chiayi County with a grand lighting ceremony at 7 pm. Lai Ching-te, President, Taiwan, joined government officials and tourism representatives to illuminate the festival’s main lantern titled “Alishan, Veiled in Luminous Mist”.
The annual festival is among Taiwan’s most recognised cultural celebrations, featuring large-scale lantern installations, immersive light displays, and international performances. The event draws visitors from across the world and highlights Taiwan’s fusion of traditional culture, artistic creativity, and technology.
Festival returns to Chiayi after eight years
The return of the festival to Chiayi County after eight years reflects the region’s evolving tourism positioning. Known for its scenic landscapes, forests, and agricultural heritage, Chiayi has increasingly developed as a destination combining nature-based tourism with modern technological growth.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lai Ching-te, President, Taiwan, said culture forms the foundation of a nation while technology provides the momentum for progress. He noted that the Taiwan Lantern Festival demonstrates how Taiwan integrates cultural heritage with innovation while responding to global challenges.
Chen Shih-kai, Minister of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan, said the festival reconnects natural ecology with future technology through its lantern artworks. He added that the event represents more than a lantern exhibition, positioning itself as a national cultural platform integrating tourism, industry, and future development.
Over 600 lantern installations across exhibition zones
Held under the theme “Illuminating Taiwan, Lighting Up Chiayi”, the 2026 festival features more than 600 lantern installations across two exhibition zones — the Main Lantern Exhibition Area and the Chiayi County Government Exhibition Area.
The festival includes one main lantern, two secondary lanterns, and 22 themed lantern zones designed to showcase Chiayi’s culture, history, and natural landscapes. Among the themed displays are installations exploring indigenous heritage, forestry traditions, agricultural prosperity, and Taiwan’s technological innovation.
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Main lantern celebrates Alishan heritage
At the centre of the festival stands the main lantern “Alishan, Veiled in Luminous Mist”, created by artists Yao Chung-han, Lu Yen-chen, and Chen Wei-chih. Inspired by the sacred trees of the Alishan mountain region, the installation incorporates elements of sunlight, water, and forest landscapes, and uses recycled wood materials to highlight sustainability.
Visitors can also receive a handheld lantern titled “OhBear Arrives in Chiayi”, featuring Taiwan’s tourism mascot OhBear riding a rocking horse and celebrating the Year of the Horse theme.
International performances and cultural parade
The festival will also host the TEAM TAIWAN Parade on Friday, 7 March, featuring a giant lantern from Japan’s Aomori Nebuta Festival alongside performances by Paper Windmill Theatre and international cultural groups.
Through the festival, the Taiwan Tourism Administration aims to strengthen Taiwan’s global tourism appeal while inviting travellers to explore Chiayi’s natural and cultural attractions.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
