The Taiwanderers are back in Taipei for Lunar New Year 2026 – the Taiwan / Taipei Lunar New Year 2026 is Tuesday 17 February 2026 and is an incredible time to be in Taiwan.
We were lucky enough to also be in Taiwan last year (2025) for Taipei Lunar New Year and we witnessed everything from Lion dances in Ximending and Xinyi to incredible ceremonies at Longshan Temple and Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple.
Whilst it is true that many shops, bars and restaurants (even Din Tai Fung) will be closed for at least a few days, it also means you get to visit incredible Lunar New Year markets like Dihua Street.
Taiwan’s temples are packed full of worshippers (Taipei Longshan temple is one of the best) and adorned with lit-up lanterns. Plus there are lots of February 2026 events to enjoy which then lead into Taiwan’s famous lantern festivals and other March events.
Featuring lots of Taipei 2026 Lunar New Year photos plus our previous visits to Taiwan during Lunar New Year, here is our ultimate guide to celebrating Lunar New Year 2026 in Taipei and Taiwan.
Taiwan checklist
We love using agoda.com, expedia.com and booking.com for researching and booking all our hotels.
For booking tours, transfers and buying SIM cards/eSIMs we recommend Klook, Get Your Guide, Viator or KK Day. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars. For private drivers and taxis, check out our Transfer guide >
For more recommendations, check out our Taiwan travel booking resources page >
All set for Taiwan? Do one final check with our Taipei first timers guide and our packing list guide. Travelling with kids? Check out our Taipei For Kids eBook >
When is Taiwan‘s Lunar New Year 2026 and what is open?
Lunar New Year in Taiwan / Taipei in 2026 falls on Tuesday 17 February 2026, however celebrations start the day before on Monday 16 February (Lunar New Year’s Eve).
Many Taiwanese people have special reunion meals with family on the evening of Lunar New Year’s Eve so expect many small restaurants and businesses to be closed from around lunchtime onwards on this day (and all day on Lunar New Year Day). Most convenience stores and some chain restaurants will be open.
Lots of festivities and Lunar New Year markets usually start a few days before Lunar New Year day (like the famous Dihua Street Lunar New Year market in Taipei).
In 2026, many Taiwanese will be taking off the whole week and going on holiday for the 2026 Lunar New Year from the 13 or 14 February until 23 February.
In fact Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport put out a report saying they expected Taipei airport to be busiest 13 to 15 February 2026 as people fly out to visit relatives or spend time in other parts of Taiwan or overseas.
Popular Taipei attractions will may be closed over the holidays. Examples include:
- Maokong Gondola – closed Lunar New Year Eve (16 February)
- Taipei Zoo – closed Lunar New Year Eve (16 February)
- Taipei 101 Observation Deck – closes early at 6pm on Lunar New Year Eve (16 February)
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – closed Lunar New Year Eve (16 February) and Lunar New Year Day (17 February). The Memorial Park is open as normal.
Larger night markets such as Rahoe night market, Shilin night market and Ningxia night market will maintain normal operating hours during the holidays (smaller night markets are more likely to close).
The tourist friendly neighbourhood of Ximending will still be busy and is a good place to visit on Lunar New Year Eve as many stores will be open. Major chain stores in this area will close early, but smaller independent stores (clothing, toys, souvenirs etc) will be open until late, as well as fast food and drink kiosks and some restaurants.
Join our Facebook Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Group!
Need help with your Taiwan itinerary or have any questions? Head on over to the most fun and fastest growing Taiwan Facebook group with 175,000+ members and ask the experts!
Click here to join our group >
Or if you just want to see more of our Taiwan photos, follow our Taiwan Facebook page or our Taiwan Instagram account
Lunar New Year birth sign
This year’s 2026 Lunar New Year sign is the horse – so Lunar New Year is referred to as the ‘Year of the Horse’ this time around.
The year / animal changes each year, based on the 12 signs of the zodiac – so 2027 will be the Year of the Goat, and 2025 was the Year of the Snake – hence the pictures of snake souvenirs we’ve included here were taken from last year when it was the Year of the Snake.
Whatever year you are born in dictates your zodiac signs and possible characteristics (so they say.
When walking around Taipei and Taiwan during Lunar New Year, you’ll see lots of shops, markets and pop-up stalls selling snake themed tokens, charms, decorations and cards.
Lots of big brands also ‘cash-in’ and so far in Taiwan this year, we’ve seen everything from Hello Kitty Chinese New Year souvenirs to Snoopy souvenirs (Snoopy dressed as a snake is different!)
You might like – Our guide to the best Taiwan souvenirs or the best places to buy souvenirs in Taipei
Chinese New Year vs Lunar New Year In Taiwan
Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are effectively the same thing but Lunar New Year is the preferred title outside of China, to reflect that it is celebrated in many countries.
Chinese New Year 2026 is 17 February 2026 but we will be referring to it as Lunar New Year throughout this article.
You might like – Our Taiwanderers guide to the best 15 day trips from Taipei including Beitou, Tamsui and Wulai
What happens in Taipei and Taiwan during Lunar New Year
Taiwan’s temples like Longshan come alive with celebrations and many Taiwanese and tourists from overseas escape their home cities to take breaks in Taiwan holiday hotspots like Sun Moon Lake and Alishan.
Most Taiwanese will be taking off the week to celebrate Lunar New Year from mid February and the preceding weekend – if you are travelling during this time, be sure to book your THSR and rail tickets in advance as well as your Taipei hotels.
Locals also love to shop and buy traditional items such as wrapped sweets or packaged fruits to give to other family members as gifts.
Many Taiwan convenience stores and supermarkets like Carrefour will also sell Lunar New Year Lucky Bags such as a Year of the Horse Lucky bag. We spotted this Year of the Snake one last Taipei Lunar New Year in a FamilyMart.
Lunar New Year In Taiwan vs New Year’s Day
Lunar New Year usually falls in late January but 2026 is different / later and it falls in February – Taiwan also celebrates New Year’s Day.
New Year’s Day (Republic Day) falls on 1 January in Taiwan and is celebrated as a public holiday.
When the New Year falls on a weekday (as it does in 2026 – Thursday 1 January), locals are only entitled to one day but many will take more days off to celebrate it.
In this respect (taking time off and enjoying the festivities), Lunar New Year and the other New Year are quite similar – but Lunar New Year is bigger and more prolonged.
You might like – Our guide to Christmas in Taipei or the best Taipei 101 New Year Firework viewing spots
2026 Lunar New Year Activities in Taipei / Taiwan – Year of the Horse
We’ve been lucky enough to spend several Lunar New Years in Taiwan including last year.
We will be also staying in Taipei during the 2026 Lunar New Year and regularly sharing Lunar New Year events and pictures from Taiwan in our Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Facebook group.
Here are some of the best 2026 Lunar New Year Activities in Taipei:
Lunar New Year Lion Dances in Taipei
There are several famous Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year dances in Taipei in 2026.
Grand Hyatt Taipei Hotel Lion Dance
17 February 2026 at 10.45am
Celebrate the Taiwan Lunar New Year at the Taipei Grand Hyatt hotel with a spectacular lion dance in the foyer starting from 10.45am with a huge drum ensemble.
This free Lunar New event in Taipei is open to all, not just hotel guests. If you only have time to watch one lion dance performance in Taipei then we recommend the Grand Hyatt hotel (we’ve attended in both 2025 and 2026).
The event starts with a small traditional lion dance and some drumming outside the hotel, along with a rather loud firecracker display which is fun to watch (you might want to bring ear protectors though)! The event then continues inside the Grand Hyatt hotel foyer with a more acrobatic lion dance performance.
Children and families can enjoy workshops like woodblock printing and balloon modelling.
Treat yourself to a Grand Hyatt Taipei hotel room booking >
You might like – Our guide to the best things to do in Taipei with kids >
Taipei 101 Lion Dance
17 February 2026 at 10.30am
If you are heading to the Grand Hyatt Taipei Lunar New Year Lion Dance, get there a little early and watch the earlier lion dance right outside the main entrance of Taipei 101 in Xinyi.
It is only a two minute walk between the two so watch the Taipei 101 lion dancing show then step over to the Hyatt – this one is also free.
Taiwanderers Tip – Also, on Lunar New Day in Xinyi last year, we went for a coffee in Taipei 101 after the lion dances.
A ‘simple’ (Kaffa) way to get Taipei 101 views without paying the full admission price, Simple Kaffa Sola is the newest Taipei 101 cafe and coffee shop located on the 88th floor of the Taipei 101 tower.
Simple Kaffa Sola is also the highest / tallest cafe in Taipei, Taiwan – read our guide here >
Other hotels in Taipei
Other large hotels such as the Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel and the Shangri-La Far Eastern hotel in Taipei usually hold small Lunar New Year festivities in their hotel lobby that includes traditional dancing and activities. Check the individual hotel Facebook and Instagram pages for up to date information and timings.
Ximending Red House Lion Dance 2026
19 February 2026 at 3pm
Again, we were lucky enough to see this ourselves last year and it takes place outside the famous and historic Red House in Ximending.
A huge crowd gathers at ‘The Red House’ to watch traditional drumming and a lion dance plus the deity of wealth, “Caishen” usually throws sweets into the audience.
Given Ximending is popular with tourists, this is one of the busiest free Lunar New Year events in Taipei – you can also get a great aerial view from the balcony outside upstairs (I watched from here and even managed to catch some of the free sweets; Caishen has a powerful throw)!
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi Place Lunar New Year Celebrations
February 2026 – dates TBC
As well as Taipei 101 and Grand Hyatt Taipei, Xinyi’s Lunar New Year celebrations continue at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi Place with lion dances, drumming and performances by local dance groups and schools. These events tend to take place over a few days during the Lunar New Year holiday.
We stumbled upon this by chance and enjoyed several performances before doing a spot of New Year shopping.
PS Honhui Plaza in Xinzhuang District Taipei also has a Lunar New Year lion dance and celebrations but we haven’t seen it ourselves so don’t have pictures to share.
Linkou Zhulinshan Guanyin Temple
February 2026 TBC
One of our Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Facebook group members alerted us to a Lunar New Year circus and lion dance at the Zhulinshan Guanyin Temple.
It is a big local temple in Taipei, representing several villages in the area. It is famous for its New Year festivities and is accessible from the A9 Linkou Metro station, part of the Taoyuan Airport MRT line.
The full schedule of 2026 activities can be found here >
Lunar New Year Markets
2026 Dihua Street Lunar New Year Market
31 January to 15 February 2026
The Lunar New Year 2025 in Taiwan brings good fortune for many – one of the best places to experience the Lunar New Year in Taipei is Dihua Street in the Dadaocheng District.
As well as the temples being awash with red lanterns (especially Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple) and the constant smoke and bangs of fire-crackers being set off, Dihua Street plays host to a huge Lunar New Year market along its historic main road.
The historic district of Dihua Street and Dadaocheng is perhaps most famous for its amazing architecture, traditional Chinese medicine shops and Lunar New Year celebrations – however, in recent years, the area has welcomed an influx of coffee shops and craft beer bars.
Check out our guide on visiting Taipei’s Dihua Street during Lunar New Year here with lots of photos to show you what to expect >
Jingao Holiday Flower Market
Daily February Opening / Extended Hours until 16 February 2026
A ‘gem’ of a Taipei weekend market, Jianguo Jade Market and Holiday Flower Market (建國玉市) usually takes place every Saturday and Sunday in Taipei’s Da’an District but it open daily in the run-up to Lunar New Year.
We visited the Jingao Holiday Flower Market a few days before the 2025 Lunar New Year and it was BUSY with shoppers and their New Year preparations.
Usually the Jingao Flower Market is only open at weekends but during this holiday season, it is likely open daily from 9am to 8pm until 15 February 2026 (and from 9am to 5pm on Lunar New Year eve).
The peonies are in full bloom plus there are lots of Lunar New Year decorations to browse & buy.
Read our full guide to Jianguo Jade Market and Holiday Flower Market in Taipei >
Huashan 1914 Creative Park 2025 Lunar New Year market
2026 dates still TBC
Last Lunar New Year in Taipei, we went to the opening day of the Huashan 1914 Creative Park Lunar New Year arts and crafts market and it was a nice addition to the other shops, bars and restaurants at this cultural and arts hub.
The fair is on daily from 12pm to 6pm usually before and after Lunar New Year; but closed on Lunar New Year Day itself – entry is free.
Taipei Temples During Lunar New Year
All temples in Taiwan will welcome worshippers during Lunar New Year and many (like Longshan Temple) extend their regular opening hours.
Perhaps the most famous temples to see Lunar New Year celebrations in Taipei are the famous Longshan temple (known for its incredible chanting ceremonies) and Songshan Ciyou Temple near Raohe Night Market.
Many temples will also have people setting off firecrackers to help celebrate the New Year – last Lunar New Year in Taipei we visited Ching Shui Yen Tsu Shih temple (where a lovely volunteer gave us an impromptu tour and Bangka Qingshan Temple, both bedecked with lanterns).
Members of our Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Facebook group also recommend Fo Guan Shan Temple in Xinyi and Dharma Drum Temple for the best Lunar New Year activities and ceremonies in Taipei.
You might like – our guide to Longshan Temple in Taipei including the chanting ceremony times >
Taiwan Lottery Lunar New Year
With around 6,000 branches, the yellow and red Taiwan lottery shops are a popular sight and during Taiwan Lunar New Year, the stakes are even higher with bigger than usual prizes to be won like NT$20 million scratchcards.
Often lottery shops near temples have huge crowds as locals feel these are luckier, especially during the holiday season.
You will likely see huge queues forming out the Taiwan Lottery shop draws as people vie to win big.
For instance, the annual “NT$20 Million Super Red Envelope” (2000萬超級紅包) offers ten top prizes of NT$20 million each and 1,200 second prizes of NT$1 million – in total, there are almost 8 million winning tickets!
Every Taiwan Lunar New Year, the Taiwan Lottery releases a “Golden Series” scratch-off which locals get excited about – good luck!
Lunar New Year accommodation
A quick mention about Lunar New Year accommodation in Taipei. Prices sky rocket during Lunar New Year (and Chinese New Year anywhere generally) so be sure to try and book your Taipei hotels and accommodation well in advance.
You might like – Our guide to Ximending accommodation to suit all budgets >
Our Taipei Lunar New Year itinerary
Here at Taiwanderers, we like to do all the hard work so you don’t have to – this was our Lunar New Year itinerary which you may want to replicate or take elements from:
All this was on Lunar New Year Day itself which in 2026 is 17 February:
- 10:30am – Taipei 101 LNY lion dance
- 11am – Grand Hyatt Taipei New Year celebrations, lion dance & fire
- 12pm – Brews with views at ‘Simple Kaffa Sola’ on the 88th floor of Taipei 101
- 1pm – Kura Sushi lunch & shopping in Xinyi – it was very busy with families
- 2:30pm – Taipei colourful manhole spotting – read our guide here >
- 4pm – A wander around Ximending & watching the street performers – most stores were open apart from the smaller gift shops
- 5pm – Walk to Ching Shui Yen Tsu Shih temple which is bedecked with lanterns.
- 5:30pm – Longshan Temple – it is so beautiful with incredibly large lanterns. One of the highlights of the Lunar New Year for us.
- 6pm – Taipei night market time – MonGa & Huaxi night markets.
- 7pm – We planned to feast on braised pork rice at ‘Wang’s Broth’ but it was closed on Lunar New Year day – so do check ahead if you want to go to a specific restaurant. We got some rice noodles at a nearby Vietnamese joint instead
- 8pm – We walked back via Ximending and saw some early Taipei Lantern Festival installations lit up – here is our Taipei Lantern festival guide >
Taiwan Lunar New Year restaurants and night markets
Many family run and smaller restaurants in Taipei / Taiwan will close during Lunar New Year – those that remain open may book up in advance with large group bookings so try to plan in advance.
Even famous restaurant chains like Din Tai Fung which hardly ever close will remain shut for two days over Lunar New Year. As mentioned, we went to Wang’s Broth but found it closed.
Taipei’s bigger night markets will be busy over Lunar New Year too and some stalls will be closed (but many remain open too) – check our guide to Taipei’s best Night Markets here >
Taiwanderers Email Newsletter!
For travel tips and fun news, make sure you subscribe to our Taiwanderers Taiwan Travel Tips email newsletter! Click here to sign up (you can unsubscribe at any time)
Taiwan Lantern Festivals – March 2026
Directly after Lunar New Year, Taiwan is famous for its incredible lantern festivals.
The 2026 Taiwan Lantern festival returns for its 37th year, heading to Chiayi from 3 to 15 March 2026.
After a successful and record breaking Taiwan Lantern Festival last year in Taoyuan which attracted over 15 million people, this year’s Chiayi 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before.
The national Taiwan Lantern Festival takes place from 12 to 23 February 2025 next to Taoyuan High Speed Rail (HSR) station, which can be easily reached from Taipei in just 20 minutes.
Better still, the Taiwan Lantern Festival is free to visit and one of the best events in March 2026, taking place just after the Lunar New Year in Taiwan.
The smaller Taipei Lantern Festival also begins in Ximending from late February / early March 2026 (dates still TBC) – read our Taipei lantern festival guide here >
Found this article helpful?
Did you enjoy our Lunar New Year in Taipei article? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.
You can follow Taiwanderers on:
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
Join our Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Facebook group >
I am reading this now as we arrived in Taipei and overwhelmed with what to do for the next few days.
Love your article.. definitely wrote down some dot point
I arived in Taipei a few hours ago i red tour article and it seems that every places will be closed today. I really don’t know what to do for tonight.