Visiting Taiwan in May 2026? From the Taichung Mazu International Festival to the Taiwan Festival of Arts and Asia Pride Games 2026, there is lots to do and many Taiwan events in May to enjoy; plus Taitung hosts the big beach party that is East Wave Music Festival 2026.
Taiwan’s biggest firework festival – 2026 Penghu International Fireworks Festival begins in May with over 30 coastal firework displays over several weeks. Better still, the Penghu fireworks festival this year is Dragonball Z themed!
Featuring baseball and Taipei concerts (including EXO and Sun Yanzi) here is our pick of the best Taipei and Taiwan events in May 2026.
This article was originally published on 26 March 2025.
You might like – Our monthly guides to all the best Taiwan festivals, events and exhibitions
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Taiwan Public Holidays in May 2026
Note there is one Taiwan public holiday in May 2026.
1 May is Labor Day in Taiwan (although not everyone gets to celebrate the holiday).
Please note that the Dragon Boat Festival holiday is on 19 June 2026 this year, not May like last year,
2026 Penghu International Fireworks Festival (Dragonball Z themed)
4 May to 25 August 2026
One of Taiwan’s biggest firework festivals, the Penghu islands burst into life in early May with the start of the Penghu International Firework Festival. There are 33 individual firework displays (the highest amount yet) and drone shows set to take place across 4 months.
This year in 2026, Penghu’s fireworks are Dragon Ball Z themed. We so want to see the Dragon Ball themed drone shows too.
The fireworks festival in Penghu ignites several times a week and are often best watched from Guanyin Pavilion (Guanyinting), an old temple looking out across the water.
Check out the official Penghu Fireworks festival 2026 site here >
You can visit Penghu by ferry from Chiayi, or you can take a flight there.
Get your 2026 Penghu Fireworks Festival Sea Fireworks boat ticket with Klook or KK Day.
Check out our Taipei neighbourhoods guides:
Beitou >
Dihua Street and Dadaocheng >
Gongguan and Longquan >
Tamsui >
Ximending >
Xinyi >
Zhongshan >
Also check out our guide to the best neighbourhoods in Taipei >
Taiwan Baseball Season 2026 / Chinese Professional Baseball League season
Across May 2026
Athletes of all abilities from over 100 countries descend on Taiwan for the World Masters Games 2025 which take place across the second half of the month.
Organised by the International Masters Games Association, like the Olympics, the World Masters Games are held every four years in different cities and 2025 is the turn of Taipei.
From taekwondo to tennis, squash to surfing, there are around 35 sporting activities represented with all competitors aged 30 years and above.
The 2025 World Masters Games kicks off with a parade from outside Taipei City Hall on 17 May 2025 and many of the activities will take place at Taipei Dome (also home to Taiwan baseball games).
Please note ticket details are still to be announced but tickets will be available for the opening ceremony plus limited events.
East Wave Music Festival Taiwan 2026
Taitung – 16 and 17 May 2026
April saw the huge Taiwan Music Festival in Kenting but May’s biggest concert and boutique beach party is the East Wave Music Festival in Taitung’s Sanya Bay, with free admission.
The beach concert starts at 3.30pm both days, and finishes late evening.
Taking place across 16 and 17 May 2026 in Taitung, the headline acts announced so far for 2026 are ØZI｜Karencici｜麋先生｜SLAPKISS｜孫淑媚｜安心亞｜周湯豪 Someshiit 山姆｜公館青少年｜宇宙人｜理想混蛋｜沈文程｜李英宏｜楊乃文
Check out the East Wave Taiwan festival official page on Instagram and Facebook for the latest line-up announcements.
Get your East Wave Music Festival tickets on Klook >
You might like our things to do in Taitung guide >
Taipei Treasure Hill Light Festival
Now on until 8 May 2026
A short walk from Gongguan MRT Station, Treasure Hill Artist Village is an interesting place to visit (free to walk around too).
It is an old settlement with many abandoned houses and areas that have been turned into artists studios (and many residents still live there).
Held every year over several weeks between late March and early May, several artists and creators install new temporary exhibits during the Treasure Hill Light Festival (the village and its artworks can also be visited all year round).
Exploring the theme of light, expect a wide range of installations and ‘illuminating’ pieces – this May 2025 Taipei event is free to attend. It is also a great activity to combine with nearby Gongguan Night Market, one of the best night markets in Taipei (and very authentic).
Treasure Hill also features in our weird, wonderful and unusual things to do in Taipei guide >
2026 Beitou Summer Festival
May to June 2026 – awaiting confirmation
An annual festival in Taipei, this year (TBC) sees the return of Beitou’s biggest celebration where live performances, pop-up photo spots and lots of local festivities take place.
This will be a fantastic one to combine with a day trip to Beitou and a walk through Taipei’s ‘mist’ see attraction, Beitou Thermal Valley.
You might like – Our guide to Taipei’s best day trips including spring resorts like Beitou and Wulai
2026 Taichung Mazu International Festival
2 to 16 May 2026
Taichung’s famous folk festival, the area is the start of a 300 km+ pilgrimage with followers carrying an effigy of the Taoist deity Mazu.
Worshippers take pilgrimage and there are lots of festivities and performances along the way, attracting visitors from all over the world. Activities take place at around a dozen temples across Taichung.
The 2026 Taichung Mazu festival which runs until 16 May 2026 – check their official Facebook page for more details >
2026 Kaohsiung Asia Pride Games 30 April to 4 May 2026
PRIDE WAVE 2026 – 1 to May 3 at Kaohsiung Music Center｜Sea Breeze Plaza
Asia’s largest LGBT+ sports festival arrives in Kaohsiung in early May. The 2026 Kaohsiung Asia Pride Games, featuring the “Pride Wave” festival, will take place in early May 2026 at the Kaohsiung Music Center (Sea Breeze Plaza) in Taiwan.
In parallel, the three-day Pride Wave event combines LGBTQ+ sports with a “Kingdom of the Night” party, featuring DJ sets, drag shows, and fun competitions, notably the Drag Arena Asia.
You might like our guide to Taipei Pride and Taipei LGBTQ+ Activities >
Mikan, Kaohsiung’s Station Cat Monthly Appearance
May 2026 date TBC
Once a month, you can meet Mikan 蜜柑, Kaohsiung’s cutest station cat.
Mikan has a huge social following, her own range of cute kitty merchandise and makes regular appearances at a Kaohsiung Metro KRTC station (KRTC stands for Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation).
A stray cat adopted by Kaohsiung station staff, Mikan the cat’s fanbase is growing all the time and hundreds flock to Ciaotou Sugar Refiner Kaohsiung Metro station every time she appears (often in costume). The station is even cat-themed, plus a bakery next door sells cat shaped steamed buns.
And if you can’t make her May appearance in Kaohsiung, there is a Mikan gift shop open daily at Zuoying MRT station.
Mikan’s next appearance is on <TBC> between 10am and 3pm – read about the time we met Mikan here >
Taoyuan Longgang Rice Noodle Festival 2026
1-2 May 2026
Taoyuan Longgang Rice Noodle Festival will take place at Taoyuan’s Yunnan Cultural Park, the Zhongzhen New Village Cultural Park and various rice fields.
There will be demonstrations of rice planting plus performances including singing, ancient agricultural ditties plus traditional street festivals.
At night, there are also epic evening activities and a special bonfire on the final night to close proceedings; free shuttle buses from the station will also likely be provided.
You might like – Our guide to Taiwan’s top souvenirs to buy and where to buy them in Taipei
Taiwan May 2026 Concerts & Gigs
There are many Taiwan concerts in May 2026 including:
EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon
9 and 10 May 2026 at Taipei Arena
Laufey
5 May 2026 at NTSU Arena
孫燕姿 Sun Yanzi
15 and 17 May 2026 at Taipei Dome
East Wave Music Festival Taiwan 2026
16 and 17 May 2026 – Taitung
BUS THE 1ST ASIA FANCON TOUR
28 May 2026 at Zepp New Taipei
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