Quick answer: the Taiwan Lantern Festival 2027 (臺灣燈會) is planned for 20 February to 7 March 2027 in Miaoli County, with the main lantern area around HSR Miaoli Station in Houlong. Entry is free. The Lantern Festival day itself is Saturday 20 February 2027, and the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and Yanshui Beehive Fireworks are held around the same night.
The fifteenth night of the lunar new year is when Taiwan glows brightest: giant lantern installations, hundreds of sky lanterns rising over Pingxi and the wild Beehive Fireworks in Yanshui. If you are planning a Taiwan trip for February 2027, here are the dates, how to get there and what I would do differently to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Taiwan Lantern Festival 2027: dates and venue
| Event | 2027 dates | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan Lantern Festival (臺灣燈會) | 20 Feb – 7 Mar (planned) | Around HSR Miaoli Station, Houlong | Free; theme 山海之間．慢城光苗 |
| Lantern Festival day (元宵節) | Saturday 20 Feb | All of Taiwan | Lantern riddles, tangyuan |
| Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival | Around 20 Feb, dates TBA | Pingxi, New Taipei | Mass sky lantern releases at night |
| Yanshui Beehive Fireworks | Nights of 19–20 Feb | Yanshui, Tainan | Protective gear required |
Miaoli County chose to concentrate the lanterns on one site of about 30 hectares around the High Speed Rail station rather than spreading them across several towns, which should make shuttles, parking and getting around much simpler.
How to get to the Lantern Festival in Miaoli
- High Speed Rail: Taipei to HSR Miaoli Station takes roughly 40–60 minutes depending on the train, and the lantern area surrounds the station.
- Shuttle buses: the county will run shuttles and set up parking; routes are published closer to the festival.
- Timing: lanterns light up from late afternoon. Opening night and weekends are packed, so go on a weekday if you can.
5 Lantern Festival experiences in Taiwan
1. The Taiwan Lantern Festival in Miaoli
Taiwan’s biggest lantern show moves to a different county every year. In 2027 it is Miaoli’s turn, with a theme that tells the county’s story from mountains and sea to modern industry. It is free, so arrive in the late afternoon to catch sunset before the lanterns come on.
2. Sky lanterns in Pingxi and Shifen
In Shifen Old Street in Pingxi you can write a wish on a sky lantern and release it beside the railway tracks any day of the year. During the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, hundreds are released together after dark; 2027 dates are announced closer to the full moon.
3. Yanshui Beehive Fireworks in Tainan
One of Taiwan’s most intense folk festivals: fireworks are fired straight into the crowd in a ritual to drive away disease. To stand close you need a full-face helmet, thick long sleeves and gloves. It is not suitable for children.
4. Taipei and Kaohsiung lantern festivals
Taipei and Kaohsiung (along the Love River) usually hold their own lantern festivals around the full moon. They are easier options if you cannot get to Miaoli; 2027 dates are announced by each city.
5. Lantern riddles and tangyuan
On Lantern Festival night, temples and neighbourhoods hang riddles on lanterns (猜燈謎) with small prizes for correct answers. The dish of the night is tangyuan (湯圓), sweet rice balls that symbolise family reunion.
Taiwan weather in February
February in northern Taiwan is cool and often drizzly, with Taipei typically around 14–19°C; outdoor festival grounds feel colder at night. Pack a windproof jacket and a small umbrella. It is also cherry blossom season: see my Taiwan cherry blossom guide.
Tips for Taiwan Lantern Festival 2027
- Book High Speed Rail seats and hotels early; rooms around Miaoli and Hsinchu go fast.
- Visit on a weekday and skip opening night if you dislike crowds.
- Follow the festival’s and Miaoli County’s official pages for lighting times and shuttle routes.
- Check entry rules for your passport before booking.
- Been to Taiwan before? Check the NT$8,000 repeat visitor lucky draw.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Taiwan Lantern Festival 2027?
In Miaoli County, with the main lantern area around HSR Miaoli Station in Houlong Township.
When is the Taiwan Lantern Festival 2027?
It is planned for 20 February to 7 March 2027, starting on the Lantern Festival day.
Is the Taiwan Lantern Festival free?
Yes, entry is free.
Can I release a sky lantern in Pingxi outside the festival?
Yes. Shops in Shifen Old Street sell sky lanterns year-round; the festival adds mass releases at night.
Watch: Taiwan on my YouTube channel
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✍️ Phan Thế Anh – Vietnamese travel blogger, PhD in marketing and Busan Tourism Ambassador. Follow on YouTube @ThayGiaoAnh, Instagram @lecturer.anh & TikTok @phantheanh88.
