2020 Taiwanese New Year Vibes in Taipei (Jan 10–Jan 23)
■ Dates: Jan 10, 2020 – Jan 23, 2020
■ Location: Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District, Taipei City
During the Lunar New Year season, a lively festive atmosphere envelops all of Taiwan. To experience the most authentic local New Year spirit, the Lunar New Year street markets are an absolute must-visit (Recommended: Where to pray during the Lunar New Year?). When it comes to Lunar New Year street fairs, the first place that comes to mind for Taipei residents is undoubtedly Dihua Street — “Renowned upstream and downstream.” This year, in addition to the usual Lunar New Year market activities, the Taipei City Government has launched the “Enhancing the New Year Goods Street’s Product Charm and Distinctiveness Plan” to build brand value for the market. It’s expected to elevate the overall quality of the event — stay tuned!
2020 World Trade New Year Goods Exhibition (Jan 3–Jan 6)
■ Dates: Jan 3, 2020 – Jan 6, 2020
■ Location: No. 5, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City (World Trade Center Hall 1)
The 2020 World Trade New Year Goods Exhibition will kick off with a bang from Jan 3 to Jan 6. This year’s event is bigger than ever, featuring over 1,000 booths and participation from 350 domestic and international vendors. Special zones have been arranged, including the “Popular New Year Dishes Area,” “Trendy Gift Items Area,” “Dried Fruits & Local Products Area,” “Snacks & Sweets Area,” “Good Luck Items Area,” and “New Year Pampering Products Area” — six themed sections in total. There will also be different limited-time discount offers each day, so don’t miss out (Recommended: Stay in Xinyi District with a view of Taipei 101!).
2020 Tianjin New Year Goods Street (Jan 9–Jan 23)
■ Dates: Jan 1, 2020 – Jan 23, 2020
■ Location: Tianjin Road Commercial Area, North District, Taichung City
The largest, most booth-packed, and most diverse New Year Goods Street in central Taiwan is none other than Taichung’s Tianjin New Year Goods Street (Recommended: Rainy day backup plans for Taichung — still fun even when it pours!). This year’s event will run for 15 consecutive days, featuring over 300 booths to ensure visitors can shop to their heart’s content.
2020 Celebrate the New Year Well – Sanchung Middle Street New Year Goods Market
■ Location: Sanchung Middle Street, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
The battle of New Year Goods Streets certainly isn’t dominated by just the north and central regions — the Sanchung Middle Street market in southern Taiwan is the most iconic New Year shopping district in the south (Recommended: A Kaohsiung food cheat sheet). The Sanchung Middle Street area is home to around 100 long-established shops selling mountain and seafood products, Chinese herbal medicine, nuts, candies, cookies, and other local goods. During the Lunar New Year period, even more vendors set up shop, making the entire street bustling with energy. Shopping for New Year supplies here truly captures the festive vibe.
2020 Moon River Lantern Festival (Jan 18–Feb 16)
■ Dates: Jan 18, 2020 – Feb 16, 2020
■ Location: Moon River Park, Yanshuei District, Tainan City
Aside from shopping for New Year goods, lantern festivals are definitely another highlight not to be missed in January. Organized by the Tainan City Government in Yanshuei District, the Moon River Lantern Festival features a different theme each year and invites international art troupes to participate, with installations both on land and water (Recommended: Stay at a youth hostel in Tainan for under NT$500 a night!). The 2020 festival is themed “Mirage,” derived from the Latin word meaning “a wonderful sight.” It represents the Moon River of memory, where imagination and reality intertwine to create the optical wonder of a mirage, while also exploring the multi-faceted identity of Yanshuei through the lens of time. This allows visitors to form a more intuitive connection between the artworks and the locale. While you’re at Moon River, don’t miss the nearby Qiaonan Old Street!
Recommended Reading:Taiwan’s Top Seven Popular Temples for Lunar New Year Worship to Welcome Wealth in the Year of the Rat
2020 Taoyuan Kaping Mountain Plum Blossom Season (Jan 12, Jan 18, Jan 19)
■ Dates: Jan 12, 2020 – Jan 19, 2020 (specific dates: Jan 12, Jan 18, Jan 19)
■ Location: Kaping Mountain Villa Area, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City
The plum blossoms on Kaping Mountain in Taoyuan’s Fuxing District have begun to bloom one after another, giving the villa area a fresh snow-like look. The best time to admire the plum blossoms is from late December to January each year. The Taoyuan City Government will host the “2020 Kaping Mountain Villa Area Plum Blossom Season” over three holiday dates: Jan 12, 18, and 19. With an artistic and musical appreciation theme, the event includes six major highlights: lawn games, local cultural performances, delicious food truck treats, children’s interactive performance zones, plum blossom calligraphy for the New Year, and DIY children’s souvenirs. Families are welcome to join in the fun (Recommended: What else is there to do in Taoyuan?).
Recommended Reading:2020 Taiwan Cherry Blossom Season: “Wuling Farm & Alishan” – Super Dreamy Picnic Plans!
Tamsui Tianyuan Temple Cherry Blossom Season (Late January – Mid March)
■ Dates: Late January to mid-March
■ Location: No. 36, Section 3, Beixin Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City
There are cherry blossoms in January too! Although most people associate cherry blossom season with March and April, every Lunar New Year, Tianyuan Temple attracts large crowds of visitors eager to admire the blooms. This is because the tri-color cherry blossoms on the mountain behind the temple bloom right around the New Year, unlike the Yoshino cherry blossoms that flower in March. As a result, you can enjoy cherry blossoms at Tianyuan Temple from late January to mid-March (Recommended: How to explore Tamsui? Take the light rail!). If you’re not in the mood for shopping during the Spring Festival holiday but also don’t want to stay cooped up at home, why not head to Tamsui’s Tianyuan Temple to admire the cherry blossoms?
2020 Love Luye – Explore Er Ceng Ping (1/25–2/2)
■ Dates: January 25, 2020 – February 2, 2020
Rural Market: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Flower Field Concert: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
■ Location: Er Ceng Ping Shuiqiao, Pingding Road, Ruilong Village, Luye Township, Taitung County
Is Luye only about hot air balloons? Think again! The Er Ceng Ping Shuiqiao in Luye is a rare floating irrigation canal in Taiwan. With its classic design and the surrounding vast terraced fields, riverbank terrain, and badland landscapes, it creates a uniquely beautiful scenery. That’s why Taitung County Government chose this spot to host the “Rural Landscape Art Festival.” Visitors can take photos with the stunning water bridge and adorable art installations. Throughout the event period, there’s a rural market and flower field concert every day. Friends planning to visit eastern Taiwan during the Lunar New Year must check it out (Recommended: Must-try Taitung delicacies)!
After seeing all these activities, do you feel the Lunar New Year atmosphere even more? This year, the holiday comes early, so everyone should hurry up and plan activities before and after the New Year to fully experience Taiwan’s unique festive culture (Recommended: Top spots for New Year outings across Taiwan)!
[FunTime Travel Recommendation] Authorized reprint. Original source: [Travel Activity Calendar – A Complete Roundup of January Events Across Taiwan]
Managing Editor: Hovis
Proofreading Editor: Reese