Racing Lantern Festival, Beehive Fireworks, and Bombing the God of Wealth – Taiwan Celebrates Lantern Festival in Full Swing

Article by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, compiled and reported by Li Xinyi

 

This year’s “Taiwan Lantern Festival” will be held from February 24 to March 10 in the Hsinchu HSR Station Special Zone, the first time it is integrated with a high-speed rail station area. Centered around the thematic concept of “Gale, Speed, Future, and Taiwan,” it utilizes dynamic light changes and rhythmic illumination to create a sense of velocity. The design incorporates elements such as gales, bamboo clusters, clouds, and urban scenes, offering visitors a brand-new experience. A significant amount of bamboo structure is used to shape the spaces of various lantern zones. The highly anticipated main lantern features nearly 200,000 LED lights inside, which, along with ambient lighting effects, present a dazzling main lantern show that aligns with recent sustainability and environmental protection trends.

The “Taipei Lantern Festival” is held in the Taipei metropolitan area and boasts the most urban flair. This year’s main event will run from now until March 3 at the Flower Expo Yuanshan and Fine Arts Park. All exhibited themes are tied to the concepts of “Happy Taipei” and “Environmental Sustainability.” Designed around the theme “The Spiritual Snake Shines with Eco-Friendly Action, Blending Reality and Illusion to Transform the World,” the festival not only extensively uses eco-friendly materials but also incorporates projection mapping effects for transitions during the displays, breaking away from traditional lantern festival presentations.

 

The “Miaoli (Fire) Dragon” celebration follows ancient Hakka rituals from the Eye-Dotting Ceremony of the auspicious dragon, to the nine-grid dragon dance troupe performing to thank the gods, and finally to the dragon transforming and returning to the heavens. It is the most traditional Hakka-style Lantern Festival celebration. This year’s event runs from February 18 to February 26. The organizing Miaoli City Government has also set up a (Fire) Dragon Culture Museum exhibition and organized DIY workshops for bamboo-woven dragons, floral cloth lanterns, and painted lanterns. This year’s Beehive Fireworks activities will take place on February 23 and 24. The parade performances kick off on the 23rd, heralding the start of the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks. The lantern floats parading through the streets will follow tradition by setting off at 6 PM on the night of the Lantern Festival. Additionally, there will be a Beehive Fireworks Experience Camp, centralized fireworks viewing sessions, and a three-story-high fireworks fortress. Nearly 400 smaller fireworks forts will be launched in the alleys of Yanshui at different times.

The “Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival,” organized by the Kaohsiung City Government, will be held from February 16 to February 24. In addition to inviting Japan, Thailand, India, the United States, Nepal, Hong Kong, and Harbin to set up special lantern display zones, many outstanding Taiwanese street performers will also take part, offering visitors a taste of both international and local Taiwanese art and cultural essence. The mini lanterns given out have kaleidoscopic patterns on the back that can cast various light-transmitting designs onto walls. The “Taitung Lantern Folk Festival – Golden Snake Brings Joy and Blessings Series of Events” will be held from February 23 to February 28. Its folk parade is the 64-year-old “Bombing of the God of Wealth” event, known as the most daring performance during the Lantern Festival. Each year, dozens of units including temple palanquins, folk art troupes, and floats from various temples across Taitung County join in the celebration.

 

In addition, the “Taoyuan Lantern Festival in Luzhu,” organized by the Luzhu Township Office of Taoyuan County, will be held from February 14 to February 24. Coinciding with the Year of the Snake, the lantern festival team blends technology with ecological conservation and folk characteristics to present a spectacular lantern exhibition. The “Central Taiwan Lantern Festival,” organized by the Taichung City Government, will take place from February 18 to March 3. The main lantern show “Spiritual Snake Protecting the Pearl” features an LED snake with a modern, tech-inspired design, showcasing creative combinations of technology, machinery, and traditional zodiac culture for a refreshingly unique experience. The “Snake Welcomes Spring – Jiji Lanterns 2013 Jiji Spring Tour Season,” organized by the Jiji Township Office, will run from February 10 to February 27. In addition to lantern displays and pastoral flower sea exhibitions, the event also includes street performance art, local art and culture exhibitions, a festive market, and food streets, allowing visitors to enjoy sights and local snacks.

 

 

● Extended Reading: Lush Taitung – A Fun-Filled Three-Day, Two-Night Wellness Trip

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