The most crowded New Year’s Eve dinner ever—Yilan sets up 120 tables for a grand community reunion

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Lunar New Year is a very important festival for Chinese people. Those working away from home return to reunite with their families and enjoy warm moments together. However, in this era of industrialization, commercialization, and fast-paced living, the traditional festive atmosphere has gradually faded. To preserve the culture of traditional New Year celebrations, Yilan County Government launched the “Happy Yilan New Year” event in 1994 (the 83rd year of the Republic of China). This year marks its 21st edition, and for the first time, it includes a “Community Reunion Dinner” event, with 120 tables set up at the Lutung Cultural Factory Big Shed Square on New Year’s Eve.

▲ The “Community Reunion Dinner” during the Happy Yilan New Year’s Eve features 120 tables for a collective feast. (Photo / Provided by Yilan County Cultural Affairs Bureau)

Over the past 20 years, the “Happy Yilan New Year” event has traveled through towns and townships such as Luodong, Jiaoxi, Wujei, Yilan City, and Yuanshan. In 2014, the “Community Reunion Dinner” was introduced and received an enthusiastic response from the public. On New Year’s Eve, 120 tables were set up at the Lutung Cultural Factory Big Shed Square, where everyone gathered to celebrate and exchange New Year greetings. The lively atmosphere felt like a journey back in time to rural days, filled with joy, warmth, and human connection.

The evening program was led by instructor Lin Renjie along with renowned local bands, including the “Lanyang Brass Quintet,” “Yilan Youth Chinese Orchestra,” and “Contemporary Music Workshop,” with nearly 100 performers in total. They showcased a fresh take on traditional Chinese music with passionate tango pieces. This was followed by the “Stove-Lighting Ceremony,” which kicked off with a stunt performance combined with fire dancing. Yilan County Magistrate Lin Congxian, legislators Chen Aobo and Tian Qiujin jointly lit the stove. Guests wrote their new year wishes on blessing cards and threw them into the stove, praying for their swift fulfillment. According to tradition, any time after 11:00 PM is considered the next day, known as the “Zi Hour.” At 11:15 PM, Magistrate Lin and the guests counted down together, leading everyone in welcoming the new year. The long-awaited commemorative red envelopes were distributed at midnight, wishing everyone peace and prosperity in the Year of the Horse.

In addition to the New Year’s Eve gala, the Yilan Cultural Affairs Bureau has organized a series of spring outing activities. From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, there will be live singing, flair bartending, Taiwanese opera performances, and lion dances at the Lutung Cultural Factory. For exhibitions, there will be displays by renowned picture book author Jimmy Liao, the large-scale 3D installation “Afternoon on the Way to Spring” by Dayeh University, special exhibitions on village aesthetics, Yilan youth art, and traditional crafts by veteran artists from the old city.