Travel Weekly / Haven’t planned for Christmas yet? Come to the carnival and gift factory

Travel Centre / Taipei Report

The end-of-the-world prophecy has been debunked. With Christmas just around the corner, have you decided how you’ll spend it? Even though you still have to work an extra day this weekend, why not plan ahead for the upcoming Christmas to relax and enjoy the festive cheer? Whether it’s joining a carnival, watching movies, or visiting museums, there are plenty of Christmas-related events happening all over Taiwan.

 
▲ New Taipei City Christmas Tree, featuring five different outfits that alternate at night. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)

[New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town]
In line with the 2012 New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town series of events, this initiative collaborates with local religious groups. With the theme “Reconciliation. Compassion. Peaceful Night” from traditional Christian churches, it creates a warm, joyful, and festive atmosphere for Christmas Eve in New Taipei City.

Charity Fun Fair: Four major zones (family games area, gospel fortune-telling area, charity booth area, and food stall area) are set up around Civic Square, featuring a total of 50 booths to attract visitors.

Christmas Eve Gala: Well-known church entertainers will liven up the atmosphere, while a thousand-member choir performs a multicultural medley (sung in Mandarin, Aboriginal languages, Hakka, and English), showcasing the diversity of the church.

Christmas Memorial Stockings: Inspired by the tradition of gift-giving during Christmas, this activity invites local disadvantaged groups to participate and receive gifts, sharing the joy of the season and spreading blessings of peace.

Event Date: December 24, 16:00–21:30
Venue: New Taipei City Government Civic Square (No. 161, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City)

[Yingge Ceramics Museum - Christmas Gift Dream Factory]
When Christmas arrives, Santa’s Gift Dream Factory is always bustling. Auntie Pottery has prepared stories from the gift dream factory to take children into Santa’s workshop and make Christmas gifts for mom and dad together. This program includes four DIY painting options such as a happy gift box, Christmas wind chime, small clay brick, and wish box.

Event Date: December 22 to December 25, 2011
Event Time: Three daily sessions (9:40–10:40, 11:00–12:00, and 2:00–3:00 PM); an additional fourth session on December 23 (3:30–4:30 PM)
Ticket Price: 100 NTD
Venue: Children’s Experience Room, B1, Yingge Ceramics Museum
Registration: Both pre-registration and on-site registration are available. Limited to 50 participants, first come first served (children aged 4 to 12 can join)

[Leofoo Village - 2012 Christmas: Sending Love to the Park]
Jingle bells~ The annual Leofoo Village charity Christmas event is coming soon. On December 23 (Sunday), in addition to inviting underprivileged children’s groups to enter for free, general visitors can also enjoy free admission to Leofoo Village if they wear a Santa costume and donate three children’s books. Advance registration is required for these activities. For registration details, please download the form below and follow the instructions.

[Shilin Official Residence - Adding Christmas Charm, Open-Air Cinema Kicks Off This Weekend]
Want to experience how the former First Family, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling, celebrated Christmas at the official residence? Want to watch a movie in the greenery-filled national historic site of Shilin Official Residence? From December 18 to January 6 next year, Shilin Official Residence is planning a series of “Joyful Official Residence Christmas” events. In addition to recreating Christmas scenes inside the official residence, open-air movie screenings will be held in the garden on the evenings of December 22 and 23.

Former President Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling were devout Christians who placed great importance on Christmas. In the past, preparations and decorations for the holiday would begin after mid-December. Therefore, this year, the official residence will begin decorating from now until January 6, 2013 (Sunday), adding a festive Christmas atmosphere so visitors can also experience the cultural and historical ambiance of the time, along with rare historical photos of the First Family celebrating Christmas.

In addition to recreating the Christmas scenes of the official residence, open-air movie screenings will be held in the garden of the official residence on December 22 (Saturday) and December 23 (Sunday) from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. A total of 120 seats will be available, and tickets will be handed out at the entrance of the official residence starting at 4:00 PM. Only two tickets may be collected per person and will be given out until supplies last. Admission begins at 5:15 PM with a ticket. Movies shown include “Solomon and Sheba” starring Yul Brynner on December 22, and “White Christmas” starring Bing Crosby on December 23. Everyone is welcome to the official residence to experience an old-fashioned Christmas.

Event Time: December 22, 2013 – December 23, 2013, 17:30–20:00
Venue: Shilin Official Residence Main Building
Admission: Free. Tickets will be distributed at the entrance of the main building at 16:00. Limit of two tickets per person, first come first served.

[Chiayi Performing Arts Center - Christmas Shining Blessings Concert]
The Ali Mountain Aboriginal Youth Choir is one of the most regionally and ethnically representative performing troupes. Aboriginal people seem naturally blessed by the gods, possessing unique musical talent. This choir was established with the aim of enabling more Aboriginal youth to develop their talents through professional training and live performances under the guidance of outstanding Aboriginal musicians, fostering positive attitudes, confidence, and self-awareness, and preparing them to bravely face future challenges and goals.

This year-end grand concert combines traditional Tsou folk songs with the bel canto style of classical music, showcasing the ensemble’s annual training achievements. It serves not only as a goal for the members’ regular practice but also encourages them to maintain positive self-discipline. The influence extends to their attitudes toward life, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships, demonstrating the subtle yet profound impact of art.

Performance time: December 23, 2012 (Sun) 14:30
Venue: Chiayi Performing Arts Center Experimental Theater (No. 265, Section 2, Jianguo Road, Wenlong Village, Minxiong Township, Chiayi County)