The Most Romantic Weekend Before Qixi Festival: Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival Lights Up the Night on August 10

Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Travel Life Net’s Chen Guanxin

 

This romantic weekend just before Qixi Festival is perfect for a spectacular fireworks date. Now in its ninth year, the Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival will kick off on August 10. This year’s event puts the spotlight on musical performances and has been specially renamed as the 2013 Taipei Dadaocheng “Music” Fireworks Festival. With the romantic vibe of Valentine’s Day in full swing, the festivities begin at 6:00 PM with main stage music acts, featuring live bands, singer performances, and exciting jazz music. The fireworks will light up the sky from 8:30 to 8:50 PM. The event also includes cultural and creative booths and light food stalls, allowing visitors to enjoy a romantic night under the fireworks accompanied by beautiful melodies.

The 2013 Taipei Dadaocheng Music Fireworks Festival will be held around Yanping Riverside Park and the Dadaocheng Wharf area. Starting at 4:30 PM, surrounding activities such as light food stalls, cultural and creative booths, and family-friendly games will take place at the Parking Lot of Gate 3. At 6:00 PM, the main stage at Gate 4 will feature performances by Cuban Latin bands and jazz ensembles. The secondary stage at Gate 4 will host performances by the Taipei Municipal Symphony Orchestra’s affiliated wind ensemble starting at 8:50 PM. As for the much-anticipated fireworks, they will be launched between Gates 3 and 5 of the Tamsui River section north of Zhongxiao Bridge, where the Taipei Municipal Symphony Orchestra’s affiliated wind ensemble will also perform live accompaniment.

 

Besides the Dadaocheng Music Fireworks Festival, there are many related events taking place around Dadaocheng during the Qixi Festival period this year. For instance, the Datong District Office will hold the “2013 FU Datong – Love Ties Dancing in the Spring Breeze” series of events from August 3 to 24, including a Love Ties Dance Competition, Taiwanese Folk Song Concerts, and cultural and creative industry tours. During every Saturday and Sunday in August, the public can join a series of cultural and creative industry tours, such as expert-guided tours of Datong, leisure strolls through Dadaocheng, tea tasting in Dadaocheng, and guided visits to the Red House at Rixin Elementary School, to gain a deeper understanding of Datong District.

 

Additionally, from August 2 to 11, the Taipei Dadaocheng Social Education Center will present captivating traditional performing arts, featuring plays by “Ming Hua Yuan Tian Zi Tuan,” “Yi Xin Drama,” and “True Happiness Puppet Show.” From now until August 25, the Dadaocheng Urs44 Base will also host the “Tracing Origins – The Deities of Xiadai Chenghuang Bring Blessings” exhibition. Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce will hold a series of Qixi Festival events in the Qingguang/Yuanshan commercial districts from August 4 to 11.

 

For those planning to attend the fireworks show, two new MRT shuttle bus routes—Routes 135 and 136—have been added this year. They will operate from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with buses running every 4 to 6 minutes and single-ride ticket pricing. Route 135 runs between Taipei Main Station and Zhongxing Hospital, while Route 136 connects MRT Shuanglian Station and Dadaocheng Wharf. Event website: 2013fireworks.taipeitravel.net.

 

 

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