The Mazu Lantern Festival in Taichung features folk performances and dazzling street dance shows.

By Liu Jiawen | Compiled & Reported

After the Lunar New Year celebrations, the Lantern Festival arrives, bringing lively festivities across the region. It’s also the day when the Dajia Tianhou Temple holds the lottery to determine the departure time for the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage. In response, the Taichung City Government has planned the “Dragon Soars with Mazu: Lantern Festival Reunion Nights” from February 6 to February 11. Aside from holding the “lottery ceremony” at Dajia Tianhou Temple to announce the schedule of the Mazu pilgrimage, the city has also organized six Lantern Festival evening events at Mazu temples over 200 years old in Taichung, including Wujhi Haotian Temple, Nantun Wanhe Temple, and Hanxi Lecheng Temple. These events feature performances by the “Nine Heavens Folk Performance Troupe,” the inspiration behind the film “The Drummers,” as well as other folk performance groups such as the “Xinyi Fang Opera Troupe” and the “Weihong Martial Arts Lion Dance Troupe.” Visitors are invited to step into the Mazu temples and celebrate the festival together.

In addition to traditional artistic performances, the evening events will also feature well-known street dance group “Black Angle Dance Crew,” the “Top Performance Art Workshop” which combines lion drumming with LED technology, and the “Orange Fire Dance Troupe” showcasing fire dancing arts, among dozens of other participating teams. Renowned singers such as Shih Wen-bin and Jolin Tsai will also join in, delivering diverse performances.

Additionally, each evening event will include a lantern riddle guessing game, with hundreds of prizes to be given away. Through this traditional Lantern Festival custom, visitors can enjoy artistic performances while learning more about Mazu temple culture. For detailed event information, please visit the official website at www.mazulanternparty.com.tw.