Romantic to the max after dark！Strasbourg Christmas Market Taipei lights up and draws huge crowds

Carefully planned by the Taipei City Government, the “2016 Taipei Colorful Christmas Season” series of events has specially partnered with the French Institute in Taiwan to introduce France’s oldest and most prestigious “Strasbourg Christmas Market” for the first time. Held from Dec. 1 to Dec. 25 at the Taipei 101 Outdoor Water Dance Plaza (Xinyi 21 Plaza), the event features 15 charming wooden chalets offering a variety of French food and beverages, drawing long lines of eager visitors.

▲Chalet-front areas were also packed with people coming to “sniff the aromas.”

Tonight’s lighting ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je and representatives from the Strasbourg City Council of France. Mayor Ko expressed hopes that the introduction of the Strasbourg Christmas Market through collaboration with the French Institute in Taiwan would enhance Taipei’s international visibility and boost related industries, and he is very optimistic about the success of this event.

▲Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je arrives at the lighting ceremony venue.

During the lighting ceremony, two Christmas trees and a sea of decorative lights in the Strasbourg Christmas Market area lit up instantly, adding even more vibrancy and romance to the market. Although light rain fell in downtown Taipei this evening, crowds continued to pour in with umbrellas in hand, but since the consumption points sold on-site today had already run out, visitors who wish to sample the food or purchase French souvenirs will need to return another day to buy points.

▲The giant Christmas tree in the venue lights up.

▲The Christmas market at night sees a surge of visitors.

Strasbourg Christmas Market
Date: Dec. 1–Dec. 25
Location: Taipei 101 Outdoor Water Dance Plaza