Dadaocheng Time Tunnel: Cosplay Parade Revives the Glamour of the 1920s

▲The Dadaocheng costume parade brings back the area’s former glory (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism, the same below)

Tourism Center / Taipei Report

On the 15th, Taipei’s Dadaocheng seemed to have returned to the modern and fashionable 1920s, with the streets bustling with people wearing retro shirts, suspenders, and elegant dresses, creating a richly nostalgic vibe.“Dadaocheng International Arts Festival – 1920s Costume Parade”Kicked off on the 15th at Yongle Plaza, organized by Theater Zhezi (Folded Curtain Theater), the Chiang Wei-shui Cultural Foundation, and Bookstore 1920s (20th Century Bookstore), inviting the public to dress up and recreate the golden age of Dadaocheng.

▲Director of the Department of Information and Tourism, Chien Yu-yan, got fully involved and joined the retro-dressed crowd (third from the left in the front row).

“Dadaocheng International Arts Festival”Brings together many local cultural organizations deeply rooted in Dadaocheng, including outstanding creators from across Taiwan as well as France, the United States, Malaysia, Japan, Belgium, and other countries, who are presenting over 60 exciting performances of drama, music, dance, visual arts, exhibitions, acrobatics, and interdisciplinary shows in various historic street-front buildings in Dadaocheng.

Meanwhile, the highly popular “1920s Costume Parade” finally commenced amid great anticipation. This year, the organizers expanded the parade routes even further, with participants gathering at Yongle Plaza after parading along both northern and southern routes. In addition to the costume parade, there were also live band performances, outdoor open-air cinema under the stars, and arcade-style art galleries, offering the public an unforgettable retro feast.

Director of the Department of Information and Tourism, Chien Yu-yan, stated that Dadaocheng’s creative culture is booming, where historic street-front buildings coexist with emerging creative shops, adding a fresh touch to Dadaocheng’s classic charm. It’s not only fashionable but also intellectual, and the integration of new ideas and creative energy into tradition—with its endless creativity—is exactly what makes Taipei so captivating. Today’s Dadaocheng can even be mentioned alongside Huashan 1914 Creative Park and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park as one of Taipei’s top three creative industry hubs.

▲Even children joined in the costume fun.