Introduction to Important Festivals
Introduction to Major Festivals in Taiwan
Lunar New Year (Spring Festival)
⏰Date: Lunar New Year's Day (usually in January or February)
The Lunar New Year is the most important festival in Taiwan, symbolizing the beginning of a new year. It is usually a time for family reunions. People do house cleaning, put up spring couplets, light firecrackers, and exchange red envelopes with relatives and friends.
Lantern Festival
⏰Date: 15th day of the Lunar New Year
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Popular activities include solving lantern riddles, eating glutinous rice balls (tangyuan), and attending lantern displays. Lantern festivals in places like Taichung and Nantou attract large crowds of tourists.
Qingming Festival
⏰Date: April 4 or 5
Qingming Festival is a traditional tomb-sweeping day when family members visit ancestral graves to clean the tombstones and make offerings. It is a traditional Taiwanese custom and also a time for family gatherings.
Dragon Boat Festival
⏰Date: 5th day of the 5th lunar month
The Dragon Boat Festival has a long history and commemorates the poet Qu Yuan. Traditional activities include dragon boat races, eating sticky rice dumplings (zongzi), and hanging mugwort. The festival emphasizes family and community bonds.
Mid-Autumn Festival
⏰Date: 15th day of the 8th lunar month
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a major occasion for family reunions in Taiwan, symbolizing harvest and togetherness. People enjoy mooncakes, admire the full moon, and often have barbecues. It’s a popular time for family or friend gatherings.
National Day
⏰Date: October 10
National Day is Taiwan’s national celebration, commemorating the founding of the Republic of China. There are grand military parades and fireworks displays. As a public holiday, many people in Taiwan participate in various celebratory events.
Christmas
⏰Date: December 25
Christmas in Taiwan is primarily celebrated by Christians, but it has also become a commercial holiday. Shopping malls and streets are decorated, and there are various sales events. Although not a traditional holiday, it is very popular among young people.
Labor Day
⏰Date: May 1
Labor Day is a public holiday in Taiwan, celebrated to honor the contributions of workers. Many laborers take part in rallies or parades to highlight labor rights and awareness.
