The “2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi” takes “New Chiayi” as its curatorial theme, breaking through the traditional framework of lantern festivals by integrating international artistic energy, technological innovation, and local cultural heritage. This elevates both the program standards and the city’s performance level.

The festival features a strong lineup: 11 international performance groups, 2 Taiwanese brand teams, 3 Taiwan TOP teams, 5 domestic award-winning teams, 11 well-known domestic groups, and 19 outstanding local Chiayi performance groups, creating a spectacular cross-border, cross-generational, and cross-genre showcase.

On March 8 (Sunday), the “Love Chiayi” concert will gather Golden Melody Award winners and popular groups. During the festival, 15 exclusive “Chiayi Main Stage” performances will highlight Chiayi’s cultural creativity through original content.

Programs are divided into two major venues: the “Main Lantern Stage” and the “County Government Stage.” The “Main Lantern Stage” follows the concept of “one theme per day, one main show per day,” with themed performances scheduled nightly from March 3 to March 14, 6 PM to 10 PM.

The “County Government Stage” brings together culturally representative groups from Taiwan, Japan, and France, including Taiwan’s Paper Windmill Theatre performing the classic “The Rain Horse,” the “2026 Taiwan-Japan Friendship: Aomori Nebuta Comes to Chiayi,” and France’s Planète Vapeur mechanical beast circus “Flying White Horse Show.” These large-scale outdoor performances immerse audiences in an international artistic atmosphere.

The Chiayi County Cultural and Tourism Bureau stated that the “2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi” uses technological art to create a sensory feast while incorporating international culture to broaden perspectives. Through the intersection of art and culture, it fully illuminates the future of “New Chiayi,” showcasing the international scale and urban depth of the Taiwan Lantern Festival.