Proudly co-hosted by the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), and the Chiayi County Government, the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival shines under the theme “Illuminating Taiwan, Lighting Up Chiayi” (光躍台灣‧點亮嘉義). Returning eight years after hosting the festival in 2018, Chiayi County steps confidently back into the spotlight, showcasing its transformation from an agriculture-led county into a forward-looking hub where agriculture, industry, and technology thrive together.

This year’s festival is built around the idea of “New Chiayi.” Starting from the county’s landscapes, cultural roots, and industrial transition, it brings together technology, art, and community co-creation to tell a vibrant story of innovation and renewal. Curatorial planning focuses on three core values: Courageous Innovation, Cultural Confidence, and Sustainable Development. These are further expressed through three main storylines: Celebrating mountain-and-forest charm, carrying forward cultural depth, and moving toward an innovative future.

Across key festival sites including the County Government District, the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, and the corridor from Taizi Boulevard to the plaza in front of the County Government, the festival connects culture, industry, and the city’s evolving identity into one continuous experience.

Through lantern artistry, live performances, and drone technology, the festival creates an immersive, multi-layered experience for visitors. Using light as its medium, Chiayi brings together technology, culture, and art to illuminate every corner of the county, share messages of hope and possibility, and reveal the depth of its heritage and the scale of its potential.
The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival welcomes the world to discover a transformed Chiayi and a shining Taiwan.