The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi County from March 3 to March 15, 2026 (Year 115 of the ROC calendar). Today (the 6th), Tourism Administration Director-General Chen Yu-hsiu and Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang led their teams in holding a groundbreaking ceremony at the designated site of the main lantern, symbolizing the official launch of preparations for the festival. A religious and folk ritual expert was invited to conduct a blessing ceremony, after which government officials and distinguished guests jointly took part in the groundbreaking, praying for smooth construction progress and the successful completion of the festival.

This year’s Lantern Festival will be divided into a central main lantern area and local lantern areas, with a total exhibition area of approximately 30 hectares. In addition to lantern displays, performance groups from countries including France and Poland, as well as domestic and international artists, have been invited to present outstanding performances and immersive light-and-shadow experiences for audiences.

Chen Yu-hsiu stated that Alishan, a renowned landmark of Chiayi County, with its unique natural scenery and cultural background, has become an important symbol for dialogue with the world, perfectly echoing the festival’s theme, “Lighting Up Chiayi, Lighting Up Taiwan.” She noted that the main lantern will be designed around the imagery of Alishan’s sacred trees and will be created under the title “Radiant Glow – Alishan of the World,” showcasing Chiayi’s distinctive charm.

Director-General Chen also pointed out that Taiwan possesses strong creative capabilities in lantern artistry, and its technological performances have received international recognition. This year’s festival aims to strike the greatest creative balance between tradition and innovation, using the Taiwan Lantern Festival as a platform where traditional lantern artisans and young artists can fully express their creativity.

Weng Chang-liang stated that with the official groundbreaking of the main lantern, preparations for this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival have entered a critical phase. As the largest annual national event, the Taiwan Lantern Festival attracts tens of millions of visitors and draws significant attention from both domestic and international audiences. To prepare for the event, the Chiayi County Government has mobilized all departments to participate in planning efforts, while preparations for the local lantern areas are also being accelerated. Press conferences will be held successively to announce further event details. Magistrate Weng expressed his hope that this year’s festival will present a brand-new image of Chiayi to Taiwan and the world, and he wished the event every success.

The Chiayi County Culture and Tourism Bureau noted that this marks the third time Chiayi County has hosted the Taiwan Lantern Festival. To offer visitors a lantern-viewing experience different from previous editions and to create more memorable travel experiences, the county will develop diverse themed lantern zones, organize numerous domestic and international cultural and artistic performances, and feature hundreds of food market stalls. In addition, various travel itineraries will be planned to connect with well-known tourist attractions across Chiayi County. The goal is to attract over 10 million visitors from Taiwan and abroad, encouraging travelers not only to visit Chiayi but also to stay longer and experience the county’s rich and diverse character.

The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival will officially light up on March 3. The exhibition areas are located near the Chiayi High Speed Rail Station, and shuttle bus routes will be arranged to provide direct access to the festival sites. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation to enjoy the lantern displays with ease and avoid traffic congestion, and to experience a spectacular celebration that brings together art and innovative technology.