The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival is about to open, and the Chiayi County Government has partnered with the Paper Windmill Theatre to bring the Hakka family play Rain Horse back to Chiayi. At today’s (1st) press conference, Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang‑Liang, Paper Windmill Cultural Foundation CEO Chang Min‑Yi, and Hakka Affairs Council Department of Arts and Communications Director Liao Mei‑Ling jointly announced highlights of the festival. In addition to the “Rain Horse” highlights performance, there will be light shows, static displays, and the TEAM TAIWAN Parade on March 7, inviting the public to take part.

Rain Horse was jointly produced by the Hakka Affairs Council and the Paper Windmill Theatre, adapted from a picture book by writer Hsiao Yeh, and released in 2021. The work was born during the global COVID‑19 pandemic, a time filled with uncertainty. Many children were unable to go outdoors and lost the joy of their daily lives; the play therefore carries the intention of soothing the heart and accompanying children through difficult times.

The giant Rain Horse installation stands 10 meters high and 13 meters long, adorned with blooming flowers and rainbow colors. It symbolizes gentle yet steadfast protection; the rainbow represents peace and happiness after the rain, expressing hopes that children everywhere may regain laughter and hope.

Besides Rain Horse, another collaborative work by the Paper Windmill Theatre and the Hakka Affairs Council, titled Lantern Monster, will also appear during the March 7 TEAM TAIWAN Parade, adding excitement to the event.

Weng Chang‑Liang stated that many children on site today were thrilled to see the giant Rain Horse installation and the Paper Windmill performance. He believes this event will bring the public a pleasant and memorable experience.

Liao Mei‑Ling noted that Rain Horse, the ambassador of Hakka language and culture, and last year’s production Lantern Monster, will appear together for the first time nationwide. She expressed gratitude to the Chiayi County Government and the Paper Windmill Theatre for their support, which allows Hakka culture to meet audiences young and old on the festival stage.

In addition, Weng Chang‑Liang put on climbing gear and personally ascended the nearly four‑story‑tall Rain Horse installation, overlooking the lantern festival venue from above, demonstrating his strong support and commitment to the event.

The Chiayi County Bureau of Culture and Tourism noted that Q&A activities will be held during the “Rain Horse” highlights performance and light show sessions, offering limited small gifts for audience participation so that children can create lasting memories. During the event, there will also be opportunities to receive an adorable “Little Rain Horse Plush Doll,” allowing families to take home a piece of the festival’s blessings.

Event Information：

Rain Horse Highlights Performance
Dates: March 4–6 (Wed–Fri) at 18:30 & 20:30
Venue: County Government Stage
Duration: approx. 30 minutes each, 6 sessions total

Rain Horse Light Show
March 3, and March 9–12, March 15
18:00｜19:00｜20:00｜21:00｜21:45
March 13–14
18:30｜21:45
Venue: County Government Stage
Duration: approx. 15 minutes each, 34 sessions total

Rain Horse Static Display
March 4–5, March 9–12：14:00–22:00
March 6, March 8, March 13–15：10:00–22:00
March 7：10:00–17:00

2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival – TEAM TAIWAN Parade
Date: March 7 (Sat) 18:45
Route: Bo’ai Road → Xinyi 1st Road → Prince Avenue