Pingxi Lantern Festival Taiwan (2026 Guide)

The Pingxi Lantern Festival Taiwan is one of the country’s most iconic annual events - a magical evening where thousands of glowing sky lanterns rise into the night, each carrying handwritten wishes for the year ahead. Held in the Pingxi District of New Taipei City, the festival is easy to reach from Taipei, making it one of the most popular winter day trips in northern Taiwan.

For first-time visitors, photographers, and travelers planning a February - March Taiwan itinerary, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is often a highlight. But it’s also an event that requires planning: transport logistics, crowd management, weather considerations, and understanding where (and when) lantern releases actually happen.

Quick answers at a glance

• Confirmed 2026 dates: February 27 & March 3
• Location: Pingxi District, New Taipei City
• Best base: Taipei
• Best transport: Train via Ruifang or official shuttle buses
• Crowds: Very large on festival nights
• Cost: Free to attend; lanterns and food cost extra
• Good for: First-time Taiwan visitors, photographers, couples, families

Note: Costs are listed in NT$; USD equivalents vary by exchange rate.

What Is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival?

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is a traditional celebration tied to the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Lunar New Year period. Locals and visitors write wishes on paper lanterns, often related to health, family, career, or travel, and release them into the sky, creating one of Taiwan’s most recognizable night-time scenes.

What makes Pingxi special is its long-standing lantern tradition and the scale of the mass release sessions, where hundreds or thousands of lanterns are launched together under controlled conditions. These coordinated releases are what you often see in iconic photos and travel videos.

It’s important to avoid confusion between similar names:

• Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival – this event in New Taipei City
• Lantern Festival (holiday) – the broader cultural celebration
• Taiwan Lantern Festival – a separate, government-hosted event held in a different city each year

While lanterns can be released in parts of Pingxi and Shifen throughout the year, the festival dates are when the largest, most organized releases occur.

Pingxi Lantern Festival 2026 Dates + Main Locations

Official Taiwan tourism listings confirm two main release dates for 2026:

The Pingxi main release usually takes place near Pingxi Junior High School, while Shifen’s session happens close to Shifen Old Street and the railway area.

Important planning note:
Exact release times and transport adjustments are usually finalized closer to the event. Always verify details through official New Taipei City or Taiwan tourism event pages a few weeks before you go.

During festival days, expect:

• Added trains or shuttle buses
• Crowd-control measures at stations
• Designated lantern release zones only

Pingxi vs Shifen: Where Should You Go?

Choosing between Pingxi and Shifen is one of the most common questions travelers have - and the answer depends on what kind of experience you want.

Pingxi (main festival site)

Best for:

• Experiencing the classic mass lantern release
• Seeing thousands of lanterns rise at once
• First-time visitors who want the “wow” moment

What it feels like:

• Large crowds
• Structured release sessions
• More event-style atmosphere

Shifen (old street + festival session)

Best for:

• Combining sightseeing with lanterns
• Visiting Shifen Waterfall
• Travelers who want daytime exploration plus an evening release

What it feels like:

• Busy but more spread out
• Famous railway-street photos
• Lanterns released more continuously outside mass sessions

If you dislike heavy crowds, consider visiting Shifen on a non-festival evening, when lantern releases still happen but without the overwhelming numbers.

How to Get to the Pingxi Lantern Festival From Taipei

This is the most important section to plan carefully - transport is the biggest challenge of the festival.

Train: Taipei → Ruifang → Pingxi Line

The most common route is via Taiwan Railways (TRA):

1. Take a train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang
2. Transfer to the Pingxi Branch Line toward Shifen or Pingxi
3. Exit at your chosen station

Pros

• Scenic route
• Affordable
• Flexible if visiting Shifen or Jiufen earlier

Cons

• Trains can be crowded
• Limited frequency on normal days (festival days often add service)

Official Shuttle Buses (Festival Days)

On major festival nights, New Taipei City usually operates shuttle buses from key transit hubs.

Pros

• Designed for crowd control
• Direct routes

Cons

• Long lines after the release
• Less flexibility if plans change

Guided Tours or Private Driver

This option works well if you want to combine Jiufen, Shifen, and the festival without worrying about logistics.

Best For

• Short trips
• Groups or families
• Travelers who prefer structure

The return-to-Taipei reality check

Leaving after the lantern release often means waiting in long lines for trains or buses. Bring water, snacks, and patience, and expect to arrive back in Taipei late.

How to Release a Sky Lantern (Step-by-Step)

1. Buy a lantern from an approved vendor (colors have different meanings)
2. Write your wishes using provided brushes and ink
3. Wait for staff instructions in designated release areas
4. Light the lantern safely
5. Release together during the countdown
6. Take photos quickly - lanterns rise fast

Safety & rules

1. Lanterns may only be released in designated zones
2. Releasing lanterns on railway tracks is prohibited
3. Follow on-site staff instructions at all times

These regulations exist to improve safety and reduce environmental impact.

What to Wear + What to Pack

Northern Taiwan evenings in February and March can be cool, damp, and windy.

What to wear

1. Warm outer layer
2. Comfortable walking shoes
3. Rain jacket or poncho

What to pack

1. Portable phone charger
2. EasyCard + some cash
3. Hand warmers (optional)
4. Camera with night-mode or fast lens

Standing for long periods is common - comfort matters.

Costs, Cash Tips, and Budgeting (NT$ + USD Notes)

Typical expenses include:

• Transport: train or shuttle fares
• Lantern: varies by size and colors
• Food & drinks: street stalls and local shops
• Tours: optional

Most small vendors prefer cash, so don’t rely entirely on cards.
When budgeting, think in NT$ first; USD equivalents fluctuate with exchange rates.

Best Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary 1: Festival-Only Day Trip

• Afternoon departure from Taipei
• Early dinner near Pingxi
• Evening lantern release
• Late return

Itinerary 2: Shifen + Waterfall + Festival

• Morning: Shifen Old Street
• Midday: Shifen Waterfall
• Evening: lantern release
• Return to Taipei

Itinerary 3: Jiufen + Shifen + Festival

• Morning: Jiufen
• Afternoon: Shifen
• Evening: festival release
• Very late return (popular but long day)

Responsible Travel & Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of sky lanterns has been widely discussed, particularly regarding wire frames and debris. Local authorities and volunteers organize cleanup efforts, but responsible visitor behavior matters.

You can help by:

• Releasing lanterns only during official sessions
• Following staff guidance
• Supporting vendors who participate in cleanup programs
• Avoiding unofficial or unsafe release areas

Being mindful helps preserve the tradition for future visitors.

Staying Connected in Pingxi

Reliable mobile data is extremely useful during the festival - from checking train schedules to coordinating with friends in dense crowds.

Before you go:

• Activate your eSIM in advance
• Download offline maps
• Bring a power bank

If you want to land connected, Maaltalk offers Taiwan eSIM options that make it easy to stay online without searching for SIM cards after arrival - especially helpful during busy travel periods.

FAQ: Pingxi Lantern Festival Taiwan

1. Is the Pingxi Lantern Festival free to attend?

Yes. Entry is free. You only pay for lanterns, food, and transport.

2. What are the confirmed 2026 dates?

The main dates are February 27 and March 3, 2026, per official tourism listings.

3. Where is better: Pingxi or Shifen?

Pingxi offers the biggest mass release. Shifen is better for sightseeing plus lanterns.

4. Can I release lanterns on non-festival days?

Yes, especially in Shifen, but releases are smaller and ongoing rather than mass events.

5. How do I get there from Taipei?

The most common route is the train to Ruifang, then the Pingxi Line.

6. What time should I arrive?

Arrive by late afternoon to avoid the worst crowds.