Lantern Festival
The 15th day of the first lunar month — the grand finale of New Year celebrations. Admire lantern displays, solve riddle-lanterns, and eat sweet tangyuan dumplings symbolizing family reunion.
Days until the next Lantern Festival
Lantern Festival — Dates by Year
Origins
The Lantern Festival falls on the first full moon of the lunar year. Known in Taoism as "Shangyuan," it is the first of three Yuan festivals and was celebrated with lanterns as early as the Han dynasty. Tradition holds this is the day the Heavenly Official bestows blessings, so people light lanterns and pray for good fortune.
Lanterns & Riddles
Lanterns are the festival's defining symbol, ranging from traditional animal and mythological designs to modern spectacular light installations. Lantern riddle-guessing (dēngmí) is a beloved tradition, with clues drawn from classical poetry, puns, and wordplay. Taiwan's national Lantern Festival draws millions of visitors and is the country's largest annual lantern event.
Festive Foods
Tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) are the iconic food of Lantern Festival, symbolizing family togetherness. Made from sticky rice flour with sesame, peanut, or red bean fillings, they come in sweet and savory varieties by region. Innovative modern flavors like taro and matcha have appeared in recent years alongside the classics.
Taiwan's Unique Celebrations
Taiwan has three world-renowned Lantern Festival events: the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, where thousands of wish-inscribed lanterns float skyward; the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks in Tainan, a spectacular wall of bottle rockets said to ward off plague; and the Bombing of Master Handan in Taitung. These events draw international visitors every year.