Taiwan Public Holidays Guide: Calendar, Festivals & Travel Tips

Thinking of traveling to Taiwan in 2026? Here’s a complete, easy-to-use guide — including a holiday calendar, long-weekend hacks, cultural explanations, and travel tips.

📅 2026 Taiwan Public Holidays Calendar (Taiwan, China)

Total: 18 public holidays in Taiwan in 2026.

⚠️ Taiwan’s government often adjusts holidays with “make-up working days.” Travelers should double-check official announcements as 2026 approaches.

🎎 Taiwan Public Holidays

🧧 1. Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) – Feb 16–21, 2026

Lunar New Year

Traditions: Reunion dinners, temple visits, lanterns, red envelopes.

Recommended Activities:

• Taipei Lantern Festival – colorful night photography.
• Pingxi Sky Lantern (Shifen) – write wishes and release lanterns.
• Dihua Street Chinese New Year Market – festive snacks & souvenirs.
• Beitou/Jiaoxi Hot Springs – the perfect winter activity.
• Snow trips to Hehuanshan or Qingjing.

🕯️ 2. Tomb-Sweeping Day (Qingming Festival) – Apr 4–5, 2026

Tomb-Sweeping Day

Traditions: Visiting ancestral graves and honoring ancestors.

Recommended Activities:

• Cherry blossom viewing – Yangmingshan, Alishan, Wuling Farm.
• Tea plantations – Pinglin or Alishan.
• Sun Moon Lake cycling – great spring weather.
• Taroko Gorge hiking—scenic and cool.

🐉 3. Dragon Boat Festival – June 19, 2026

Dragon Boat Festival

Traditions: Dragon boat races & eating zongzi.

Recommended Activities:

• Dragon boat races – Taipei (Dajia Riverside) or Kaohsiung (Love River).
• Zongzi tasting – Taiwanese, Hakka, and sweet versions.
• Penghu Islands – beaches, snorkeling & fireworks.
• Cycling along the Tamsui River.

🌕 4. Mid-Autumn Festival – Sep 25, 2026

Mid-Autumn Festival

Traditions: Moon-viewing, mooncakes & Taiwan’s famous BBQ gatherings.

Recommended Activities:

• Public BBQs – Dajia or Rainbow Riverside Park.
• Moon-viewing – Elephant Mountain, Tamsui Wharf, or Alishan.
• Mooncake & dessert tasting – taro, pineapple, Hakka mochi.
• Lantern walks in selected cities.

5. National Day (Double Ten Day) – Oct 10, 2026

National Day

Traditions: Parades, flag raising, fireworks.

Recommended Activities:

• National Day fireworks — a major annual highlight.
• Double Ten Parade – cultural & military displays.
• Museum visits – NPM or CKS Memorial if you want quieter spots.
• Night market hopping – Raohe, Fengjia, Liuhe.

✈️ Travel Tips for Visiting Taiwan During Holidays

🧳 1. Book early — really early

Book up fast around:

• Lunar New Year
• Tomb-Sweeping
• Dragon Boat Festival
• Mid-Autumn Festival

🚆 2. High-speed rail (HSR) tickets sell out quickly

Taiwan’s HSR is incredibly convenient, but holiday weeks are jam-packed. Book online as soon as bookings open (usually 28 days in advance).

🍜 3. Some shops close during Lunar New Year

Unlike in Malaysia, where most stores reopen quickly, Taiwan’s small businesses may close for 2–5 days. Large malls, convenience stores, and major chains remain open.

🚴 4. Expect more domestic tourists at nature spots

Taiwanese love:

• Sun Moon Lake
• Alishan
• Jiufen
• Kenting
• Hualien/Taroko

During the holidays, these spots see a surge of local travelers.

🀄 5. Festivals = beautiful photos

Holidays bring:

• Lantern displays
• Outdoor markets
• Cultural shows
• Fireworks

If you love photography, these dates are golden.

Taiwan in 2026 offers plenty of opportunities for Malaysians to enjoy long weekends, cultural festivals, and scenic travel — as long as you plan ahead. Use the leave hacks above, book early, and time your trip around your favorite festival vibes.

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