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.
Date (2026) | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day |
Feb 16-20 | Monday–Friday | Chinese New Year Holiday |
Feb 27 | Fri | 228 Peace Memorial Day (Holiday) |
Feb 28 | Sat | 228 Peace Memorial Day |
Apr 3 | Fri | Children's Day (Holiday) |
Apr 4 | Sat | Children's Day |
Apr 5 | Sun | Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) |
Apr 6 | Mon | Qingming Festival (Holiday) |
May 1 | Fri | Labor Day |
June 19 | Fri | Dragon Boat Festival |
Sep 25 | Fri | Mid-Autumn Festival |
Sep 28 | Mon | Teachers' Day (Confucius' Birthday) |
Oct 9 | Fri | National Day (Holiday) |
Oct 10 | Sat | National Day |
Oct 25 | Sun | Retrocession Day |
October 26 | Mon | Retrocession Day (Holiday) |
Dec 25 | Fri | Constitution Day |
⚠️ 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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FAQs about Taiwan Public Holidays
How many public holidays are there in Taiwan in 2026?
There are 18 public holidays in Taiwan in 2026, including 5 new ones added by the "Act on the Implementation of Commemorative and Festival Holidays.How long is the Chinese New Year holiday in Taiwan in 2026?
The Chinese New Year holiday spans 5 consecutive days (Feb 16-20, 2026), including Little Lunar New Year (Feb 16) and Lunar New Year's Day (Feb 17). Including adjacent weekends, the total break can extend to 7 days.What are the 5 new holidays in Taiwan for 2026?
The 5 new public holidays are:
Little Lunar New Year (Feb 16)
Labor Day (May 1, now for all sectors)
Confucius' Birthday/Teachers' Day (Sep 28)
Retrocession Day (Oct 25)
Constitution Day (Dec 25)What is the Chinese calendar for 2026?
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar. The Lunar New Year begins on February 17, 2026 (the first day of the first lunar month).What is the biggest holiday in Taiwan?
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is Taiwan's biggest holiday, with the longest vacation period and most significant cultural importance. It features family reunions, traditional customs, and elaborate feasts, reflecting the shared cultural heritage with mainland China.