TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Organizers will hold the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival (台灣燈會) in Chiayi County from March 3 to March 15, marking the event's return to Chiayi after an eight-year hiatus. The festival will take place at the Chiayi County Government Plaza and surrounding areas, offering a blend of tradition and innovation to attract visitors.
This year's main lantern, inspired by the Alishan (阿里山) sacred tree, stands 21 meters tall, which breaks away from the traditional zodiac concept. Crafted from recycled wood, the lantern's design reflects the upward growth of the sacred tree. Organizers have incorporated AI and digital manufacturing to create an immersive environment that combines natural elements with technology, using light, mist, and sound.
The festival will recreate the TECH WORLD Pavilion from the 2025 Osaka Expo, focusing on the theme of co-prosperity. For the first time, Taiwan Lantern Festival will partner with Nintendo to introduce a Super Mario lantern. Visitors can explore over 600 artworks, combining lantern art, artistic performances, and drone technology to create a breathing forest of light. Additionally, two types of small lanterns will be available: one featuring the 2026 zodiac horse and Taiwan's tourism mascot HiBear (喔熊), distributed at the main exhibition area and TECH WORLD Pavilion.
The festival will also showcase Japan's Aomori Nebuta (青森睡魔) lantern art for the first time in Taiwan, incorporating local Chiayi cultural elements. This collaboration symbolizes cultural exchange between Taiwan and Japan, highlighting the 300-year-old tradition from Japan's Tohoku region.
