Commemorating the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Tainan as a city, Taiwan Lantern Festival 2024 returns to Taiwan and will be held from February 3 to March 10, 2024 in Tainan.

After a hiatus of 16 years, the Taiwan Lantern Festival 2024 is scheduled to return in Tainan, the ancient capital of the country, from February 3 to March 10, 2024, with an exception of the eve of Lunar New Year on February 9.

According to a press statement by the Taiwan Tourism Office, the year 2024 will mark the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Tainan as a city. The festival, last held in the city in 2008, aims to depict the grandeur of ancient capital Tainan with the Glorious Tainan theme.

There will be two main lantern districts, the High-Speed Rail Lantern District and the Anping Lantern District. It will be an intertwining of Tainan‘s 400-year history and culture with its interpretation of technology and innovation towards a sustainable green future, adds the press statement.

The board adds that Taiwan 2024 Lantern Festival in Tainan’s key visual design will combine a flying auspicious dragon, representing the Year of the Dragon, with an image of Tainan’s old city gate to form the Chinese character 南 for south. 

For visitors, Tainan will host several world class exhibitions during the Year of Tainan 400, including World Orchid Conference 2024, Taiwan Design Exhibition 2024 and Taiwan Cultural Expo 2024. According to the statement, on exhibit will be stunning displays of grand yet exquisite lanterns that are characteristic of past Taiwan Lantern Festivals. They can also enjoy acts by international performance troupes, visit flower art exhibitions and experience interactive lantern installations. 

The statement adds that local popular light festivals like Yuejin Harbour Light Festival, Longzaki Light Festival, Puji Temple Light Festival, Chenggong Lantern Festival, Shennong Street Light Festival, Mashagou Lantern Festival and Tainan City Fire Museum Prayer Lanterns will also take place concurrently with Taiwan’s 2024 Lantern Festival in Tainan.

Tainan, the first city in Taiwan, has a long history. It offers historic sites and heritage buildings. It is also known as a city of many festivals offering various carnival-like religious festivals, traditional local culture celebrations, acclaimed international exhibitions and competitions all year round. Its kaleidoscope of cultures offers visitors a wide array of gastronomy and immersive experiences, adds the statement.