Taiwan’s festival calendar is among the richest in East Asia, blending lunar calendar observances that are common across the Chinese-speaking world with Taiwan-specific traditions, indigenous ceremonies, and contemporary civic celebrations. A significant number of major festivals follow the lunar calendar, which means their dates shift relative to the Gregorian calendar each year. Planning a trip around a festival can transform your experience of Taiwan.

What follows is an overview of the major festivals in rough calendar order, with notes on what each involves and who might find it most rewarding.