Taiwan · events
The island throws parties and then goes back to work
Lanterns, dragon boats, typhoon weeks, and a winter that is just wet enough to make soup taste correct. Taiwan’s calendar is lunar plus weather. Both will rearrange your day-trip.
Lunar New Year
Family first. Some restaurants close. Temples get busy in a good way. Trains sell out. You can still eat. You should not expect a full tourist machine.
Lantern Festival (after New Year)
Pingxi sky lanterns are famous and regulated — follow the local rules, do not invent a field. City lantern installations rotate. Pretty. Crowded. Optional.
Typhoon days are not “bad luck.” They are the island telling you to eat indoors and check official alerts.
Dragon Boat, Ghost Month, National Day
Dragon boat races in early summer (lunar). Ghost Month (7th lunar month) means some people avoid moving house or getting married — you may notice quieter nights, not a horror movie. October 10 is flags and crowds downtown.
Weather as event
Summers hot and wet. Winters mild and drizzly in the north. East coast roads and Taroko can close — check the week you go.