Latest Events in Taiwan(March Updated)

As winter approaches, Taiwan officially enters peak hot spring season! Blessed with a diverse array of springs, including cold springs, hot springs, turbid springs, and underwater springs, Taiwan is a world-renowned hot spring destination. The "Hot Spring Food Carnival" not only allows domestic tourists to soak in all of Taiwan's hot springs and enjoy discounts at every location, but it's also a major attraction for international tourists, fueling the autumn and winter hot spring tourism boom in Taiwan.

The 14th Taipei Biennial in 2025 will start from the overlapping history of Taiwan and will use various public projects such as exhibitions, performances, on-site productions, and forums as a basis to capture the ineffable connections between personal memories and collective consciousness and to reconstruct the relationship between people and the world with emotional thinking.This year's Taipei Biennial will be curated by the duo of curators Sam Bardaouil from Lebanon and Till Fellrath from Germany. The two curators have served as co-directors of the Hamburger Bahnhof-Museum für Gegenwart in Berlin since 2022. With multiple professional knowledge and cultural backgrounds in art history, theater, economics and politics, the two are good at thinking about the close relationship between exhibitions and cities from different perspectives and exploring the potential of local history and international dialogue. In 2022, they co-curated the 16th Lyon Biennale "Manifesto of Fragility" and the French Pavilion of the 59th Venice Biennale in the same year. "Our curatorial approach will continue the ongoing plan, focusing on artists and allowing the voices of those who strive to expand our understanding of this complex world to be heard," said Bardaouil and Fellrath in a statement.

At the end of this year, Japanese artist Mr.'s solo exhibition "Mr.'s Fantastic Love" will be grandly launched at the Neiwei Art Center. Mr. (born 1969) is one of Japan's most iconic contemporary artists, renowned for incorporating otaku culture, including manga and anime, into the contemporary art world. Growing up during a period of rapid development in Japanese anime, gaming, and subculture, Mr.'s diverse experiences have nourished his creative work. In the mid-1990s, while working as an assistant to Takashi Murakami and exploring his own personal expression, Mr. began translating the intensely psychological imagery of anime/manga girls into an artistic context. He pioneered the use of girl imagery to explore new artistic values ​​within the anime/manga genre, and is considered a key figure in the contemporary art movement known as Superflat.

"Eternal Picasso" Light Art Exhibition: Art, Muse, and Confidant—[Five Exhibition Highlights, Seven Exhibition Zones] Throughout the history of 20th-century art, Picasso stands as an eternal flame, igniting the spirit of creativity and exploration. A pioneering artist who dared to break convention and forge new horizons, each creation posed a profound questioning of himself and his time. He depicted loneliness with blue, expressed tenderness with pink, and defied all expectations with Cubism. This exhibition takes you into his creative soul, revealing the artist's life through the lens of light and shadow. This exhibition allows viewers to move beyond simply "seeing Picasso's paintings" to "entering Picasso's creations." Prologue | The Picasso You Don't Know: Through Picasso's famous quotes and anecdotes, viewers will enter his little-known world. From anecdotes to fragments of his work, we gain a glimpse into his often-understood humor, perseverance, and contradictions. This is the gateway to Picasso's inner world. Section 1 | Artistic Pioneers in the Great Waves of the Times: Journey along the axis of time, glimpsing the growth of young talents amidst the great waves of the 20th century. From the artistic initiation of their adolescence to their studies and explorations in Barcelona and Paris, every step was closely intertwined with war, politics, and social change. Each image and story reminds the audience: art is not just about self-expression; it can also challenge the world and rewrite history. Section 2 | Picasso Gallery: Deconstruction and Reconstruction. Recreate Picasso's classic works—blue whispers of loneliness, pink flows with tenderness; Cubism challenges your gaze, while postwar reflections wait in silence. Lines dance, shapes reshape, and colors transform—each stroke carries adventure and reflection, leading you into Picasso's world. Section 3 | Guernica: The Lament of War: This room is dedicated to Picasso's anti-war masterpiece, "Guernica." Through large-scale projections, sketches of the artist's creation, and sensory experiences, visitors can experience the pain and power of this painting. This section will guide visitors through the historical context and artistic expression behind "Guernica," exploring how art has become a timeless language for reflecting on war and calling for peace. Area 4 | Eternal Picasso: A 360-degree immersive theater pays tribute to Picasso through image, sound, and color. Immersed in the fluidity of light and shadow, visitors experience the rhythm of color and form, and experience the emotional tension and artistic rhythm behind his creations. Each shift in light and shadow echoes the spirit of the work, transforming the artist's reflections on the world, life, and emotion into a visual and auditory resonance. Section 5 | I Am Picasso: Self-portraits permeated Picasso's life and served as a crucial expression of his self-exploration. This section showcases his self-portraits from youth to later years, showcasing his reflections on identity, life experiences, and artistic pursuits. Visitors can experience how the artist projected himself onto the canvas and experience the subtle dialogue between his creation and the self. Section 6 | Muses in Painting: Seven women who profoundly influenced Picasso—from Ferlandi to Jacqueline—were both beloved and inspirational. Through photographs, objects, and paintings, this section explores how their influences on his work and his life at different times. Visitors will witness the intertwined stories of love, inspiration, and art, understand how emotion can be a catalyst for creation, and glimpse the complex relationship between artist and his muses.

[Entering the Origins of Civilization: An Immersive Exhibition of the Four Ancient Civilizations Officially Opens] The "World Ancient Civilizations Exhibition" uses the four ancient civilizations as its central axis, leading visitors through time to explore humanity's earliest cultural imagination and the construction of order. The exhibition connects the core spirit of these four civilizations through immersive technology, allowing visitors to transcend geographical and temporal boundaries and rediscover the origins and imagination of human civilization amidst a tapestry of light, sound, and large-scale landscapes. History is no longer a static display, but a journey of civilization that can be experienced firsthand. [Assyrian Civilization – The Roar of Power and Order] The Assyrian civilization, centered on kingship and conquest, is presented in an immersive space designed around the concept of an ancient palace. Light and shadow reconstruct the hunting reliefs on the facade—the lion's muscular physique, galloping posture, and the moment of drawing the bow are magnified, symbolizing the Assyrian cultural spirit that reveres power. The surrounding cuneiform script, like historical inscriptions emerging from clay tablets, illuminates one by one in the dark space, revealing the Assyrian logic of governing the state through recording events, establishing legal codes, and preserving military achievements. Writing is considered a crucial cornerstone in establishing the civilization's structure. [Egyptian Civilization – The Gaze of Eternal Light] Egyptian civilization, with "eternity" as its core concept, constructed a ritual space between life and death. The geometric outlines of the pyramids, the gaze of the statues, and the rhythm of hieroglyphs gradually emerge in the dim light, fully presenting a worldview based on the concept of regeneration. The Rosetta Stone, replicated to scale, showcases the layered structure of language, with the three scripts lighting up sequentially under the image, making the process of deciphering ancient Egyptian languages tangible. The statues, arranged along axes and with symmetry, present the orderly spirit of Egyptian faith, and the symbolic connection between the pharaoh, the gods, and the journey of the soul is made clearer by the space. [Mediterranean Civilization – A Crossroads of Myth and Reason] The Mediterranean Civilization exhibition, themed around the cultural transition from myth to reason, uses light and shadow, architectural language, and dynamic symbols to present the intellectual landscape shaped by Greece and Rome. Colonnades, arches, and sculptural outlines emerge sequentially in the space, creating a visual rhythm that combines light and depth, symbolizing the interweaving and evolution between civilizations. The juxtaposition of multiple images demonstrates how Mediterranean civilization achieved a balance between imagination and thought, symbolizing humanity's cultural transformation from divine narratives to a rational world. [Indian Civilization – The Wheel of Life: Light and Shadow] The Indian Civilization exhibition area uses "The Cycle of Life" as its central theme, constructing a space that blends urban rationality with mystical philosophy through light and shadow, water ripples, and symbolic imagery. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro, its stepped architecture, and fragments of urban planning are presented in soft lighting, showcasing the highly ordered urban structure that had already formed in ancient India by 3000 BC. This exhibition area presents the unique characteristics of ancient Indian civilization interwoven in urban planning, linguistic symbols, and the philosophy of life: a civilization that constructs the world with order and understands life through cycles. The exhibition begins with Assyria, where hunting reliefs are magnified by light and shadow, human-headed winged bulls emerge from the shadows, and cuneiform script lights up one by one, outlining the logic of an empire founded on power and writing. Moving to Egyptian civilization, the geometry of the pyramids, the gaze of the statues, and hieroglyphs slowly emerge, while projections of mummy rituals and journeys to the underworld reveal the core of ancient Egypt's belief in "eternity." The Mediterranean section presents an interplay between Greek mythology and Roman rationality; finally, arriving at Indian civilization, the Great Bath, urban planning, and undeciphered animal seals unfold layer by layer in soft light, while mandalas and projections of reincarnation guide visitors into philosophical reflections on the cycle of life.

British Museum × Chimei Museum Pharaoh artifacts arrive in Taiwan! 280 precious cultural relicsGold and jewelry, burial treasures, temple architecture, large stone sculpturesRecreating the glory of ancient Egypt The British Museum presents a monumental work, "Kings of Egypt: Pharaohs." Exhibition Dates: January 29, 2026 - January 10, 2027Opening hours: 9:30-17:30 (Closed on Wednesdays and Lunar New Year's Eve)Last entry to the special exhibition is at 16:30 (please arrive 30 minutes early to avoid queuing and exceeding the time limit). Closing time is 17:30.Exhibition Location: Special Exhibition Hall, 1st Floor, Chimei Museum "Kings of Egypt: Pharaohs," a collaboration between the Chimei Museum and the British Museum, brings together 280 works! This exhibition takes a fresh perspective, exploring the multifaceted roles of the Egyptian pharaohs through seven themes. It features precious artifacts such as large-scale sculptures, gold jewelry, and diplomatic clay tablets. We cordially invite you to join us on a journey through a thousand years of history, into the kingdom of the Pharaohs, and to discover their mysterious and extraordinary world! — The Pharaoh who ruled for a thousand years — The pharaohs ruled Egypt for over three thousand years. By exploring the pharaohs' ideology and reality, we can further understand the feeling of ruling a long and powerful ancient civilization. — A bridge between God and man, worship and reverence — The pharaoh is a descendant of the gods and bears the sacred responsibility of protecting the order of the universe; as the high priest, performing rituals is an important duty of the pharaoh. — How a Pharaoh reigns and rules — Explore how pharaohs maintained order and territory, revealing their multiple identities and challenges—intertwined with politics and mythology—from foreigners, queens, and non-royal successors. — Gold and jewels, temples, papyrus scrolls, and millennia-old megalithic statues — From the bas-reliefs in the foundation chambers imbued with divine power to the grand temples, it is a testament to the faith within the gods, the pursuit of ruling power and the afterlife, and also a display of the artisans' astonishing skills.

Taichung's Mazu belief is unique. The Dajia Mazu Procession is more than 340 kilometers long, and believers walk along the entire process. It combines 12 century-old temples in Taichung City, and integrates Mazu belief and cultural activities in different regions on the basis of traditional religious rituals, hoping to promote Mazu culture to the international stage and attract cultural pilgrims from all over the world to Taichung to experience the beauty of folk beliefs.

The 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival will be grandly held from February 25 to March 15, 2026. The event will take place in the convenient and vibrant yet traditional Western District of Taipei, stretching from MRT Beimen Station to Huayin Street along Section 1 of Zhonghua Road, covering Beimen Station Exit 1 Plaza, Beimen Plaza, Zhongshan Hall Plaza, Red House Plaza in Ximen, and areas around Ximen MRT Station. The main lantern will be located in the Zhongshan Hall Plaza. Around the Lantern Festival, spectacular lantern displays and performances will be featured, including IP-themed lantern sets, themed lantern installations, lanterns from friendly countries and cities, and entries from the national lantern competition. A series of activities will also be launched to create a festive atmosphere, inviting the public and families to admire the lanterns and spend a wonderful Lantern Festival together. Since its first lighting at Ren’ai Circle in 1997, the Taipei Lantern Festival has accompanied citizens for nearly thirty years. In 2026, the festival will be held simultaneously in the “Flower Expo Area” and “Ximen Area.” Through the integration of the two zones and collaboration with two internationally renowned IPs for lantern displays, the festival will showcase Taipei’s diverse and unique urban charm at the cultural and natural fusion Yuanshan Flower Expo Park and the trendy Ximending. Visitors can also explore surrounding business districts, attractions, and enjoy local delicacies during the festival, deeply experiencing Taipei’s vibrant and multicultural allure, making the Taipei Lantern Festival a highlight of the city’s festive spirit and emotional connection.

The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi! Every year, the Taiwan Lantern Festival brings together a diverse range of activities, including traditional lanterns, creative installations, interactive exhibits, stage performances, small lantern giveaways, and drone light shows, making it the most anticipated national-level Lantern Festival event in Taiwan. This year, under the theme “Roam in the Light of Chiayi: Super Cool Style,” the festival will highlight Chiayi’s urban transformation and cultural charm. With over 600 artworks on display, it will feature a first-ever collaboration with global IP Nintendo to create the whimsical and tech-inspired "Super Mario" Dream Lantern Area. The much-anticipated "Question Mark Block" lantern will delight both children and adults! The 2026 festival is themed “Leaping Light Across Taiwan, Illuminating Chiayi,” showcasing the local development and transformation. After eight years, the festival returns to Chiayi County, presenting over 600 works and building an international-class lantern festival. This year's main lantern departs from traditional zodiac shapes, being designed by artist Yao Zhonghan and inspired by the Alishan Sacred Tree. Standing 21 meters tall, “Bathe in Light—World’s Alishan” uses recycled timber, AI, and digital fabrication technology in its structure, symbolizing sustainability and respect for the environment. Blending multimedia elements such as light, mist, and sound, the lantern creates an atmosphere where nature and technology intertwine, presenting a multi-dimensional and dynamic main lantern show that echoes the vitality of the forest and the passage of time. The festival includes a Main Exhibition Area and Local Exhibition Areas, with one main lantern, two feature side lanterns, and 23 themed areas featuring more than 600 works. In addition to traditional lantern arts, digital technology and multimedia art pieces, as well as collaborations with famous IPs, will offer an international visual feast. The public is invited to Chiayi to experience the colorful and brilliant Lantern Festival!

The Taiwan International Festival of Arts (TIFA) is the most important annual art festival in Taiwan and the most outstanding art and cultural event in Asia. Launched in 2009, TIFA is held every spring and has presented nearly 300 classic domestic and foreign programs so far, allowing domestic audiences to look at world trends and bringing Taiwan's artistic energy to the world. TIFA is not only a stage for international artists to gather and communicate, but also a brilliant art celebration that audiences look forward to every year.