2026 Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

Pingxi in Taiwan has a long and storied history and is most known for its distinctive mountain railway scenery and rich mining heritage. Its low-lying, flat terrain makes it the ideal setting for the traditional practice of sending lanterns into the sky to convey messages of safety and well-being. Owing to its unique geographic advantages, Pingxi has become the only location in New Taipei City where sky lanterns may be released. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the area experiences relatively stable wind conditions at night, which further supports the safe release of large numbers of lanterns. In addition, the Pingxi Line railway, together with the culinary delights and attractions of Pingxi Old Street and Shifen Old Street, provides visitors with convenient transportation and a rich cultural experience. These distinctive qualities make Pingxi the ideal stage for the annual sky lantern celebration, perfectly reflecting the festival’s theme of blessings and cultural heritage.
The 2026 New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival showcases Taiwan’s unique blend of cultural heritage and creative vitality through blessing rituals that combine tradition and innovation. The event also presents an unforgettable international celebration of cultural exchange for audiences from around the world. Before each release of hundreds of sky lanterns, visitors enjoy a Year of the Horse projection mapping show, creating an auspicious atmosphere that complements the collective lantern release. During the festival, a variety of interactive experiences are also offered, including AR photo opportunities with the main lantern, interactive personality quizzes, and digital sky lantern promotions, adding innovative technological elements to the celebration. In pursuit of environmental sustainability while preserving local traditions, the Tourism and Travel Department of the New Taipei City Government collaborated with Shifen Elementary School to pilot a new type of “sustainable sky lantern.” This lantern features a base frame made entirely of paper materials. After ascending into the sky, the structure can burn away completely at high altitude, significantly reducing its environmental impact on surrounding forests. Through continued innovation and experimentation, the organizers hope to create more environmentally friendly approaches to sustaining this cherished traditional festival.