Taiwan is getting ready for a nice long break this Lunar New Year. The holiday runs for 9 full days, from February 14 to February 22, 2026. That means lots of time with family, good food, and fun events. Chinese New Year starts on February 17 this year, the Year of the Fire Horse. Many people take the whole stretch off to celebrate.
The holiday kicks off with cleaning the house before New Year’s Eve. Families get together for big meals and red envelopes with lucky money. Fireworks and visits to temples bring good vibes for the new year.
A key day is February 20, the fourth day of the lunar calendar. On this day, people welcome the gods back, especially the wealth god. Families set out sweet treats like candy to make the god happy. They clean up and throw away trash to “throw out poverty” and bring in good luck. A special dish called “zhe luo” uses leftovers from festival meals. Eating it means no worries about food all year.
Some things to avoid on the first four days include sweeping the floor too much early on, as it might sweep away luck. No using needles or sewing. Keep the kitchen clean and don’t argue thereโthe stove god watches and reports bad behavior. Don’t be stingy with food; share to keep wealth close. Stay home if you can, and avoid far trips on the fourth day.
Your zodiac sign matters too. If you’re Rat, Snake, Rooster, or Pig, February 20 looks lucky for money and help from others. But if you’re Sheep, watch out for clashes. Horse signs might lose some cash, and Dragons could face arguments.
Traffic gets crazy during the break. February 20 sees big northbound crowds on highways. Places like Nantou, Changhua, Miaoli, Hsinchu, and Taoyuan face heavy jams. Drivers should leave earlyโbefore noon in central areas or 9 a.m. from the south. High-occupancy rules close some ramps on National Highway 1 and 3 in the afternoon. Shoulders open on many sections to ease flow. Tolls stay flat, with discounts on some roads. Try buses or high-speed rail for cheaper and faster ridesโmany offer big cuts.
After the main holiday, the Lantern Festival lights up Taiwan. The big Taiwan Lantern Festival returns to Chiayi starting March 3. A huge 21-meter lantern shows Alishan scenes, plus a fun Super Mario zone with free brick lanterns and games. Taipei has spots in Ximending and Flower Expo with Transformers figures like Optimus Prime. Taichung teams up with Line Friends for a giant character giving out lanterns. Changhua goes with a circus theme, Tainan has harbor lights and hand-painted ones. Pingxi sky lanterns fly high too. Check local lists for more.
Amusement parks join the fun with deals. Six Flags gives horse-year people annual passes cheap. Some parks offer free entry or buy-two-get-one-free for certain ages or groups.
For easy eating and fun, many markets close on key days, so hit chain stores like PX Mart or Costcoโthey stay open. Department stores run pop-up events: Lego races in Taipei, Stitch in Tainan, horror themes in Kaohsiung. Stay home for temple visits or just relax with family. Trash pickup starts again in big cities on February 20 or 21โcheck your area.
This year brings a mix of old customs, smart travel tips, bright lights, and park fun. Whether you follow taboos closely or just enjoy the break, Taiwan’s Lunar New Year packs in joy and good wishes for the year ahead.