Taiwan Lantern Festival activities in 2010
Celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival marks the last day of the Lunar New Year and is therefore also known as "Little Lunar New Year." During this time, various Lantern Festival activities are held throughout Taiwan, including large-scale city and county festivals supported by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau since 2001. These annual activities include the Taiwan Lantern Festival, Taipei Lantern Festival, Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, Taipei Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, Miaoli Bombing the Dragon Activity, Tainan Yanshuei Beehive Rockets Festival, and Taitung Bombing of Master Han Dan Festival. Known collectively as the "Taiwan Lantern Festivals," these events form Taiwan's premier festival celebration of the year, attracting visitors from around the world.

Taiwan Lantern Festival activities in 2010:

Taiwan Lantern Festival (February 28 to March 7): Held this year in Chiayi City, this year's Taiwan Lantern Festival invites visitors with a host of activities, including the main theme lantern show presented every half hour. In addition to the main venue by Chiayi Park, activities will be arranged in the area Zhongshan Road to the front of Chiayi Train Station. TO avoid traffic congestion and parking problems, visitors are encouraged to take the bus or train to the festival site and walk down Zhongshan Road to reach the main festival venue.

Taipei Lantern Festival (February 26 to March 7): This festival will be held at National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and City Hall Square. The event areas include an Artistic Lantern Area, Sea of Lanterns Tunnel, Wish Lantern Area, Dreams of the Five Continents, Traditional Lantern Area, Main Theme Lantern Area, Entrance Lantern, Student Lantern Area, and International Lantern Area. There is also an area for promoting the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition (Taipei Int'l Flora Expo), which kicks off this November.

Kaohsiung Lantern Festival (February 20 to March 7): "Love and Luck" is the theme of this year's festival at Guangrong Wharf in Kaohsiung City.

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (February 16 to March 7): Enjoy the spectacle of thousands of lanterns ascending into the night sky during this one-of-a-king festival. Visitors can write their wishes on the lanterns and send them up to the heavens in hope for peace and good fortune in the year ahead.

Miaoli Bombing the Dragon Activity (February 22 to March 2): Fireworks and dragon dancing come together for a seasonal spectacle rooted in Hakka culture during this annual Lantern Festival event.

Yanshui Beehive Rockets Festival (February 27 and 28): Fireworks, diablo performances, Songjiang Battle Array displays, dragon dancing and other colorful traditional displays will dazzle the crowds during this annual festival.

Taitung Bombing of the Deity Han Dan Festival (February 23 to March 3): This 62-year-old tradition is held to seek the protection and good fortune from Han Dan, the God of Wealth. Han Dan gods from across Taiwan join in the celebration with folk performance groups, floats, and other activities. This year, the Taitung City Government has also planned various art and cultural events to highlight the city's public spirit and cultural values.

In addition to these events, various local governments are also organizing large-scale Lantern Festival activities this year. Among them are the Yeliu Religious Culture Festival held by the Taipei County Government on February 21 to 28; The Taoyuan Lantern Festival held by the Taoyuan City Government on February 20 to 28; the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival held by the Taichung City Government from February 21 to March 7; and the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival held by the Kaohsiung County Government on February 19 to 28. From dazzling high-tech displays to romantic and traditional events, this year's Lantern Festival season offers something for everyone to welcome in a year of good fortune!