Taipei holidays mean many different things to different people…
For me, a holiday in Taiwan is a day of festivity or recreation where I can spend time and have a good meal with my friends and my girlfriend at a restaurant, or head to the beach or mountains to escape the city and enjoy nature.
Find cheap hotels in Taipei City, Taiwan!
For some, a Taiwanese holiday means going to the temple to worship ancestors or ask favors to the gods.
For most though, especially in Taipei City, a holiday is simply a break from work or school. It’s a day to rest and take time off from the hectic, busy pace of life of Taipei.
It’s not uncommon to also hear Taiwanese people say things like: “I hate holidays and festivals! The MRT is packed. You can’t get a table at a restaurant. The traffic is insane! I have to visit my family...”
Information About Taipei Holidays
Wether or not you like them or hate them, you might want to know a bit more about these Taiwanese festivals.
Here is a list of Taipei holidays as well as the dates when they are celebrated:
- January 1 – Founding Day
- 1st to 15th day of the lunar calendar – Chinese New Year
- 15th day of the lunar calendar – Lantern Festival
- February 28 – 228 Peace Memorial Day
- April 4 – Women’s Day and Children’s Day
- April 5 – Tomb Sweeping Day
- May 1 – Labor Day (May Day)
- 5th day of the fifth lunar month – Dragon Boat Festival
- First to 29th day of seventh lunar month – Ghost Month
- August 15 of the lunar calendar – Moon Festival
- September 28 – Teachers’ Day
- October 10 – National Day
A note about traveling during Taipei holidays
Most holidays in Taiwan mean that people don’t have to go to work or school, which leads to millions of people going somewhere.
On those special days, expect very intense traffic on all the roads around Taiwan. Especially the ones that lead to popular resorts and attractions like Kenting, Sun Moon Lake, Mt. Hehuan, Wulai, and Yangming Mountain.
The MRT and buses in Taipei can also be hard to access. I once had to wait 30 minutes before being able to get on the subway during the Chinese New Year Holiday in Taipei City.
Wanna eat out during a holiday in Taipei?
Only one advice here: make a reservation well in advance!
One more suggestion actually… When you call to make a reservation, ask them if they will serve meals a la carte. It’s not uncommon for restaurants to only serve (expensive) set meals during Taipei holidays.