TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei unveiled plans for the 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival during a press conference held on Friday (Jan. 16). The festival will open on Feb. 25, featuring dual exhibition areas at Ximen (西門) and Taipei EXPO Park (花博雙展區), marking a first in the festival's history, according to an announcement.
Yu Hsiang (余祥), director of the city's Department of Information and Tourism (觀光傳播局), revealed that this year's lantern festival will introduce a dual-brand model. The Taipei EXPO Park will collaborate with the Transformers brand to create themed lantern installations and light displays. The festival's main attraction at the Taipei EXPO Park will spotlight the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, alongside Bumblebee and Megatron.
During the press conference, officials showcased a small lantern design featuring Optimus Prime. Organizers plan to distribute these lanterns at the exhibition areas and across various administrative districts starting March 1. Organizers aim to create an immersive lantern-viewing experience, blending iconic characters with dazzling light shows.
The festival will run from Feb. 25 to March 15, with lights illuminating the night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Visitors can reach the exhibition areas via MRT, alighting at Yuanshan Station (圓山站) or Ximen Station, and then walking to the venues. The festival encourages attendees to explore nearby attractions, enriching their cultural experience.