TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taoyuan will illuminate the skies with the 2026 Taoyuan Lantern Festival until March 8, showcasing a grand 18-meter Pegasus-themed main lantern. This spectacular event, held at Hutoushan Innovation Hub (虎頭山創新園區), Nankan Creek Riverside (南崁溪水岸), and Sanmin Sports Park (三民運動公園), combines light, music, and mist to symbolize the city's ascent onto the international stage.
Organizers designed the main lantern, a 13-meter metallic Pegasus with an 18-meter wingspan, to reflect Taoyuan's aviation city image. Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) remarked that the horse is placed on top of an airplane to symbolize the horse soaring into the sky. He stated that Taoyuan serves as Taiwan's gateway to the world, so the airplane represents Taoyuan itself. Chang further noted that, with it being the Year of the Horse, this lantern design will be something both parents and children will truly love and cherish.
The festival features three themed zones, offering diverse light displays and nighttime landscapes. These areas provide a sensory experience, intertwining technology and art to showcase Taoyuan as the gateway to the nation. The lantern's base can rotate 360 degrees, and its wings use advanced multi-axis robotic arm technology, creating an immersive experience with smoke, lighting, and laser effects. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and extends to 10 p.m. on weekends, inviting visitors to explore the innovative displays across the three locations.
Additionally, the 2026 creative lantern design incorporates an airplane shape with a horse as the pilot, symbolizing steady progress. The lantern's handle features copper coin elements and a propeller, representing 'forward motion' and 'profit.' Its design includes a piggy bank feature, making it both environmentally friendly and practical, adorned with pearl coast imagery and peach blossom patterns. The festival promises to captivate attendees with its blend of tradition and modernity, offering a unique cultural experience.