TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taichung City Government will host the 2026 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival - Taichung MOOMIN ON until March 3 in Taichung Central Park (中央公園). This year's festival will feature the famous Finnish IP, Moomin, marking its debut in Taiwan with an immersive aurora show that symbolizes happiness and international cultural exchange.
Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) emphasized the significance of Moomin, an internationally renowned Finnish IP, celebrating its 80th anniversary. She noted that Taichung has often been recognized as Taiwan's happiest city, making this collaboration particularly meaningful. The Tourism and Travel Bureau (觀光旅遊局) Director Chen Mei-shiu (陳美秀) highlighted the theme, which incorporates international IP marketing by decorating Taipei Citizen Square (市民廣場) with Moomin inflatables.
The "Riverside area"(河畔區) will use mist and colorful lights to create a dreamlike Nordic aurora experience, symbolizing love's companionship on life's journey. The "Forest areas"(森林區) will focus on the daily life of the Moomin family, inviting people to enjoy a therapeutic urban micro-vacation through the vibe of lakeside starry nights and Moonlit camping.
The Construction Bureau (建設局) of Taichung City Government designed the "Adventure areas"(探險區) themed Awakening of Insects (驚螫), to lead visitors on an exploration of nature, ecology, art, and culture, capturing the surprise of spring's arrival.
Chen mentioned that the main lantern area will adopt the "Moomin Valley" (姆明谷)concept, offering a 360-degree experience with Taiwan's only moving mechanical main lantern. The Moomin family will move to music on a circular train track, accompanied by aerial silk dancers creating a butterfly effect. The Agriculture Bureau (農業局) of Taichung City Government will present the 'Ecological area', which features the animal world, encouraging visitors to explore the beauty of human-animal coexistence and support animal protection and environmental sustainability.