The Chinese lunar calender is crowded with traditional festivals, most of which are observed with great pomp and ceremony in the Taiwan area. These festivals offer visitors fascinating insights into 5.000 years of Chinese culture.
The first major festival of the year is of course, the Chinese New Year, often calles Lunar New Year, the most important of annual festivals, followed by the Lantern Festival on the first full moon of the lunar calendar (usually during the month of February on the solar calender). Next on the calendar is the birthday of Matsu, Goddess of the Sea, celebrated with elaborate rites at Matsu temples throughout Taiwan; tourists should visit Peikang to see the annual pilgrimage and elaborate celebrations. Boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival, when the gates of Hell open and spirits have a vacation in the land of the living, is marked by temple ceremonies, feasts for wandering ghosts, and other activities. The Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival celebrates the harvest moon and is passed by gazing at the moon and eating rich pastries known as "moon cakes". Confucius' Birthday, also celebrated as Teacher's day, is marked with an ancient dawn ceremony of dances, costumes, music, and other rites. The last major festival of the year is the Double Tenth National day, which commemorates the anniversary of the October 10, 1911, revolutiuon, which led to the overthrow of the Ch'ing dynasty and the founding of the Republic of China. It is marked with huge parades in front of Taipei's Presidential Office Building, displays of martial arts, folk dances and other cultural activities.



Overview of annual festivals
Events in Taiwan
Annual Festivals

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