Lantern festivals bring color to Taiwan around Lunar New Year. In Yilan, the Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival fills the area around Dongshan Station with evening lights and seasonal activities.Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival poster
An Annual Evening of Lights
The festival connects Dongshan Station with the old river port area. Lanterns, light installations, and large sculptures reflect on the water, bringing together the riverside scenery and local streets.
2026 Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival
What Makes the Festival Special
Its highlights include colorful light displays, a variety of activities, local heritage, and riverside experiences. The 2026 festival opened on January 17. Light displays, music, fireworks, and railway-side markets with food and crafts brought the station area to life.
Colorful Light Displays
Lanterns, illuminated decorations, and large sculptures added color to the old river port during the festival.Evening light displays
Markets & Activities
The railway-side market around Dongshan Station brought food vendors, creative brands, and handmade crafts together, alongside music and festival activities. The station and riverside setting made it easy to enjoy different parts of Dongshan in one outing.
2026 Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival; photo by Happy Dongshan2026 Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival; photo by Happy Dongshan
2026 Festival Fireworks
Two fireworks displays were scheduled at 20:26: a 180-second opening display on January 17, and February 28 at 20:26 for a 600-second Lantern Festival display.
2026 Dongshan festival fireworks; photo by Happy Dongshan2026 Dongshan festival fireworks; photo by Happy Dongshan
A Connection with Local Heritage
Dongshan’s old river port is part of the township’s local story. The riverside and station area give the festival a distinctive setting.
The annual lantern festival brings people back to this waterside neighborhood through light displays and cultural activities.Exploring Dongshan from the water
Discovering More of Dongshan
A walk around the old river channel is a lovely way to see Dongshan beyond the main light displays. Riverside scenery and nearby cultural experiences can add to the outing.
With lights reflected on the water and activities around the station, the festival offers an inviting way to enjoy Dongshan in the evening.Dongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival; photo by yilanasin
Dongshan Old River Port Lantern FestivalDongshan Old River Port Lantern Festival
2026 Festival Details
Official page: Happy Dongshan Facebook page Dates: January 17–March 7, 2026 Phone: +886-3-959-0799 Parking: Dongshan Station parking area Location: Dongshan Station plaza and old river port area Address: No. 1, Zhongzheng Road, Dongshan Township, Yilan County Getting there: train, car, or scooter
2026 Festival Questions & Answers
Q1: When and where was the 2026 festival? A1: It ran from January 17 to March 7, 2026, around Dongshan Station plaza and the old river port, with lights along the riverside.
Q2: When were the fireworks scheduled? A2: Both main displays were scheduled at 20:26:
January 17, opening display: 180 seconds.
February 28, Lantern Festival display: 600 seconds.
Q3: What activities accompanied the lights? A3: Alongside light installations and sculptures, concerts and holiday railway-side markets offered food and crafts. The riverside also provided a setting for boat outings and local exploration.
Q4: How could visitors get there and park? A4: Take a train to Dongshan Station, beside the festival area. Drivers could use the Dongshan Station parking area.
Q5: What makes the festival a lovely Yilan stop? A5: The station, old river port, and nearby Dongshan River Ecoark bring local history and natural scenery together, giving visitors more to explore around the evening lights.
Q6: Where can visitors stay or dine nearby? A6: For a stay or meal in Dongshan, consider LOHERB Villa and LOHERB Cuisine. You can combine a visit to the station area with French-inspired dining and a countryside stay, traveling between them by car.
Explore these guides for more ideas around Yilan and eastern Taiwan.
