The 2025 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival, under the theme “Snakes Bringing Happiness,” will take place at Central Park from February 8 to 23, spanning 16 days. At today’s (10th) press conference, Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin unveiled the festival’s highlights, including Taiwan’s first-ever humanoid movable main lantern, “Nuwa,” nine thematic lantern zones, a cultural and creative marketplace, and charming “Sweet Snake” mini lanterns for a fully immersive experience. Marking the festival's 25th anniversary, the city government has also launched special events, such as raffles for round-trip airfare and hotel stays, to make this lantern festival in the Year of the Snake truly memorable.

“Taiwan's First Movable Main Lantern!” Deputy Mayor Cheng highlighted that the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival, the largest single-venue local lantern festival in Taiwan, embraces the theme “Snakes Bringing Happiness” this year. The theme plays on the homophone for “fulfillment” in Chinese, wishing everyone achieve their goals in the Year of the Snake while embodying Taichung's vision of becoming a happy and livable city. After winning 12 international design awards last year, the festival continues to innovate, with this year’s main lantern drawing inspiration from the mythical goddess Nuwa, known as Mother of the Earth, who patched the holes in Heaven with five colored stones. The main lantern, with a human head and snake body, features a humanoid design with dynamic mechanical movements and a slithering snake body that traverses Central Park. Enhanced by AR technology, the immersive environment invites visitors into a magical realm inspired by Nuwa’s act of creation.

Deputy Mayor Cheng shared that the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and has earned consistent praise over the years. For the first time, the festival will run for 16 days, its longest duration yet, featuring collaborative efforts from five city government departments to present nine themed lantern zones. Alongside the impressive main lantern by the Tourism and Travel Bureau, visitors can explore zones like “Urban Oasis,” “Flavorful Delights,” “Snake Dance,” and “Snake Surprises.” Other highlights include “Time and Space Rhapsody” by the Construction Bureau, “Oceanic Magical Adventure” by the Agriculture Bureau, “Snake Stories” by the Education Bureau, and “Fun in Love” by the Civil Affairs Bureau. These zones promise to dazzle visitors with attractions both day and night.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival in 2025, the Tourism and Travel Bureau has organized a series of events. All are invited to dig out old photos taken with loved ones in front of previous main lanterns and share them on the Tourism and Travel Bureau’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/taichungresort/). Along with reliving cherished memories, participants can enter a raffle for prizes such as round-trip T’way Air tickets (Taichung-Incheon) and luxury hotel stays in Taichung. Starting February 8, when the festival officially kicks off, on-site surprise activities will also be available.

According to the Tourism and Travel Bureau, this year’s Lantern Festival is a joint effort by five city government departments, featuring nine themed zones and backed by 60 marketing business partners. With more than 100 lantern displays, Central Park will be transformed into a radiant wonderland. Daily themed markets will also take place, including the “Little Snail Market” by local young entrepreneurs and the creatively named “Snake Mo City” market—a homophone on “What’s up? in Chinese”—offering an array of attractions for visitors to see, eat, explore, and shop.

A standout of the festival is the delightful and cute “Sweet Snake” mini lanterns. Designed as a pink soft serve, the snake’s body is decorated with colorful toppings and gummy candies that form the word “Taichung.” The cone-shaped handle adds whimsy and practicality, resembling a fun, handheld treat. When illuminated, the lantern evokes a sense of nostalgia and joy, as if the ice cream snake is melting into the sweetness of the night. Lanterns will be available daily during the festival, with lines opening at 3:30 PM and distribution starting at 4 PM. Each person is limited to one lantern while supplies last.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau added that to make it easier for the public to enjoy the Lantern Festival, shuttle buses will be available on Saturdays and Sundays during the event (February 8–9, 15–16, and 22–23). These buses will run directly to the venue from Taichung MRT City Hall Station and Songzhu Station (Taiwan Railways Songzhu Station). Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this service. For the latest updates on the Lantern Festival and more Taichung travel information, please visit the Travel Taichung website (https://travel.taichung.gov.tw).

Today's event was attended by Deputy Mayor Cheng, City Council members Liu Shih-chou and Lin Pei-han, Tourism and Travel Bureau Director Chen Mei-hsiu, Construction Bureau Director Chen Ta-tien, Agriculture Bureau Director Chang Ching-chang, Education Bureau Director Chiang Wei-min, Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-chun, Secretariat Director Hsieh Chia-chen, Civil Service Ethics Office Director Lin Huan-chun, Chairperson Yang Hsin-i of the Indigenous Peoples Council, and Secretary-General Huang Yu-shan of the Taichung Industrial Development and Investment Promotion Committee, along with several district chiefs. Additionally, representatives were all sent by Legislative Yuan Vice President Chiang Chi-chen, Legislators Huang Jen and Liao Wei-hsiang, and City Council members Wu Chiung-hua, Huang Hsin-hui, Chen Wen-cheng, and the Wu Chen-chia Service Office to support the event.