Image: courtesy of Snowtown
That special time of the year is upon us. With Christmas celebrations in Taiwan growing with each passing annum locals, expats, and visitors alike are wondering where to go to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Holidays. We’ve provided our guides to celebrating Christmas in Taipei (here) and Kaohsiung (here) so now it’s time to bounce over to the eastern side of the island to Taichung where all sorts of festive season festivities await.
Top 3 Things to Do in Taichung to Celebrate Christmas and the Holiday Season
Christmas at the National Taichung Theater
For those of you who like to experience Christmas in Taiwan with artistic flare, come to the National Taichung Theater. Award-winning Japanese architect Toyo Ito designed the Theater, and many consider the Theater building a piece of artwork in itself. During Christmas, the building is transformed into a Christmas fantasy land, with spectacular lights, music and shows. This year (2019) National Taichung Theater is offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the festive season with a private guided tour of the Theater building. Visitors will learn about why Mr. Toyo Ito designed the building the way it is, and admire the artistic design of the Theater. After the guided tour, stroll through the Christmas alley inside the Theater and enjoy a magical array of lights and music performance. To end this magical experience, enjoy a Christmas dinner inside the Theater restaurant.
Address: 40756 No. 101, Sec. 2, Huilai Rd., Xitun District, Taichung City.
Price per person: TWD700 (around USD23)
Schedule:
12/18 (Wed) 19:00-20:30 (special Taiwu Elementary School Choir Live Performance)
12/21 (Sat) 11:30-13:00、19:00-20:30
12/22 (Sun) 11:30-13:00、19:00-20:30
12/25 (Wed) 19:00-20:30
Christmas at the Taiwan Lantern Festival 2019-2020
Instead of bringing your kids and the whole family to a shopping mall during the Christmas season, bring them to the Taiwan Lantern Festival! With traditional lanterns dangling all over Wenxin Forest Park, the park will become a Kids’ Paradise with performances and colorful themed-lanterns capturing everyone’s heart, from young to old. If you happen to miss this Christmas event at the Wenxin park, there will be another Lantern exhibition at the Houli Forest Expo Site and Houli Horse Ranch during February 2020.
Dates: Saturday, December 21st to Sunday, February 23rd.
Location:
Main exhibition：Houli Forest Expo Site and Houli Horse Ranch (2/8-2/23)
Address: No. 41, Sishan Road, Houli District, Taichung City
Secondary exhibition: Wenxin Forest Park (12/21 – 2/23)
Address: Section 1, Wenxin Road, Nantun District, Taichung City
Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung Harbour
Last but not least, for those of you who would like to do some Christmas shopping while you are in Taichung, you must not miss the Mitsui Outlet Park in Taichung Harbour. The Mitsui Outlet in Taichung celebrates its first anniversary this Christmas season. The Outlet will be decorated with precious colourful and glittering gemstones. A 5 meter tall diamond Christmas tree stands tall at the South second entrance of the Outlet. Hop onto the Taichung Star Ferris Wheel at sunset and enjoy the fantastic views of the mountains, the sea, the sunset and the magical Christmas lights of the Outlet park. If snowing during Christmas season is not something you are familiar with back home, then you must check out Snowtown inside the Outlet Park. Snowtown is an indoor skiing and snow village operated under 20 degrees Celcius. During the Christmas holidays, the town will become a Christmas paradise and we hear that Santa will be making an appearance often throughout the days leading into December 25.
Address: No. 168, Section 10, Taiwan Boulevard, Wuqi District, Taichung City
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11:00 am – 9:30 pm, Sat – Sun 10:30 am – 9:30 pm
Looking for something more adventurous to do in Taichung during the Holiday season? Connect to a local guide to help you navigate the city (and beyond) during the Holidays. It all begins by book the tour today.
