Lantern Festivals: How Cities from Taipei to San Francisco Are Lighting Up for Feb 17th

The Lantern festivals shine on February 17, 2026, and the Lunar New Year is finished by the glowing festivities across the globe. Taipei starts with pre-festive publicity that results in Pingxi sky lantern events and Ximending festivals around Taipei 101, where masses of people set fire to lanterns in the night sky, launching their wishes. The Chinatown of San Francisco is also a land of lantern walks and light installations, coupled with its Feb 15 parade that brings together Chinese traditions and the Bay Area. The San Gabriel Valley has cultural performances at the family lantern festivals on Feb 17-18.

These events represent reunions and good fortune, starting with riddles and ending with tangyuan sweets. Huge crowds and mostly free with sky lanterns ~NT$200/USD$6. The weather in February, when there is no rain, makes the spectacle even more impressive as the time zones are taken into consideration.

Taipei Lantern Events

The lantern festivals of Taipei light Pingxi Line sky, where people gather wishes on paper lanterns and light them after adding some lanterns to the sky-lights of Taiwan, an intangible heritage of UNESCO. Ximending is a massive event with such installations as Formosa Bears, which attract 1M+ visitors every night since February 26, and has food stands and performances. Accessibility to the metro decongests the roads; environmentally-friendly ones minimize the risk of a fire.

San Francisco Celebrations

San Francisco’s lantern festivals feature Chinatown lantern parades post-Feb 15 Lunar gala, with LED-lit dragons and floating orbs. Events at Portsmouth Square include kid crafts and lion dances, fostering community vibes. Nearby San Gabriel adds Feb 17 family nights with DIY lanterns and fireworks.

Embed official post: Taiwan Lantern vibes

FAQs

1. What dates for Taipei lantern festivals 2026?
Pingxi releases peak Feb 27-Mar 3; Ximending displays Feb 26-Mar 15. Free entry, evenings best.​

2. Details on San Francisco lantern events?
Chinatown walks Feb 17 post-parade; San Gabriel festival Feb 17-18 with lights, music. Public welcome.

3. How to participate in sky lantern releases?
Buy at Pingxi stalls, write wishes, light base, and release safely. Groups of 5+ coordinated.​

4. Are these festivals free?
Yes, viewing free; lanterns/activities NT$200-500. Parades open street access.​

5. Traditions of lantern festivals?
Illuminate darkness, solve riddles, and eat tangyuan for family bonds on the Yuan Xiao 15th day.​