Taiwan lights up for the end of Lunar New Year

If Taiwan has been on your travel "to do" list then next week might be a good opportunity.

The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held in Chiayi County from March 3 to 15. 

Diverse offerings include the chance to stand beneath a 21-metre tower of glowing light while drones paint the night sky, fireworks burst overhead, and the sounds of Irish tap dancers fill the air. 

Taiwan Lantern Festival is one of Asia's most beloved annual celebrations - marking the end of the Lunar New Year . 

Each year it rotates to a different city and this year's theme is "Glow with Taiwan, Light Up Chiayi". 

The festival has 12 official "must-see" attractions. The centrepiece is "Glow of Alishan", a towering 21-metre main lantern synchronized to a full sound and light show. 

International artists include France's Cavalcade of White Horses and high-energy Irish tap dancers, along with the Taiwanese Paper Windmill Theatre, and the Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group.

Chiayi is accessible by high-speed rail with the Chiayi HSR Station connected to Taipei in under 90 minutes. 

See more at 2026taiwanlanternfestival.org/En 

Sydney does NYE in style

Sydney always hosts one of the first - and finest - New Year's Eve celebration on the planet.

The City of Sydney has sent me some image to share, even as many of you are still awaiting your own NYE fireworks.

 








Nearly a million people are estimated to have come together on the night for the traditional fireworks display on Sydney Harbour.

People across the foreshore also observed a minute’s silence at 11pm remembering the victims of the recent Bondi terror attack. “New Year’s Eve is about more than just fireworks and once again we showed the best of Sydney. It was a true reflection of who we are - a diverse, inclusive and creative city,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“I was truly impressed by the phenomenal New Year’s Eve show that brought together fireworks, music, lights and pylon projections into a show Sydney will be proud of.

“In a show of support for the Jewish community, we respectfully marked the horrific attack in Bondi that has brought so much sorrow to Sydney over the last few weeks.

“I was moved to see people right across the harbour embrace the moment of unity, showing the world we will not let this hateful act of terror divide us. We are a respectful, inclusive and welcoming city, and a home to so many people of different nationalities and faiths. Sydney demonstrated to the world that we stand together as one community.

“I’d like to thank our amazing events crew, the thousands of emergency service men and women, security and transport staff, volunteers, as well as our clean up teams who gave up their night to allow us to enjoy the celebrations safely.

“I hope New Year’s Eve gave people the chance to end 2025 on a positive note and I wish everyone in Sydney a peaceful, safe and prosperous start to 2026.”

Nine tonnes of fireworks were shot from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, six city centre buildings and 8 platforms on the harbour.

Images: City of Sydney

Sydney promising New Year's Eve celebrations "as usual"

Sydney is promising New Year's Eve as usual - except for a few more guns. 

The City of Sydney says teams around the harbour are putting the final touches on Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve spectacular as the city comes together to ring in 2026.

At 11pm, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and boats on the water will light up white as a symbol of unity and peace, in the wake of the terrorist attacks at Bondi Beach two weeks ago. 

Sydney will pause for one minute of silence, with crowds invited to switch on phone torches in solidarity. 

The Premier of New South Wales state, Chris Minns, said police will be deployed "in massive numbers" and some will be carrying weapons that "residents have not seen before".

“After a tragic end to the year for our city, we hope that New Year’s Eve will provide an opportunity to come together and look with hope for a peaceful and happy 2026,” said Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney. 

“On our biggest night of the year, Sydney coming together will demonstrate to the world that we stand together as one community, united in love.

“This year’s event will be our biggest New Year’s Eve yet, with more fireworks launched from more locations than ever before. Sydney New Year’s Eve is more than just fireworks, it is a reflection of who we are - a diverse, inclusive and creative city.”

So money will still be made. 

More fireworks than ever before will spring from water, land and aerial platforms, 6 city rooftops and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

“With a footprint spanning 7km along the harbour, we’re doing everything we can to give the people of Sydney a great night with some stunning pyrotechnic moments,” Foti International Fireworks creative director Fortunato Foti said.

“We’ve been delighting and entertaining Sydney New Year’s Eve audiences for 29 years and we strive to make every year bigger and better."

Visit sydneynewyearseve.com to choose a spot to watch the fireworks. 

Image: Credit: City of Sydney/Keith McInnes

Sydney gears up for New Year's Eve

There is nothing like being prepared.

The City of Sydney this week sent out a press release on its preparations for New Year's Eve.

That is fully four months away, but hey.

Apparently, Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations are coming back with a bang, with free access to many vantage points around the harbour and ticketing scrapped for all City of Sydney sites.

Restrictions introduced during the pandemic will be dropped, giving more people the opportunity to view and enjoy Sydney’s iconic celebrations.

The official New Year’s Eve website - sydneynewyearseve.com - has launched with details of all the City of Sydney’s vantage points, as well as key viewing locations extending from Cockatoo Island to Dover Heights and Manly.

The website includes details about each location’s entry points, opening and closing times, alcohol policy, capacity, food and beverage options and accessibility services.

More vantage points, location information road closures and transport details will be added to the website in the coming weeks.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the website and resources would help people to make a plan for the big night and explore the many ways to celebrate and watch the fireworks.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve is an iconic event and a wonderful celebration of our safe, harmonious and vibrant city,” Moore said.

"With Covid restrictions lifted and more parkland access available we anticipate there will be large crowds across the city keen to see the fireworks. I encourage everyone to check out sydneynewyearseve.com and plan ahead.

“Whether you’re watching at home or coming to join us along the foreshore, the event is a great way to reflect on the year past and look with hope to the year ahead. I hope locals and visitors alike enjoy the show!”

While the majority of sites around the harbour will be free, some will be ticketed to manage crowd numbers including the Cahill Expressway (which is balloted), Clark, Goat and Shark islands, Strickland Estate and Bradley’s Head (Mast Precinct, Athol Lawn, Amphitheatre).

Separate paid events around the harbour include at Taronga Zoo and the Royal Botanic Garden’s Foundation & Friends NYE Picnic.