Two New Years: Taiwan's Double Celebration Guide

For many people around the world, winter means Christmas and one New Year's Eve. But for Taiwanese people, we celebrate New Year twice! Between late December and February, Taiwan has a special cultural transition. We celebrate Western New Year on December 31st, which is New Year's Eve, and the traditional Lunar New Year later.

There is a big contrast between these two holidays. The December countdown is modern and full of young people. Cities have big outdoor concerts. Huge crowds watch the famous Taipei 101 fireworks. It is a time to party with friends and make goals for the new year.

A few weeks later, the feeling completely changes. For the Lunar New Year, people focus on their families. Millions of people travel back to their hometowns, causing terrible traffic jams. The energetic parties stop, and quiet family time begins. We hang red spring couplets on our doors. Instead of drinking champagne, families eat a big reunion dinner, give out red envelopes, and play mahjong.

Because we have both, Taiwanese people get the best of both worlds: a fun, modern party and a warm, traditional family holiday.