New Taipei City ushered in 2026 with its flagship New Year’s Eve celebration, Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks, drawing an estimated 90,000 visitors to the Tamsui River waterfront on December 31. Combining large-scale outdoor concerts with a choreographed cross-river fireworks display, the event once again cemented its status as one of Taiwan’s most iconic year-end celebrations.
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A Dual-Stage Celebration Across the Tamsui River
Held simultaneously on both sides of the Tamsui River, the event featured two main performance stages:
- Tamsui “Starlight Stage”
- Bali “Moonlight Stage”
The dual-stage format allowed audiences on both riverbanks to enjoy live performances, with the stages connected through a real-time broadcast that symbolically and visually linked the two historic waterfront districts.
Taiwan–Japan–Korea Lineup Highlights Global Appeal
This year’s celebration showcased a high-profile Taiwan–Japan–South Korea artist lineup, highlighting New Taipei City’s growing presence on the international cultural stage.
At the Tamsui Starlight Stage, HWASA, one of South Korea’s most influential K-pop artists, delivered a powerful, high-energy performance that became one of the night’s defining moments. Her appearance drew strong international attention and underscored the event’s global reach.
Across the river at the Bali Moonlight Stage, Japanese singer-songwriter Ai Higuchi brought emotional depth to the evening. Widely known for Akuma no Ko, the theme song from Attack on Titan, Higuchi’s performance resonated strongly with fans and added a contemplative counterpoint to the festivities.
Throughout the evening, artists from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea rotated across both stages, reinforcing the event’s cross-cultural spirit.
Fireworks Designed by World-Renowned Groupe F
The centrepiece of the night unfolded at 8:26 p.m. on December 31, with a spectacular fireworks display designed by the internationally acclaimed French pyrotechnics company Groupe F.
The show lasted 13 minutes and 14 seconds, a symbolic nod to the event’s “1314” theme, and featured:
- Over 35,000 fireworks
- More than 60 colours
- Precise synchronisation with music, river reflections, and architectural lighting
The choreography transformed the night sky into a sweeping visual narrative, celebrating both the natural beauty of the Tamsui River and New Taipei City’s forward-looking urban vision.
A Cultural Prelude to the Danjiang Bridge
Mayor Hou Yu-ih described Shining New Taipei 1314 as a defining New Year’s Eve event for the city, uniquely distinguished by its cross-river setting and integration of music, fireworks, and urban planning.
He noted that the celebration serves as a cultural prelude to the upcoming Danjiang Bridge, which will physically connect Tamsui and Bali. Scheduled for inauguration in 2026, the bridge is expected to:
- Enhance regional connectivity
- Boost tourism along the river corridor
- Support sustainable urban and cultural development
Strengthening New Taipei City’s Global Cultural Profile
With its blend of international performers, large-scale fireworks, and symbolic urban milestones, the 2026 edition of Shining New Taipei 1314 reinforced New Taipei City’s reputation as a destination for major cultural events in Asia.
As the city looks ahead to new infrastructure and continued international engagement, the annual cross-river celebration remains a powerful showcase of its cultural ambition.
At a Glance
- Event: Shining New Taipei 1314 Cross-River Fireworks
- Date: December 31, 2025
- Location: Tamsui River, Tamsui & Bali districts
- Attendance: Estimated 90,000 visitors
- Key performers: HWASA (South Korea), Ai Higuchi (Japan)
- Fireworks designer: Groupe F (France)
- Duration: 13 minutes 14 seconds
- Significance: Cultural lead-up to the Danjiang Bridge opening in 2026
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