Taipei’s Best Lunar New Year Markets in 2026

easyta
7 hours ago
3 min read

In the weeks leading up to Lunar New Year, Taipei transforms into a city of red lanterns, flower displays, and crowded market streets. Locals prepare for the most important holiday of the year by buying decorations, symbolic plants, traditional snacks, and gift boxes for family visits.

If you want to experience the build-up to Lunar New Year in Taipei, visiting a seasonal market is one of the most colorful and memorable things you can do. For an overview of celebrations, events, and travel tips, check out our complete guide to Lunar New Year 2026 in Taipei before planning your market visits.

Dihua Street. Crowded market stall with people browsing colorful goods. Red lanterns and decorations hang above. Brightly lit, festive atmosphere. — **Dihua Street during Lunar New Year** *by Michael Rehfeldt via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0*

🏮 Dihua Street Lunar New Year Market

📅 31 January – 15 February 2026

Dihua Street is the heart of Taipei’s traditional New Year shopping scene. Located in the historic Dadaocheng district, this long, narrow street fills with temporary stalls selling everything from dried fruits and candies to decorative banners and lucky charms.

During the market period, the entire neighborhood feels festive. Red lanterns hang overhead, temples such as Xia-Hai City God Temple glow with incense and offerings, and the occasional crack of firecrackers adds to the holiday mood. It’s busy, noisy, and wonderfully atmospheric.

Beyond the market stalls, Dihua Street is also known for its preserved baroque-style architecture, traditional Chinese medicine shops, tea merchants, and — more recently — stylish cafés and craft beer spots. You can easily spend a few hours wandering, snacking, and taking photos.

💡 Tip: Pair your visit with a nearby temple stop to see New Year worshippers in action — it’s one of the best ways to experience local traditions.

📍Location: Datong District, 7-min walk from Beimen MRT Station (Green Line)

🌸 Jianguo Holiday Flower Market

📅 7 February - 16 February 2026

Normally a weekend market, the Jianguo Jade & Flower Market expands its schedule before Lunar New Year and opens daily in the run-up to the holiday. This is where many Taipei residents come to buy flowers and plants believed to bring luck, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year.

Expect to see stalls overflowing with peonies, orchids, kumquat trees, and bright seasonal blooms. Vendors also sell red decorations, hanging ornaments, and small New Year trinkets perfect for gifts or souvenirs.

The atmosphere here feels more local and less touristy than Dihua Street, but it’s just as lively — especially in the days right before New Year’s Eve.

📍Location: Daan District, 5-min walk from Daan Forest Park MRT Station (Red Line)

Nanmen Market. People browse food stalls in a vibrant indoor market, with colorful decorations and signs. Warm lighting creates a lively, inviting atmosphere. — **Nanmen Market** *by台北市政府 via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC*

🧧 Nanmen Market (Near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall)

Nanmen Market is a long-established favorite among Taipei residents looking for high-quality traditional foods. In the weeks before Lunar New Year, it becomes a hotspot for holiday specialties such as cured meats, festive sweets, sauces, and ingredients used in reunion dinners.

After a major renovation, the market has reopened with more space and modern facilities, but it still retains the feel of a classic Taiwanese food market. It gets extremely busy before the holiday, which only adds to the sense that something special is coming.

This is an excellent place to see what actually ends up on Taiwanese family tables during the New Year celebrations.

📍Location: Zhongzheng District, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall MRT Station (Green & Red Lines)

Make the Most of Lunar New Year in Taipei

Visiting these markets gives you a glimpse into how locals prepare for the holiday — from decorating homes to stocking up on symbolic foods and flowers. Even if you don’t plan to shop, the colors, smells, and energy make these markets worth experiencing.

You can easily combine a market visit with other seasonal activities. After exploring the stalls, consider catching a lion dance performance or visiting one of Taipei’s busy New Year temples to see ceremonies and worshippers in action.