The "2026 Dadaocheng Summer Festival," a landmark summer event across Taiwan, grandly opened on the evening of July 25th at Dadaocheng Pier and Yanping Riverside Park, attracting nearly 120,000 visitors to Dadaocheng to enjoy fireworks, a drone light show, and exciting musical performances. This year's event combined innovative technology, urban imagery, and street culture to bring the public a refreshing summer night experience, once again showcasing the Dadaocheng Summer Festival's significant appeal as a Taipei tourism brand.
Deputy Mayor Lee Tai-hsing stated, "I'm delighted everyone came to participate in the Dadaocheng Summer Festival today. This is an important landmark event for Taipei City. This year, in addition to the spectacular drone performance, the fireworks display has been extended to eight minutes. I hope everyone goes home satisfied and happy."
The Department of Information and Tourism added that tonight's event featured a drone light show for the first time, creating a visual feast for the night sky. The performance was divided into two main chapters. The first half focused on Taipei's urban imagery, with Taipei's mascot, Xiong Zan, leading the audience on a tour of city landmarks such as Maokong, the Taipei Arena, and the Taipei Performing Arts Center. The second half featured the internationally popular IP "Spider-Man," combining his signature web-shooting moves, spider webs, and a Taipei-exclusive "bubble tea" surprise, along with a movie end credits song and fireworks display, showcasing the innovative charm of Taipei's urban imagery, international IP, and technological art.
Today's themed fireworks were also upgraded, transforming the Taipei night sky into an immersive light and shadow stage. Special fireworks such as "Colorful Waterfall Galaxy" and "Large Silver Crown Weeping Willow" bloomed one after another, their dazzling light and shadow reflected on the Tamsui River, resembling a dreamlike galaxy. Besides the spectacular night sky show, the "Tingguang Evening" music performance also attracted crowds, complemented by a 9-meter-tall Spider-Man mascot at Dadaocheng Pier, waterfront lighting, and limited-edition street installations, creating a vibrant summer atmosphere. During the event, pedestrian traffic signs around Dadaocheng Pier also featured limited-edition Spider-Man and Xiong Zan designs, allowing pedestrians to discover these hidden gems while crossing the street, adding to the fun.
The Department of Information and Tourism introduced that this year, they have partnered with over 70 hotels in Taipei to offer accommodation discounts. For example, the Regent Taipei Hotel offers a complimentary "Inula" screen printing workshop, a "CNN-recommended Taipei must-try buffet breakfast," and coffee. The Caesar Park Hotel Taipei offers a complimentary "Li Ting-hsiang Classic Dessert Box" and a "Li Ting-hsiang Dadaocheng Branch Peace Turtle Hand-knocking Experience Voucher." Many other hotels offer discounts ranging from 25% to 5% depending on the number of nights booked. During the Summer Festival, guests staying at Taipei hotels will have the chance to win limited-edition "Dadaocheng Summer Festival Collaboration Viewing Area Tickets," easily securing a first-row seat on the riverbank to enjoy Taipei's dazzling summer night fireworks show.
The Department of Information and Tourism stated that to encourage travelers from central and southern Taiwan to take the High Speed Rail to Taipei to enjoy the "Dadaocheng Summer Festival," booking participating hotels from now on and purchasing High Speed Rail tickets for designated Wednesdays and Thursdays during the promotion period (until August 16th) will entitle them to an 82% discount on tickets. This weekday offer encourages travelers to plan a short trip to Taipei, extend their stay, and explore the city's charm at a leisurely pace. For detailed information, please see the event webpage (link). In addition, this year, a collaboration with the Blue Waterway operator is also underway. Simply add the "Taipei City Government Official LINE Account" to receive a NT$200 Blue Waterway boat ticket voucher (redemption period: July 26th to August 14th; redemption is not available on performance days). Members of the public can redeem tickets at the participating operators' ticket windows on the day of travel or make reservations by phone for designated flights operated by the participating operators. Places are limited, so please act quickly.
The Department of Information and Tourism reminds the public that the "2026 Dadaocheng Summer Festival" will continue until August 15th. There will be themed fireworks shows on August 5th and August 15th, with the grand finale on August 15th featuring a joint "fireworks x drone" performance. The public is invited to plan a short trip to Taipei and experience the charm of Dadaocheng's summer waterfront.