MEANDER Group

Top Event in Taipei This December 2026

Taipei in December 2026: Mr.Children, a Six-Night Hebe Run, Christmas Lights and the Taipei 101 Countdown

December is Taipei's busiest month for big nights out. Japanese rock legends Mr.Children close their tour at Taipei Arena, Hebe Tien plays six nights in the same venue, the Taipei Marathon takes over the streets, Christmas lights go up from Xinyi to Banqiao, and the year ends with Taipei 101 fireworks. Here is what to plan around if you are in Taipei between December 1 and 31, 2026.

1. Concerts: Mr.Children, Hebe Tien and more

Mr.Children Tour 2026 "Saturday in the park"

Date: Saturday, Dec 26 (show 17:00) and Sunday, Dec 27 (show 16:00).

Price: NT$800–7,000.

Location: Taipei Arena (MRT Taipei Arena station).

Hebe Tien 《要去什麼地方》 2026

Date: Dec 12, 13, 15, 18, 19 and 20 (six shows).

Price: NT$800–5,200.

Location: Taipei Arena.

Scale

About 20,000 tickets for Mr.Children's two nights Taipei is the final stop of the tour and the band's first Taipei show in seven years. Hebe's six-night residency draws Mandopop fans from Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and beyond.

What it brings to you

One of Japan's biggest bands playing new album songs and classics, with the full Japan-tour stage production.

A full Mandopop arena production across two weekends.

A Christmas-weekend concert trip that pairs perfectly with the holiday lights.

What this means

Taipei has become the easiest place in Asia to catch both J-pop and Mandopop stars at arena scale. In December, you can do both in one trip.

Notes & Tips

Both shows sell through Ticket Plus with name-verified tickets bring photo ID that matches your ticket.

Mr.Children sold by lottery; watch Ticket Plus and Amuse Taiwan for extra releases.

2. Taipei Marathon 2026

Date: Sunday, December 20, 2026. Full marathon starts 06:30, half marathon around 07:00. Christmas fun run on Saturday, Dec 19.

Price: Registration has closed; spectating is free.

Location: Starts at Taipei City Hall Plaza, finishes at Taipei Stadium.

Scale

An AIMS-listed race with around 28,000 runners in total, including many from Japan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

What it brings to you

A festive race-weekend atmosphere in Xinyi.

A Christmas fun run the day before.

Streets around City Hall and the riverside, closed to cars early Sunday morning.

What this means

If you are running, this is a fast, flat December race in cool weather. If you are not, expect a lively Xinyi on Sunday morning — and plan around the road closures.

Notes & Tips

Take the MRT on race morning; roads around City Hall close.

3. Christmas Lights and Markets

New Taipei Christmasland (Banqiao)

Date: Mid-November to December 27, 2026 (expected).

Price: Free.

Location: Around Banqiao Station, Civic Plaza and Citizen's Square — about 15 minutes from Ximending on the MRT Blue Line.

German Christmas Market

Date: Banqiao Dec 4–6 · Taipei Expo Park Dec 11–13.

Price: Free entry; food and drinks are paid.

Also on: Da'an Forest Park "Love Unlimited" lights (Dec 3 – Jan 1, 5–10 PM) and Xinyi district mall lights (mid-November to New Year's).

What it brings to you

Taiwan's best-known Christmas light show, with a giant themed display, lasers and projection mapping in Banqiao.

Mulled wine, sausages and stollen at the German market.

Light tunnels and themed trees across the Xinyi malls.

What this means

Taiwan does not have a white Christmas, so it builds one out of lights. Banqiao's Christmasland is the one locals travel for, and the cool weather makes evening walks a pleasure.

Notes & Tips

Go on a weekday evening weekend crowds in Banqiao are heavy.

Combine the Taipei Expo Park market (Dec 11–13) with a stroll through nearby Dadaocheng.

4. New Year's Eve: Taipei 101 Fireworks & City Hall Countdown

Date: Thursday, December 31, 2026, roughly 19:00 to 01:00. Fireworks at midnight.

Price: Free.

Location: Taipei City Hall Plaza and Taipei 101, Xinyi District.

Scale

One of Asia's best-known countdowns. Last year Taipei 101 launched over 16,000 fireworks in about six minutes, while tens of thousands filled the plaza.

What it brings to you

A free, all-evening concert with big Taiwanese and international acts.

The Taipei 101 fireworks show, with themed light shows on the tower in the nights before.

MRT service running through the night.

What this means

This is the night the whole city looks at one building. Watching from Elephant Mountain or the plaza is a bucket-list New Year's Eve.

Notes & Tips

Arrive at City Hall Plaza or Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) in the afternoon to secure a spot.

After midnight, walk to a quieter MRT station rather than Taipei 101 or City Hall.

The 2027 line-up is usually announced in mid-to-late December on the city's official New Year's Eve site.

General tips for Taipei in December

Weather: Cool and damp. Highs 18–21°C, lows 13–14°C, frequent drizzle as the northeast monsoon arrives. Pack layers, a light jacket and an umbrella.

Transit: The EasyCard covers MRT, buses, YouBike and convenience stores — top up at 7-Eleven or FamilyMart. No eating or drinking on the MRT.

Peak dates: Dec 12–13 (Hebe opening weekend), Dec 19–20 (Marathon + Hebe), Dec 26–27 (Mr.Children), Dec 30–31 (New Year's Eve). Book rooms early.

Where to stay: Ximending and Taipei Main Station, one MRT line to everything

All three of our Taipei properties sit on or near the MRT Blue (Bannan) Line — direct rides to Taipei City Hall for the countdown and the Marathon start, to Banqiao for Christmasland, and one transfer to Taipei Arena.

MEANDER Taipei (Ximending): A social, walkable base with doubles, triples, quads and dorms. Great for concert groups.
→ See rooms at MEANDER Taipei

MEANDER 1948 (near Taipei Main Station): A restored historic building with red brick and timber, steps from the HSR and Airport MRT.
→ See rooms at MEANDER 1948

Oani (Ximending, 3 minutes from MRT Ximen): A premium urban retreat built around scent, music and light, celebrating its first anniversary this December.
→ See rooms at Oani