Jiufen Red Lantern Festival lights up Taiwan's mountainside town with Pili Glove Puppetry collaboration

New Taipei City's "Jiufen Red Lantern Festival" officially commenced with a lighting ceremony at the Shengping Theater on July 18. The event, which runs for a month, illuminates the mountainside town with a sea of lanterns, showcasing its unique night scenery and cultural charm. This year marks the festival's third iteration and its first collaboration with the renowned Taiwanese glove puppetry IP, "Pili." The partnership blends Jiufen's local mining history, religious beliefs, and mountain landscape with traditional culture and contemporary light art. Visitors can experience immersive lantern displays, including "Glass Wonderland・Blooming Splendor" at Wufankeng Park, inspired by the character Su Huan-chen and his residence, "Glass Wonderland." This installation uses cloud and mist imagery, petal-like light designs, and layered lighting to create a dreamlike atmosphere, complete with a main light show. Another installation, "Love Reflected in Jingshan," at Jingshan Rock, centers on the local Yue Lao (matchmaker deity) belief, using red lanterns to form a heart shape for blessings and romance. The "Golden Light of Jiufen" at a small park on Shuzeng Road features the characters "Jiufen" and local cultural elements, guarded by the image of Yi Ye-shu, symbolizing righteousness and protection. The themed installations will be lit daily from 6 PM to 10 PM. The festival also includes a Japanese lantern zone along Qingbian Road, weekend lantern night tours, a Jinguashi exploration tour, electronic puzzle games, and a stamp collection event for limited-edition Pili Glove Puppetry lanterns and New Taipei Coin discount coupons. Information is available on the New Taipei City Tourism and Travel website, the "New Taipei Travel" Facebook page, and the official New Taipei Travel Instagram.