Taipei Travel

TAIPEI #42 (2025 Winter)

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Where to Find the City's Christmas Vibe
Best Places in Taipei to Feel the Holiday Spirit

TEXT & PHOTOS　VISION

Taipei's holiday season differs markedly from that in cool-climate Western countries, but there is much festive cheer to be found. You just need to know where to look to enjoy Christmas trees and decorative lights.



The top place for Christmas decorations in Taipei is the modern Xinyi District. Major department stores there turn pedestrian areas, including the interconnecting skybridges, into a dazzling spectacle of festive lights and installations each year. The display outside Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei Xinyi Place is especially elaborate, including a beautiful 20-meter-tall Christmas tree with snow-white lights and daily music, light, and artificial-snow shows. 

Another prominent spot nearby for marveling at an impressive Christmas tree and other decorations is the Uni-President Department Store. Each year, the store designs a Christmas wonderland with a famous city as theme (Venice, Italy, this year), offering visitors many opportunities for taking photos.



Before Christmas each year, Xinzhongshan Linear Park (between MRT Zhongshan and Shuanglian stations) is transformed into a trendy blend of art and leisure. This long, narrow park becomes a dazzling, light-filled playground. The main draw this year is a large Christmas tree featuring cute characters from the new Disney animated comedy film Zootopia 2. There is also a Zootopia "bus stop," depicting cute animals waiting on a bench. Another popular attraction is the Christmas market.



Before the city's well-known shopping districts, you can spot Christmas trees in other locations as well, including the impressive display at Taipei Main Station. The station's main hall features a 22-meter-high Christmas tree. Illuminated by 60,000 light bulbs, it is Taiwan's tallest indoor Christmas tree. This magnificent centerpiece is uniquely decorated to reflect its setting, including a steam locomotive train and the Taiwan Railway Corp. mascot, together with other cute figures, celebrating the spirit of travel and the station's role as a major transportation hub. Another noteworthy destination is the Taipei Water Park, which each year hosts the Gongguan Christmas Season event, featuring a large Christmas tree and various illumination zones with unique themes based on local fairy tales or historical concepts.



Christmas is a religious festival, local churches are also known for their elaborate decorations. The best location to visit several churches in one go is Xinsheng South Road, also known as "Paradise Road." Along the road, you can check out the Christmas displays of the Grace Baptist Church, Truth Lutheran Church, Holy Family Catholic Church, Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Wesley Methodist Church. Additionally, be sure to take photos of the large Christmas tree at the entrance to Daan Park (Xinsheng South Road and Xinyi Road intersection). The park itself also features Christmas decorations and a live concert (see more on page 4).

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Gongguan Christmas Season | 公館聖誕季
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park | 松山文創園區
Xinzhongshan Linear Park | 心中山線形公園