Tips · Taiwan
Taipei at Year-End: What to Prepare for the Trip
Late Dec to early Jan in Taipei: December and January normals, what to wear, official year-end events, weekday checks, transport, budget, checklist.
Published
Short answer: mild weather and a string of year-end events
The Taipei guide names October–December as one of the best times to visit, mild and relatively dry, and describes January–February as cool and damp. Late December to early January sits where these two periods meet, so pack a light jacket and layers for the dates you travel.
Christmas lights and a New Year countdown take place in the city, though some event dates have not been announced yet. Three to four days are enough. This post covers year-end preparation only; getting in from the airport and the full day-by-day route are in the posts below.
December and January normals side by side
These are rounded 1991–2020 normals from the Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taiwan, Taipei station.
December has highs of about 21°C and lows of about 16°C; January is a little cooler, with highs of about 19°C and lows of about 14°C. Monthly rainfall is about 89mm in December and about 91mm in January, both below the 12-month average (about 194mm). Actual weather varies from year to year, so check the forecast just before you leave.
- December: high about 21°C / low about 16°C / rain about 89mm
- January: high about 19°C / low about 14°C / rain about 91mm
What to wear: a light jacket and layers
With daytime highs of about 19–21°C, a long-sleeved top or thin knit is enough at midday, but nights drop to about 14–16°C, so bring a light jacket or windbreaker. The guide describes January–February as cool and damp, so add one more layer if you stay into early January.
Monthly rainfall is about 89–91mm, so keep a small folding umbrella in your bag. The Elephant Mountain viewpoint is a 20–30 minute stair climb, and you may stand for a long time at evening events or night markets, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Daytime: a long-sleeved top or thin knit
- Evening: a light jacket or windbreaker, plus one more layer in early January
- A small folding umbrella and comfortable walking shoes
Official year-end events: Christmas lights and the countdown
This list follows the 2026 event calendar on Taipei City's official travel site (travel.taipei), checked on 14 October 2026. Event names are the official English titles. Schedules can change, so check the official site again before you go.
According to the official site, hundreds of thousands of people celebrate at the New Year's Eve party. The Xinyi area around City Hall and Taipei 101 can be very crowded that night, and Xinyi is a pricier area to stay. Check official information before you go on MRT service on the night of 31 December and on opening hours of sights and shops on 1 January.
- 2026 Taipei Christmas Infinite Love: 3 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, along Sec. 1-3 of Xinsheng S. Rd. and in Daan Park, with Christmas illuminations and Christmas concerts
- 2026 Gongguan Christmas Season: 5 December 2026 to 31 December 2026 at Taipei Water Park (Zhongzheng District), with lights at night and floral displays and performances by day
- 2026 TaipeiXmas: five large Christmas installations around City Hall and department-store lighting; dates are announced by the official site, so check before you go
- Taipei New Year's Party 2027: at Taipei City Hall and its surrounding square, six hours of performances on the evening of 31 December, with the Taipei 101 fireworks show at the countdown. The official calendar still lists it as "Date TBD", so check before you go
A year-end 4-day flow and weekday checks
Use the guide's itinerary as the base: Day 1 Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple and Ximending, then Elephant Mountain at sunset; Day 2 National Palace Museum, Beitou Hot Springs and Shilin Night Market; Day 3 a sky lantern in Shifen, then Jiufen in the evening; Day 4 Zhongshan cafes, Taipei 101 and Xinyi, then Ningxia Night Market. The 4-day post below has the full route.
At year-end, adjust it like this: if you plan to join the countdown, move the Taipei 101 and Xinyi day to 31 December and keep the day trip for another date. Beitou Hot Springs fits well on a cool day.
- National Palace Museum: 09:00–17:00 Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays (with some exceptions; check official information); allow at least 2–3 hours
- Beitou Thermal Valley: closed on Mondays
- Jiufen: very crowded at weekends, so go on a weekday
- Shilin Night Market: liveliest after 6 pm
- Opening on 1 January: check official information before you go
Getting around and budget
From Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), the Airport MRT reaches Taipei Main Station in about 35–40 minutes for about NT$150-160. Songshan Airport (TSA) is right in the city, about 10–20 minutes by the brown Wenhu MRT line.
The MRT covers most sights, and one EasyCard works on the MRT, buses and YouBike. Eating and drinking, even water or gum, is banned in MRT stations and on trains, and fines apply. Jiufen and Shifen are reached by bus or train via Ruifang; Beitou and Tamsui are on the MRT. Yellow taxis are plentiful, and a ride-hailing app also works.
Daily budgets per person are below. Night markets and small eateries are often cash only, so carry enough Taiwan dollars. According to Taiwan's Tourism Administration survey (2025), international visitors spent an average of US$185.14 per person per day in Taiwan (national average for all of Taiwan, excluding international airfare). Actual costs vary widely with your itinerary and accommodation.
- Budget: about NT$1,500-2,000 per day (hostel, night markets, MRT)
- Mid-range: about NT$3,500-4,500 per day (3-4 star hotel, restaurant meals)
- Comfortable: about NT$8,000+ per day (luxury hotel, fine dining)
Checklist before you go
Check entry steps, including the online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), on the National Immigration Agency's official information before you travel. According to the guide, many shops close for Lunar New Year, so if your trip runs later into the new year, check that date on official information too.
- A light jacket, layers and a small folding umbrella
- Re-check TaipeiXmas and New Year's Party dates on the official site
- Check MRT service on the night of 31 December and opening hours on 1 January
- Plan around Monday closures (National Palace Museum, Thermal Valley)
- Taiwan dollar cash and an EasyCard
- Check entry steps such as TWAC officially, and the forecast just before you leave
Plan your Taipei trip
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FAQ
Is Taipei cold in late December?
On average, December highs are about 21°C and lows about 16°C; January is about 19°C and about 14°C. A long-sleeved top is enough by day, but bring a light jacket for the evening.
Where is the New Year countdown?
Taipei New Year's Party 2027 takes place at Taipei City Hall and its surrounding square, with the Taipei 101 fireworks show at the countdown. The official calendar still shows the date as TBD and hundreds of thousands attend, so check the schedule and MRT service on 31 December before you go.
When can I see the Christmas lights?
According to the official site, 2026 Taipei Christmas Infinite Love runs from 3 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, and 2026 Gongguan Christmas Season from 5 December 2026 to 31 December 2026. Dates for 2026 TaipeiXmas are announced by the official site, so check before you go.
Are sights open on 1 January?
Check official information before you go for 1 January opening. The National Palace Museum is closed on Mondays (with some exceptions) and Beitou Thermal Valley is also closed on Mondays, so check the weekday too.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Thermal Valley, Beitou Hot Springs · Yu tptw / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building · Eavesdropper6735 / CC BY 4.0