Planning your year in Taiwan requires understanding the country’s official public holidays, which serve as essential markers for work schedules, travel arrangements, and family celebrations. The government of Taiwan, through the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration and the Ministry of Labor, has officially announced 14 nationwide public holidays for 2026, totaling 120 days off when combined with weekends. This comprehensive guide focuses exclusively on confirmed national holidays recognized throughout Taiwan, consequently ensuring you have accurate information for planning ahead.
Official Taiwan Public Holidays 2026
The following table lists all confirmed nationwide public holidays in Taiwan for 2026. These dates are regulated by the Labor Standards Act and apply across all sectors, with the exception of Labor Day which applies primarily to private sector employees.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | Republic Day (New Year’s Day) |
| February 14-22 | Sat-Sun | Lunar New Year Holiday (9 days) |
| February 27-28 | Fri-Sat | Peace Memorial Day |
| April 3-6 | Fri-Mon | Tomb Sweeping Day & Children’s Day |
| May 1 | Friday | Labor Day |
| June 19 | Friday | Dragon Boat Festival |
| September 25 | Friday | Mid-Autumn Festival |
| September 28 | Monday | Teachers’ Day |
| October 9-10 | Fri-Sat | Double Ten National Day |
| October 26 | Monday | Taiwan Retrocession Day |
| December 25 | Friday | Constitution Day |
Understanding Taiwan’s Public Holiday System
Taiwan’s public holiday framework is established through the Labor Standards Act and its related Enforcement Rules, which are overseen by the Ministry of Labor. Meanwhile, the Central Personnel Administration in Taipei regulates all non-working national holidays for government agencies and schools. However, it’s important to note that the government reserves the right to declare emergency holidays, particularly during typhoon strikes or other natural disasters, although these are temporary and cannot be predicted in advance.
Many of Taiwan’s holidays are multi-day events that follow the lunar calendar, which means their Gregorian calendar dates vary from year to year. On the other hand, some holidays have fixed dates. The government typically announces make-up workdays when holidays fall adjacent to weekends, thereby creating extended breaks while maintaining the total number of working days throughout the year.
Key Holiday Periods and Long Weekends in 2026
Taiwan will enjoy nine extended holiday periods in 2026, offering excellent opportunities for travel and family gatherings. The most significant break is the Lunar New Year holiday, spanning nine consecutive days from February 14-22. This extended vacation is Taiwan’s longest holiday period, consequently making it the peak travel season both domestically and internationally.
Other notable long weekends include a four-day break for Tomb Sweeping Festival and Children’s Day (April 3-6), and another four-day weekend combining Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers’ Day (September 25-28). Additionally, three-day weekends occur for Peace Memorial Day (February 27-March 1), Labor Day (May 1-3), Dragon Boat Festival (June 19-21), Double Ten National Day (October 9-11), Taiwan Retrocession Day (October 24-26), and Constitution Day (December 25-27).
One important consideration for planning: since January 1, 2026 falls on a Thursday, there will be no additional day off to create a four-day New Year vacation under current arrangements. Therefore, workers will return to the office on Friday, January 2.
Practical Tips for Planning Around Taiwan Holidays
When scheduling important events or travel in Taiwan, it’s crucial to consider these public holidays carefully. The Lunar New Year period sees significant domestic and international travel, with transportation networks operating at maximum capacity. Booking accommodations and tickets 3-6 months in advance is highly recommended for this peak period. Furthermore, many businesses, particularly small shops and traditional markets, close during the first few days of Lunar New Year, although major shopping centers and tourist attractions in cities like Taipei typically remain open.
Labor Day on May 1 deserves special attention, as it applies primarily to private sector employees rather than government workers. If you’re planning business meetings or government-related appointments, verify whether your contacts observe this holiday. Moreover, when comparing Taiwan’s schedules with international partners, you can use reliable time comparison tools to check different time zones worldwide, ensuring you schedule calls and meetings at mutually convenient times.
For daily productivity around these holidays, utilizing timer tools such as 5, 10, or 15-minute timers can help you maintain efficiency during the busy periods before extended breaks. These tools are particularly useful when managing end-of-quarter deadlines that often coincide with major holiday periods.
Cultural Significance of Major Holidays
Each of Taiwan’s public holidays carries deep cultural and historical significance. The Lunar New Year represents the most important traditional celebration, emphasizing family reunion, honoring ancestors, and welcoming prosperity. Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan through dragon boat races and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). Mid-Autumn Festival centers on moon viewing and sharing mooncakes with loved ones, symbolizing unity and harmony.
Taiwan’s national holidays also reflect the country’s political history. Double Ten National Day on October 10 celebrates the founding of the Republic of China in 1911. Peace Memorial Day on February 28 commemorates the victims of the 228 Incident of 1947. Taiwan Retrocession Day marks the island’s return to Chinese control after Japanese colonial rule, while Constitution Day celebrates the adoption of the ROC Constitution.
How These Holidays Affect Business and Travel
Understanding Taiwan’s holiday calendar is essential for both business operations and personal travel planning. Government offices, banks, and many businesses close on all national holidays. However, retail establishments in major tourist areas, convenience stores (which are ubiquitous throughout Taiwan), and most restaurants remain open, especially during peak tourism periods.
Transportation services continue operating during holidays, though with significantly increased demand during major breaks like Lunar New Year. Taiwan’s excellent public transportation system, including the high-speed rail and metro systems, maintains regular schedules but experiences heavy passenger loads. International flights to and from Taiwan also see peak pricing during these periods, particularly around Lunar New Year. Consequently, travelers should book well in advance and expect premium rates during these popular travel windows.
For more detailed information about planning your schedule around these holidays, visit our comprehensive guides section, which provides additional tips for time management and scheduling.
Make-Up Workdays and Holiday Adjustments
Taiwan employs a unique system of make-up workdays to create extended holiday periods. When holidays fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays, the government may designate the preceding Saturday or following Monday as a holiday, with a corresponding Saturday being declared a make-up workday. This system helps consolidate days off while maintaining the total annual working days as mandated by labor law.
For 2026, specific make-up days will be announced by the government as we get closer to each holiday period. Workers should pay attention to official announcements from the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration regarding these adjustments. On the other hand, this system generally creates more convenient long weekends rather than isolated single days off, thereby enhancing opportunities for meaningful breaks.
Regional Holidays and Excluded Observances
This guide exclusively covers nationwide public holidays recognized throughout Taiwan. It’s important to note that numerous observances and cultural celebrations occur throughout the year that are not official public holidays. These include festivals like Lantern Festival, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and various religious observances. While these occasions are culturally significant, they do not result in official time off from work.
Additionally, some sectors may observe specific holidays not applicable to the general workforce. For instance, teachers may have different schedules around certain educational observances. Indigenous communities in Taiwan also celebrate traditional festivals specific to their cultures, which may be observed locally but are not national holidays. Therefore, when planning events in specific regions, it’s advisable to check for any local observances that might affect your plans.
Staying Updated on Holiday Changes
While the holidays listed here are officially confirmed for 2026, the Taiwanese government reserves the right to make adjustments. Such changes are rare but can occur for significant reasons, including natural disasters or special national events. The most reliable source for official holiday information is the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration’s website.
Emergency holidays, particularly typhoon days, are announced with short notice based on weather conditions and safety assessments. These are not predictable and are declared on a case-by-case basis. When typhoons approach Taiwan, local governments have the authority to declare temporary closures of schools and businesses to ensure public safety. However, these cannot be listed in advance and should not be confused with the regular annual public holidays covered in this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are recognized nationwide in Taiwan for 2026?
Taiwan recognizes 14 official nationwide public holidays in 2026. These include Republic Day (January 1), the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday (February 14-22), Peace Memorial Day (February 27-28), Tomb Sweeping Day and Children’s Day (April 3-6), Labor Day (May 1), Dragon Boat Festival (June 19), Mid-Autumn Festival (September 25), Teachers’ Day (September 28), Double Ten National Day (October 9-10), Taiwan Retrocession Day (October 26), and Constitution Day (December 25). These dates have been officially confirmed by the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration.
Which holidays create long weekends in 2026?
Taiwan will enjoy nine extended holiday periods in 2026. The longest break is the Lunar New Year spanning nine consecutive days. Other significant long weekends include four-day breaks for Tomb Sweeping Festival (April 3-6) and Mid-Autumn Festival combined with Teachers’ Day (September 25-28). Additionally, there are seven three-day weekends: Peace Memorial Day, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Double Ten National Day, Taiwan Retrocession Day, and Constitution Day. These extended breaks provide excellent opportunities for domestic and international travel, family gatherings, and extended rest periods.
Are any Taiwan public holidays subject to change?
While the holidays listed for 2026 are officially confirmed, minor adjustments to make-up workdays may occur. The government occasionally designates Saturdays as make-up workdays to create extended holiday periods when holidays fall mid-week. These adjustments are announced officially by the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration. Emergency holidays, such as typhoon days, can be declared with short notice but are not predictable. For the most current information, it’s advisable to check official government sources, particularly as specific holiday dates approach. The core holiday dates themselves rarely change once officially announced.
Does Labor Day apply to all workers in Taiwan?
Labor Day on May 1 primarily applies to private sector employees under the Labor Standards Act. Government workers, civil servants, and employees of public institutions typically do not observe this as a day off, as their holiday schedules are governed by different regulations. If you’re planning business meetings or need to access government services, it’s essential to verify whether your contacts observe Labor Day. This distinction makes May 1 unique among Taiwan’s public holidays, as it does not universally apply to all workers across all sectors.
How far in advance should I book travel during major Taiwan holidays?
For major holiday periods, especially Lunar New Year (February 14-22), booking 3-6 months in advance is strongly recommended. This applies to both domestic and international travel, as Taiwan experiences peak travel demand during these periods. Transportation tickets, particularly for high-speed rail and popular flight routes, sell out quickly. Hotel accommodations in popular tourist destinations also reach full capacity and premium pricing. Other significant travel periods include the four-day breaks in April and September. Early planning ensures better availability and more competitive pricing, while last-minute bookings during these peak periods may result in limited options and significantly higher costs.
Ready to plan your schedule? Bookmark this guide and return to our homepage for more helpful time management resources. For additional scheduling tips and time zone comparisons, explore our complete collection of planning guides to make the most of your year in Taiwan.