The Taipei 101 fireworks last about five minutes. Getting a good spot and getting home afterward can take all night.

This year, there's an easier way: a limited number of places on a terrace right beside the tower, no early queuing required.

Planning it yourself, or hoping to avoid the city crowds entirely? This guide covers the practical side of New Year's Eve in Taipei, plus three places to greet the first sunrise of 2027.

What Happens on New Year's Eve in Taipei

The fireworks start at exactly midnight and last five to six minutes, launched from the sides of Taipei 101 alongside a light show on the tower.

Before that, a free countdown concert runs on Taipei City Hall Plaza from early evening until about 1 am.

Two things shape the night more than the show itself: road closures and the weather. Roads around the tower start closing from 7 pm, and by 10 pm the whole district is car-free until 3 am. Evenings are usually 14 to 18°C, often with drizzle, so bring a layer.

Where to Watch the Taipei 101 Fireworks

Every spot offers a different mix of atmosphere, comfort, and how easily you can leave. Pick the one that matches the night you want.

For the Atmosphere: Taipei City Hall Plaza

(NYE at Taipei City Hall © 2026 Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government.)

The plaza sits right in front of the tower, with the concert stage and the big-screen countdown. Crowds start settling in from around 8 pm, and once you are in place, moving around is difficult.

The clear view continues west to the plaza at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, a little further back. Skip the streets of the Xinyi shopping district, though: the malls there block much of the tower.

For the Postcard View: Elephant Mountain

(Photographer's Platform on Elephant Mountain ©Geotechnical Engineering Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government)

This is the classic view of the fireworks over the city, which is exactly why it is so popular. The trail is a steep staircase that is dimly lit at night and slippery after rain.

The viewing platforms are also small. On a busy night, many hikers never reach them and end up watching from the trail, where trees can block part of the view. Tiger Mountain, next door, offers a slightly lower and more distant view with far fewer people.

For an Easy Exit: The Riverside Parks

(Rainbow Riverside Park © 2026 Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government. )

Rainbow and Meiti Riverside Parks along the Keelung River have open lawns and plenty of space to sit. The view is more distant, but leaving afterward is far easier than in Xinyi.

For No Waiting at All: The WILDWOOD Terrace

WILDWOOD is a restaurant terrace right beside Taipei 101, and one of the city's most sought-after places to see in the new year. We chose it for two reasons.

First, the view: you look straight up at the tower, close enough to feel every burst.
Second, the wind. In winter, the northeast monsoon pushes the smoke southwest, and the terrace sits on the upwind side, so the smoke tends to drift away from you rather than across the show.

Our New Year's Eve experience starts with a guided afternoon tour at the National Palace Museum and Taipei 101 Observatory, then brings you onto the terrace at 9:30 pm, while others are still looking for space.

For USD 200 per person, it includes your terrace ticket with a drink, private transport, entry to the National Palace Museum and Taipei 101 Observatory with a local guide, and an escort to the party. Book by November 30 for 10% off (USD 180). Places are limited.

Getting Home After Midnight

The MRT runs non-stop for 42 hours over New Year's Eve. The catch is the two stations closest to the tower, Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101/World Trade Center, which have the longest queues, and some of their exits close from around 10 pm.

On the red line, head to Xiangshan or the new Guangci/Fengtian Temple station, which opened in 2026 as the line’s eastern terminus, so trains leave it empty. On the blue line, try Yongchun. If you don’t mind a longer walk, Taipei Arena or Songshan on the green line are quieter still. Taxis cannot enter the area until about 3 am.

Mobile networks slow down badly around midnight, so agree on a meeting point before the countdown.

Hoping to catch the first sunrise too? The north coast is about an hour's drive from Taipei, but sunrise there is around 6:40 am, after hours of standing in the cold. Unless you're happy to stay up all night, the more comfortable plan is a few hours' sleep at your hotel, then a pre-dawn pickup with a professional driver. After a night like this, please don't drive yourself. Ask us about a sunrise transfer

Bonus: Greet the First Sunrise Instead

Watching the first sunrise of the year is a much-loved New Year tradition in Taiwan. If crowds aren't your thing, these three places swap the fireworks for a quieter start to 2027.

Alishan: Above the Sea of Clouds

Taiwan's most famous sunrise spot, at around 2,200 meters. On New Year's morning, a live concert plays as the first light rises over the Yushan range.

Sunrise trains leave in the small hours, tickets go fast in mid-December, and it gets close to freezing before dawn. Our Alishan sunrise journey can be timed to New Year's Day. 

Sun Moon Lake: Countdown and Sunrise in One Place

Fireworks over the lake at midnight, then a short drive to Jinlong Mountain for the sunrise the next morning. It is the most relaxed option, and the easiest with children or older parents. Explore our Sun Moon Lake tours. 

The Taitung Coast: First Light Over the Pacific

On the east coast, the new year rises straight out of the ocean. Sanxiantai, a small island linked to the shore by an eight-arched footbridge, is one of the best places to watch it, with a fraction of Taipei's crowds. See our East Coast tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do the Taipei 101 fireworks start?

At exactly midnight on December 31. The show lasts five to six minutes.

How early should I arrive?

For Taipei City Hall Plaza, by around 8pm, when the crowds start settling in. For Elephant Mountain, earlier still, as the viewing platforms fill long before midnight.

What's the easiest way to watch the Taipei 101 fireworks?

Book a ticketed spot so you don't have to queue for hours. Our New Year's Eve experience pairs a guided afternoon in Taipei with a place on the WILDWOOD terrace beside the tower, with 10% off when you book by November 30. Reserve your place.

Do I need to book anything in advance?

Only if you want a ticketed spot. Rooftop bars, countdown parties, and hotel rooms facing Taipei 101 often sell out weeks or months ahead, and restaurants in Xinyi are fully booked on the night.

Is January 1 a holiday in Taiwan?

Yes. In 2027, it falls on a Friday, creating a three-day weekend. Trains and hotels in popular destinations fill up fast, so book early.

Can I see the fireworks and the first sunrise on the same night?

It's possible in northern Taiwan, but plan for the stamina it takes. The north coast is about an hour's drive from Taipei, and sunrise is around 6:40am. A few hours' sleep after the fireworks, followed by a pre-dawn pickup with a professional driver, is safer and far more comfortable than driving yourself through the night.

Is it worth it with kids or older travelers?

It can be, if you skip the busiest spots. A ticketed terrace or a riverside park, plus a planned way home, makes the night much more comfortable.

Plan Your New Year in Taiwan

New Year is one of the busiest weeks of the year for trains and hotels in Taiwan. Whether you want to be beside Taipei 101 at midnight or on a mountain at dawn, the earlier you plan, the more options you'll have. 

Book your exclusive New Year's Eve experience and save 10% until November 30!

Want to welcome the new year beyond Taipei? Plan a custom New Year's trip!