New Year’s Eve in Taipei: Revelers Eye Future After Year of Uncertainty

REPORTER:  

Midnight, New Year's Eve in Taipei. 101 again lights up the sky.

Hundreds of thousands of revelers poured into Taipei’s eastern Xinyi District to see the annual fireworks show kicking off 2026. It’s a familiar spectacle – but this time follows a turbulent end to the year, marked by a rare deadly stabbing attack and major Chinese military drills around Taiwan.

During the New Year's Eve celebrations this year, there's definitely increased security personnel and patrols. The security situation is definitely more vigilant.

Reveler:  

The government seems to have took straight away extra precautions, with all the police and the metro trainings. So I feel safer here than I do in Europe. There might be fewer people tonight because it's raining. But, I don't think the recent attack will affect turnout.

REPORTER:  

Over 1,300 police came out — including 27 SWAT teams and even 2 bomb-detection dogs. A stark reminder that security is at the top of many peoples’ minds.

Bryn Thomas (TAIWANPLUS REPORTER):  

But neither that nor the dreary weather seems to have kept people indoors tonight. About half a kilometer away from Taipei 101, people are celebrating, ushering in a new year and looking for good luck and good times ahead.

Reveler:  

For me 2025 was already a wonderful year, so looking for to 2026 its all going to be about my health, and staying together with my family.

Revelers:  

I want to be more rich, more beautiful and more healthy. Ahahhaha  

We want to make big money.  

Make big money.  

Make big money.  

Make lots of money.  

Stocks go to the moon.  

REPORTER:  

These sentiments shared by many around Taipei on New Year’s Eve. A sign that faith in police — and in each other — remains strong as the country moves into 2026.

Leon Lien and Bryn Thomas, wishing you a happy new year, for TaiwanPlus.