National Day is just weeks away, and for the first time in 20 years, the annual fireworks extravaganza is back in Kaohsiung. Hundreds of fireworks will light up Kaohsiung Harbor in a display visible from across the port city. Mayor Chen Chi-mai stressed that the event will be held with stringent health measures in place, to prevent any spread of COVID.

Majestic tunes swell as fireworks light up the sky above Kaohsiung Harbor.

Next month, the National Day fireworks show will return to Kaohsiung for the first time in 20 years. The National Day evening celebrations will be at Kaohsiung Harbor, where seven pontoons will carry over 100 12- and 16-inch rockets spread out over three kilometers. A live symphony orchestra will accompany the show.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung mayor
The area of Kaohsiung Harbor is actually very wide and open, so you’ll be able to see the fireworks from several large districts. There’ll be a very special view of the show, especially from districts like Cijin.

But all eyes will be on the COVID safety at such a big event. Real-name registration, as well as distancing zones and crowd control, will all be in place. Entrance will be strictly via booking only, with attendees capped at 20,000, down from 700,000 last year.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung mayor
We will sustain a rolling review of the domestic pandemic situation. Twenty thousand people will be allowed on site, but actually you’ll also be able to see the National Day fireworks from other locations. We must create a COVID-secure firework show.

Critics will be watching out to see whether bringing the National Day dazzle to Kaohsiung can help reinvigorate its tourist economy.