The Taipei Government yesterday invited the public to join in the Xinyi District New Year's festivities, including dance performances, a concert and the Taipei 101 fireworks show.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to ring in the new year together in the city's business district tonight.
This year's city-sponsored celebrations started yesterday afternoon with a parade and various performances.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Today, pop stars will put on an unforgettable show starting at 7pm and continuing until 1am in front of Taipei City Hall, city officials said.
More than 600,000 people are expected to watch the Taipei 101 fireworks show light up the sky at midnight.
Following the night's festivities, revelers with a bit of get-up-and-go the next day are welcome to join the city's annual flag-raising ceremony and a 3km jog starting in front of Taipei City Hall.
The city government will pass out miniature national flags at the ceremony, which will start at 7am.
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (
As the festivities are expected to attract a large crowd, Taipei City's Department of Traffic will enforce stricter traffic controls in the area around the events and advises the public to take public transportation.
The MRT will operate non-stop on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall will stay open until 1am to cater to the needs of the crowd, officials said in a press release.
Toilet facilities inside the memorial hall can be accessed tonight from the east and west entrances to the building.
The memorial hall's service desk at the west entrance will also be open to provide any necessary assistance to the public, the news release said.
Illuminations on the outside of the memorial hall will stay on until 1:30am.
Additional reporting by Loa Iok-sin
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