TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – As everyone gears up for the holidays, many are no doubt looking to do a little shopping and have a little fun over the upcoming weeks. For those in the Taipei area, the upcoming week is jammed with plenty of opportunities to do both. Here are some upcoming events for Dec. 14 through Dec. 23.



(Photo from NTCH)

Friday, Dec. 14 there is a single performance of visiting Canadian Jazz Musician and backing group Diana Panton and Trio. The National Concert Hall is hosting her Christmas Concert Performance, which is happening at 7:30 p.m. There are still tickets remaining at a range of prices.



(Photo from Taipei Water Dept.)

The annual Gongguan Christmas Month kicked off Dec. 1, and features a variety of events, light displays and musical performances in one of Taipei’s most popular commercial districts. Taipei Water Park, Road Castle, and Guanguan Waterfront Plaza will all showcase holiday displays from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22.

Over the weekend, Dec. 15-16 at the National Theater Hall, don’t miss the chance see the one act opera “Paradise Interrupted” which is a joint production of National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Lincoln Center, Spoleto Festival USA, and Singapore International Festival of Arts. There is one performance each day at 2:30 p.m.

After visiting the National Theater or Concert Hall this weekend, if you’ve got an itch to party, take a short walk across the street to Revolver, one of Taipei’s most famous, some may say infamous, bars. Revolver is celebrating its eighth year anniversary this weekend Dec. 14 through Dec. 15 and is having live music performances both nights.

Fans of techno music, anime, and video games may be interested in attending Rayarkcon 2018 happening Saturday, Dec. 15, at the AI Nightclub. An exhibition and show floor featuring games demos, Esports competitions, and merch booths in the afternoon will gradually become a party by the evening. Check the official Rayarkcon page for more info.

For those interested in browsing or collecting obscure, niche, odd and otherwise unique magazines from independent publishers from around the world, check out a special magazine market on Saturday, Dec. 15 hosted by Multi-Arts瑪蒂雅, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Check out the event's Facebook page for more info.



(Photo from the "Take or Leave" market FB page)

The White Elephant Group is hosting a free “Take or Leave” market event on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Da’an Forest Park. People are welcome to bring second hand or unused goods, and offer them to others that might have use of them. Bartering or just giving things away is encouraged. Come to browse or trade, and take what you like. Whether taking items or leaving them, people are asked to limit their loads to ten items only.

The indoor Taipei Flea Market 2018 is also happening this weekend, Dec. 14 through Dec. 16 at the warehouses of the Songshan Culture and Creative Park between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. each day. Entry is free.



(Photo from Guling Street Books and creative Bazaar)

Another market happening over the weekend, Dec. 15-16 is the Guling Street Books and Creative Bazaar. The event includes a huge book fair of independent publishers, as well as four mini museum exhibits, vendors of many other creative products, and some DIY workshops. Event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, check the Facebook event page for more info.

Also happening this weekend is another market specializing in printed goods, stationary, along with other paper and cloth products at RETRO印刷JAM. Come out to Datong District on Saturday of Sunday, Dec. 15-16, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m. to check out a huge variety of different vendor stalls.



(Photo from Maison Temps Reves)

An exhibition by independent book sellers and artists is taking place in Taipei’s Guting district over the month of December. The exhibition includes four international publishers, Tralari from Spain, Bruaá from Portugal, Bandal from Korea, and Victionary from Hong Kong, as well as prints from independent European artists. Visit the STORY and ART (世界很大) Facebook event page for more information.

The Grand Finale of the 2018 Rock the Mic competition is happening Saturday, Dec. 15 at Timekiller in Gongguan. Taipei locals as well as performers from other cities are coming to take part in the third round of the competition, which will see one lucky winner take home a cash prize. Join the party for a fun, friendly night of hip-hop in Taipei.

For a taste of Mexican culture in Taipei, check out the MAJI Fiesta on Dec. 15, being hosted at MAJI Square near the Yuanshan MRT Station. From 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy excellent Mexican and Caribbean cuisine along with live music. Maji fiesta is a family friendly event organized by Latinos Taiwan. The event is free to the public.

Each Saturday in December with weather permitting, the PS TAPAS Pop up store at Taipei City Hall will be hosting a relaxing day of food and music outdoors. Swing by to enjoy music from DJ’s, and have a quick bite or drinks with friends. Entry to the outdoor “SUNSET CHILL OUT PROJECT” is NT$350, and includes one free drink.

The Taipei Biennial 2018, which began in mid-November, is still going on and will run until March, 2019. Hosted by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Goethe-Institut Taipei, this year’s theme is “Post Nature: the Museum as an Ecosystem.”

On Saturday, Dec. 22, the National Symphony Orchestra will be performing one of their spectacular Chamber Concerts. The NSO will have a single performance at 7:30p.m. of “Strolling in the Musical Sky” tickets are still available at NT$400.

Next weekend, Dec. 20 through Dec. 23, an experiential art exhibit called “Stay Awake” (保持清醒), which seems a lot like a haunted house from the poster and description, is happening in Taipei’s Zhongshan District. The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00p.m. each evening, and costs NT$650 to enter.

On Saturday, Dec. 22, a Winter Solstice Festival featuring live music and food vendors is happening in the heart of Taipei, Wanhua District. Check out local community performances as well as Sorry Youth, the Muddy Basin Ramblers and singer-songwriter Chen Ming Chang.



(Photo from Brass Monkey)

Brass Monkey on Fuxing North Road will be having their annual Brass Monkey Xmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 22. starting from 10:00p.m., but feel free to come early for dinner. The party will include DJs, drink specials, Christmas cheer, and of course the traditional Christmas Sexy Santa Competition. Entry is free for anyone dressed like Santa Claus.

Lastly, if you still haven’t finished all your holiday shopping by next weekend, then consider the Christmas Market hosted by Monkey Monday as a good last minute option. The “Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Market” will take place 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Dec. 23.

Regular Hangouts

If you want to put your English to use and enjoy an open forum to discuss different topics and hear presentations in English, check out the iEnglish Club English Gathering every Saturday.

If you're looking for a family friendly group to practice your English or your Chinese, consider checking out events with Language Exchange Taipei. They are having a free language exchange on Sunday afternoon at Lifehouse Taipei.

The LEIT Language Exchange group regularly hosts a huge number of activities. Check their events page for friendly hangouts and language exchange opportunities.

For the reminder of 2018, Taiwan's Bobwundaye bar on Heping Rd. in the Da'An District will be hosting Wednesday Open Mic Nights for anyone who wants to share a little bit of their musical or artistic talent with an audience. The floor is opened for performances beginning at 10:00 p.m.

Everyone’s favorite Irish bar in Gongguan near NTU, James Joyce, is also hosting live music every weekend.

If you have a love of Indian food and culture, then you can always stop by the Mayur Indian Kitchen location on Songjiang Road, where they have regular dance performances or Indian music for dining customers on Saturday nights.

For those new to Taipei, or those who have been here a while but still haven't seen all the city has to offer, consider taking a walking tour with "Like it Formosa." Tours happen regularly every week, with four different types of tours to choose from, depending on what you want to see.

And depending on your interests, check this list of meet up groups regularly to see if there is anything up your alley.