Department of Cultural Affairs

Art isn’t just for kids—it’s the purest form of human experience. 

The 26th Taipei Children’s Arts Festival (TCAF), co-hosted by Taipei City Government and Taipei Performing Arts Center, will be held from June 28 through August 2. We invite every-one to embrace the spirit of ‘KIDS MODE ON!’ and immerse themselves in a world of won-der and artistic adventure.

This year’s festival presents nine ticketed productions featuring shadow play, puppetry, music, and theater, along with a wide variety of free programs across all 12 districts of Taipei—including three must-see outdoor performances. Interactive exhibitions and workshops perfect for the whole family will bring art experiences closer than ever before.

For the first time, TCAF is expanding into public kindergartens, where artists will visit young learners with specially curated storytelling sessions. Da'an Park will be the stage for three magical outdoor performances, where families are invited to share the excitement under the summer night sky. Inclusive physical workshops will offer participants a space to connect be-yond words, using movement and imagery to co-create unique stories.

Light and Shadow Adventures: Open the Door to Imagination

This year, the festival features three shadow-themed productions that illuminate creativity in the dark. 

Germany’s Tangram Kollektiv brings the delightfully clever Shades of Shadows, reimagining shadow puppetry through inventive humor and the curious world of a shadow gone rogue. 

Australia’s Patch Theatre presents ZOOOM, inspired by the beloved picture book Harold and the Purple Crayon. Nominated for the Sydney Theatre Award, this dazzling production al-lows young audiences to rediscover the beauty of darkness and imagination through light. 

From the finals of America’s Got Talent, Catapult Entertainment (USA) presents Magic Shadows, a visual spectacle where performers use their bodies to create hundreds of silhou-etted scenes, blending storytelling, illusion, and humor in breathtaking form.

Puppets Tell Stories: From Outer Space to Martial Arts Legends

Puppetry is a magical medium for exploring the feelings and experiences of our time, as well as the stories of the past. Spain’s Xirriquiteula Teatre offers Laika, a moving multimedia re-telling of the Cold War’s first space dog, combining shadow play, objects, and video to re-flect on courage, sacrifice, and memory. 

Taiwan’s Our Theatre (臺灣集藝戲坊) brings HERO, a reimagined classic by puppet master Tien-lu Li. This immersive, mobile production blends martial arts, live music, and sound ef-fects, transporting audiences into a gripping world of honor and heartache.

Classic Reimagined × Poetic Retellings: Turning Stories into Stage Magic

Familiar tales take bold new forms in three surprising stage adaptations. Flying Group Thea-tre’s 1 Home and 2 with a Caterpillar, adapted from a poetic picture book by Taiwanese poet Summer (夏夏), transforms the Bopiliao Historical Block into an immersive, multigenerational journey through puppetry, sound, and installation art. 

4 Goods Studio’s Fairy Tells…, inspired by French playwright Joël Pommerat, fearlessly re-works fairy tales with unexpected twists. Watch out for bad queens and magic mirrors gone rogue in this delightfully subversive theatrical remix.

A Laid-back Summer: The City Becomes Our Stage

This summer, the city becomes one big stage. TCAF invites everyone to enjoy performances with curiosity and laughter. The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra presents Peer Gynt’s Adven-ture, a special “Relaxed Concert” at the Sphere Theater, Taipei Performing Arts Center. Au-diences are free to experience Grieg’s timeless music in a welcoming, stress-free environment that accommodates a range of sensory needs. 

Meanwhile, the “Community on the Move” (前進社區) series brings free performances di-rectly into neighborhoods and features 12 unique programs, including improv comedy, rhythmic storytelling, circus musicals, and fable-inspired puppet shows, all just a few steps from home.

One-Day Art Adventure in Shilin–Jiantan: Move, Explore, Create

Planning a day out with the kids in Shilin or Jiantan this summer? Be sure to stop by the Tai-pei Performing Arts Center for some exciting hands-on experiences! Throughout July, the venue will host vibrant free exhibitions and activities, including the interactive show You Choreograph—Little Choreographers. 

This playful exhibit allows children and families to explore the endless creative potential of their own bodies, turning everyday movements into dance routines and transforming stories through light, objects, and collaborative play.

From finely crafted theatrical performances to joyful encounters in neighborhoods, from in-clusive workshops to immersive exhibitions, the 26th Taipei Children’s Arts Festival brings together a rich variety of programs for all curious hearts. This summer, let’s all embrace the magic of imagination and wonder. KIDS MODE ON! 

For full program details, ticketing, and event registration, visit the Taipei Performing Arts Center website or OPENTIX.