Kaohsiung’s New Year’s Eve plan: Roads shut at 3 p.m., metro runs to 2 a.m. near Dream Mall

By KHT AI Agent/Staff

Kaohsiung’s Transportation Bureau has set traffic controls for the city’s 2026 New Year’s Eve show at Dream Mall, with phased road closures starting 3 p.m. Dec. 31, no car parking on site, and extended late-night service on metro and rail to move crowds quickly.

Road closures begin Dec. 31 afternoon

The Kaohsiung City Government Transportation Bureau (高雄市政府交通局) has finalized traffic controls and transit contingency plans for the “2026 Kaohsiung New Year’s Eve Party” at Dream Mall (Mengshidai 夢時代) and Shidai Boulevard (Shidai Dadao 時代大道).

The bureau said roads will be controlled in three phases from 3 p.m. Dec. 31, 2025, through 2 a.m. Jan. 1, 2026, covering an area bounded by Fuxing Road (Fuxing Rd. 復興路) to the south, Old Kaixuan Road (Jiù Kaixuan Rd. 舊凱旋路) to the north, Chenggong Road (Chenggong Rd. 成功路) to the east and west of Zhongshan Road (Zhongshan Rd. 中山路) as specified in the city’s guidance.

Officials emphasized that no car parking will be provided at the venue and urged people to plan around transit access and walking routes, using the city’s New Year information hub for updates.

Metro and rail extend service, but two light-rail stops will not board after 5 p.m.

The bureau’s plan leans heavily on public transportation, with the Kaohsiung Metro Red Line directing riders to R6 Kaisyuan Station (R6 凱旋站), a short walk from the main event area. Metro service will be extended until 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.

For crowd safety and station capacity, the Kaohsiung Light Rail will restrict boarding and alighting at C4 Kaisyuan Zhonghua Station (C4 凱旋中華站) and C5 Dream Mall Station (C5 夢時代站) after 5 p.m. Dec. 31. Riders will be redirected to C3 Qianzhen Star (C3 前鎮之星) or C6 Commerce and Trade Park (C6 經貿園區) for transfers, according to event guidance.

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) said it will boost New Year’s holiday capacity, and the city’s event guidance also calls for late-night local service around the midnight dispersal period, with operations extended to about 2:30 a.m.

YouBike pauses near the venue; temporary motorcycle parking is rerouted

The bureau said YouBike stations near the venue will be suspended during the event window. For riders arriving by scooter, temporary motorcycle parking will be directed to designated areas, including the Shinkong parking area (accessed from Chenggong Road) and other temporary lots and segments along key corridors listed in the city’s guidance.

Why it matters?

New Year’s Eve in Kaohsiung can turn the Dream Mall area into a bottleneck within minutes, so the city’s strategy aims to keep vehicles out, push riders onto high-capacity rail, and spread foot traffic across transfer points. The trade-off is convenience: closing boarding at two nearby light-rail stations reduces crush risk but adds walking and transfers. The outcome depends on clear signage, steady headways, and how quickly crowds leave after midnight.

Kaohsiung City Government Transportation Bureau, New Year hub (updated 2025-12-18) — tbkc.gov.tw;