By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — The Kaohsiung City Government has confirmed that the 2026 French Lifestyle Festival will be held at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) from May 22 to May 24. This marks the first time the event will utilize the Weiwuying venue, following a combined turnout of over 270,000 visitors during its previous two years at other locations.
The festival, co-organized with the French Office in Taipei, aims to move French cultural promotion beyond traditional galleries and into a multi-functional public space.
Event Programming
The 2026 program, themed “Paris Champs-Élysées Symphony Night,” focuses on three primary areas:
- Music & Film: The outdoor theater and lawns will host screenings of French films and live performances. The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) are scheduled to perform.
- The French Market: An expanded selection of vendors will offer French desserts, regional cuisine, and lifestyle products. Some dining options will feature “fusion” menus that incorporate local Kaohsiung ingredients.
- Interactive Zones: Dedicated areas for pétanque (a traditional French bowling game) and football will be open to the public.
Design and Attendance
The official visual identity for the 2026 festival was designed by French illustrator Christopher Boyd, artwork that integrates Kaohsiung’s skyline with French aesthetic elements.
City officials noted that the relocation to Weiwuying allows for a larger scale than in previous years. With approximately 160,000 visitors recorded for the three-day event last year, the city anticipates that the upgraded venue and expanded market capacity will accommodate a similar or larger crowd this May.
