Celebrating 30 Years: Banqiao Flower Market Transforms into a Romantic Bazaar for Qixi Festival

Banqiao Flower Market, New Taipei City’s most historic public flower market, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a special Qixi Festival-themed event titled "Love in Blue," taking place on August 15. The event runs from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and will feature a beautiful romantic photo wall, DIY craft workshops, street performer acts, and a romantic pop-up market. Additional activities include gift giveaways for shoppers and lucky draw prizes for online check-ins, inviting the public to enjoy the Qixi Festival together at Banqiao Flower Market.

Established in 1996, Banqiao Flower Market is the earliest, largest, and most accessible public flower market in the Greater Taipei area. With approximately 94 stalls, it offers a wide variety of products including cut flowers, potted plants, preserved flowers, herbs, and bonsai. For three decades, nestled beneath the Minsheng Elevated Bridge, the market has consistently served as a green, warm-hearted "green living room" for city dwellers—a treasured destination for residents seeking home floral arrangements.

This year, the New Taipei City Government’s Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Banqiao District Office, has launched the "SUPER 30" series of events. To celebrate the Qixi Festival, they have designed the theme "Love in Blue," continuing the year’s four-color visual concept, using pink and blue to symbolize romance and boundlessness. The festival aims not only at couples but also encourages expressions of affection among family and friends. A special "Flower Words Love Wall" photo installation will be set up onsite, featuring a large heart-shaped display along with envelopes, small flower cards, and pens, allowing visitors to easily convey their feelings in a simple, heartfelt way.

Beyond flower viewing and photo opportunities, the romantic pop-up market will host 10 vendors, including New Taipei’s young farmer Liu Nien-tsu from "Tao Plant Essential Oil Workshop," who will sell natural plant essential oils. Other booths will offer handmade ice cream, desserts, light meals, mobile coffee trucks, and unique souvenirs. As a token of appreciation, customers who shop at the flower market or pop-up market from August 8 through the event day (August 15) can present their receipts at the service counter on the day to redeem gifts. Anyone who makes a purchase or checks in online will receive a "Flower Card" (limited to first 100 participants). Spending over NT$300 earns one scoop of "Flower Ice Cream" (limited to first 50), over NT$500 grants a pair of "Qixi Elf Bracelets" (limited to first 100), and over NT$1,000 entitles the shopper to an on-site caricature sketching service (limited to first 20). Visitors are encouraged to come shop for flowers and enjoy these exclusive rewards.

Additionally, two sessions each of natural essential oil DIY workshops and bracelet-making workshops will be held on the event day. Each session is limited to 25 participants and is now open for free online registration (URL: https://reurl.cc/VnRmpQ). The essential oil workshop, led by Liu from Tao Plant Essential Oil Workshop, guides participants in creating a "Qixi-Limited Natural Essential Oil Aroma" using ylang-ylang, sweet orange, lemon, and cypress oils. The bracelet workshop invites participants to work in pairs, freely choosing colors and beads to weave warmth and love into a handmade bracelet for someone special. Street performers and caricature artists will also be on site, offering visitors a sweet, multi-sensory experience while exploring the flower market.

Chen Shi-hui, Director of the New Taipei City Department of Agriculture, stated that the city continues to promote the transformation of flower markets into experiential spaces offering unique goods and five-sensory enjoyment. The "Love in Blue" Qixi photo installation will remain on display from August 15 to August 21, during which time a social media check-in giveaway will also run, offering a chance to win the "Banqiao Flower Market 30th Anniversary Limited-Edition Giant Shopping Bag." The public is encouraged to follow the official Facebook page "Jia Ri Shi Guang" (https://www.facebook.com/agr.ntpc) for the latest updates and promotions.

Banqiao Flower Market Access Information: Approximately 5 minutes’ walk from Exit 2 or 3 of Xianpu MRT Station. Alternatively, take buses Orange 5, Blue 17, Blue 18, 920, or 930. Due to expected crowds during the event, the use of public transportation is highly recommended.