Kaohsiung's Ultimate Summer Treat: '2026 Kaohsiung Ice Festival' Debuts July 18 in Hamasen, Gathering 50 Top Parlors; EXO Fans Get Exclusive Ice Dessert Voucher as Visitors Explore Century-Old Historic District
Updated:2026-07-14
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[This article was translated by AI]
The '2026 Kaohsiung Ice Festival', a highly anticipated summer dessert extravaganza organized by the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, will grandly debut from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on July 18 and 19 (Saturday and Sunday) at 'Shinbinn・Station Front' (Shinbin Ekimae), located right next to MRT Hamasen Station. Marking its fifth anniversary this year, the festival will assemble over 50 unique ice and food brands, offering a delightful array of treats that range from traditional Taiwanese shaved ice, Italian gelato, and Japanese kakigori to authentic Southeast Asian ice desserts all in one place. Adding to the excitement, Japanese competitive eating champion Angela Sato and Japanese YouTuber Ikulaoshi will make special appearances on the first day to join in the fun. The festival is also collaborating with the immersive theater production 'The Great Tipsy' by 'Surprise Lab', inviting visitors from all over the country to step into Hamasen and experience the coolest, most refreshing summer ice cream carnival filled with the unique charm of the harbor city.
According to Kao Min-lin, Director-General of the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, the Kaohsiung Ice Festival has established itself as the city's most iconic summer tourism brand, attracting over 160,000 visitors over its past four editions. The Tourism Bureau continues to utilize themed events to connect specialty commercial districts, historic areas, and local brands, effectively boosting tourist foot traffic and stimulating local consumption. In addition to the large-scale ice dessert market, this year's festival collaborates with the Hamasen Shopping District and the Takao Renaissance Association to launch the "Hamasen Historic Walk" (featuring professional guided tours) alongside the "Ice Dessert Fun Run", an interactive walk-and-eat experience. These activities will lead participants on a deep exploration of the cultural heritage, local stories, and harbor-town culture of this century-old neighborhood, allowing visitors to appreciate Hamasen's unique historical landscape and urban charm while savoring delicious icy treats. Director-General Kao also pointed out that, for the first time, this year's event is partnering with the "Kaohsiung Digital Citizen" platform to host the "Most Popular Ice Dessert Award" voting campaign. Citizens who complete the survey can redeem a limited-edition "Ice Dessert Voucher" to support their favorite brands and help crown this year's ultimate crowd-favorite treat.
The Tourism Bureau explained that to ensure local citizens as well as domestic and international travelers can safely enjoy Kaohsiung's most distinctive summer delicacies, all participating vendors in the market have passed strict food safety inspections conducted by the Department of Health, Kaohsiung City Government. This year's vendor lineup is highly impressive, gathering high-quality brands that combine local characteristics with international flavors. These exceptional local shops are set to fully satisfy the taste buds of ice cream lovers. Beyond local brands, this year's festival also rounds up popular international ice desserts and foods, allowing visitors to savor cooling flavors from different countries without having to travel abroad. The venue will also feature handmade light bites from 'me coffee', Taiwan's first locally brewed peach sparkling drink introduced by 'DB Brewery'—which was awarded a gold medal at the World Cider Awards (WCA)—and the classic harbor-style 'Cijin Shun - Grilled Squid'. Furthermore, special delicacies from Matsu, Lienchiang County, will make their cross-strait debut at the festival, together creating a spectacular summer extravaganza that beautifully integrates ice treats, fine food, and tourism features.
The Tourism Bureau further stated that the festival period coincides with the upcoming concerts of the popular South Korean mega-group EXO at the Kaohsiung Arena. To welcome fans from across Taiwan and overseas, a special "Fan-Exclusive Benefit" has been introduced. Concert ticket holders can visit the Kaohsiung Ice Festival service counter to redeem a limited-edition "Ice Dessert Voucher", which can be used to offset purchases at the event venue and participating partner shops in the Hamasen Shopping District. Additionally, fans can use their "Night Market and Commercial District Vouchers" directly at the festival. This initiative aims to leverage the concert-driven economy to stimulate consumption within local business districts, encouraging more travelers to explore Hamasen and experience the harbor charm and local culinary delights of Kaohsiung. Furthermore, in an ongoing effort to actively champion environmental sustainability, the event will provide a reusable tableware rental service. Visitors who rent reusable tableware will enjoy exclusive discounts, encouraging practical steps toward low-carbon travel and a sustainable lifestyle.
The Tourism Bureau thoughtfully reminds the public that due to heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic during the festival, and extremely limited parking spaces in the historic neighborhood of Hamasen, visitors are highly encouraged to opt for the low-carbon "MRT + Light Rail" travel hack. Travelers from other counties or northern Kaohsiung can take the MRT Orange Line to Hamasen Station (O1), Exit 2. Alternatively, visitors can take the Kaohsiung Light Rail to Hamasen Station (C14), where the event venue is located immediately outside the station—allowing for a highly convenient journey while sparing you the hassle of searching for parking. For the latest event information, please visit the official Kaohsiung Travel website, follow the official Facebook and Instagram pages, or check the "Kaohsiung GO!" app. To sign up for the historic walks and fun runs, please visit the dedicated registration pages.
The '2026 Kaohsiung Ice Festival', a highly anticipated summer dessert extravaganza organized by the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, will grandly debut from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on July 18 and 19 (Saturday and Sunday) at 'Shinbinn・Station Front' (Shinbin Ekimae), located right next to MRT Hamasen Station. Marking its fifth anniversary this year, the festival will assemble over 50 unique ice and food brands, offering a delightful array of treats that range from traditional Taiwanese shaved ice, Italian gelato, and Japanese kakigori to authentic Southeast Asian ice desserts all in one place. Adding to the excitement, Japanese competitive eating champion Angela Sato and Japanese YouTuber Ikulaoshi will make special appearances on the first day to join in the fun. The festival is also collaborating with the immersive theater production 'The Great Tipsy' by 'Surprise Lab', inviting visitors from all over the country to step into Hamasen and experience the coolest, most refreshing summer ice cream carnival filled with the unique charm of the harbor city.
According to Kao Min-lin, Director-General of the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, the Kaohsiung Ice Festival has established itself as the city's most iconic summer tourism brand, attracting over 160,000 visitors over its past four editions. The Tourism Bureau continues to utilize themed events to connect specialty commercial districts, historic areas, and local brands, effectively boosting tourist foot traffic and stimulating local consumption. In addition to the large-scale ice dessert market, this year's festival collaborates with the Hamasen Shopping District and the Takao Renaissance Association to launch the "Hamasen Historic Walk" (featuring professional guided tours) alongside the "Ice Dessert Fun Run", an interactive walk-and-eat experience. These activities will lead participants on a deep exploration of the cultural heritage, local stories, and harbor-town culture of this century-old neighborhood, allowing visitors to appreciate Hamasen's unique historical landscape and urban charm while savoring delicious icy treats. Director-General Kao also pointed out that, for the first time, this year's event is partnering with the "Kaohsiung Digital Citizen" platform to host the "Most Popular Ice Dessert Award" voting campaign. Citizens who complete the survey can redeem a limited-edition "Ice Dessert Voucher" to support their favorite brands and help crown this year's ultimate crowd-favorite treat.
The Tourism Bureau explained that to ensure local citizens as well as domestic and international travelers can safely enjoy Kaohsiung's most distinctive summer delicacies, all participating vendors in the market have passed strict food safety inspections conducted by the Department of Health, Kaohsiung City Government. This year's vendor lineup is highly impressive, gathering high-quality brands that combine local characteristics with international flavors. These exceptional local shops are set to fully satisfy the taste buds of ice cream lovers. Beyond local brands, this year's festival also rounds up popular international ice desserts and foods, allowing visitors to savor cooling flavors from different countries without having to travel abroad. The venue will also feature handmade light bites from 'me coffee', Taiwan's first locally brewed peach sparkling drink introduced by 'DB Brewery'—which was awarded a gold medal at the World Cider Awards (WCA)—and the classic harbor-style 'Cijin Shun - Grilled Squid'. Furthermore, special delicacies from Matsu, Lienchiang County, will make their cross-strait debut at the festival, together creating a spectacular summer extravaganza that beautifully integrates ice treats, fine food, and tourism features.
The Tourism Bureau further stated that the festival period coincides with the upcoming concerts of the popular South Korean mega-group EXO at the Kaohsiung Arena. To welcome fans from across Taiwan and overseas, a special "Fan-Exclusive Benefit" has been introduced. Concert ticket holders can visit the Kaohsiung Ice Festival service counter to redeem a limited-edition "Ice Dessert Voucher", which can be used to offset purchases at the event venue and participating partner shops in the Hamasen Shopping District. Additionally, fans can use their "Night Market and Commercial District Vouchers" directly at the festival. This initiative aims to leverage the concert-driven economy to stimulate consumption within local business districts, encouraging more travelers to explore Hamasen and experience the harbor charm and local culinary delights of Kaohsiung. Furthermore, in an ongoing effort to actively champion environmental sustainability, the event will provide a reusable tableware rental service. Visitors who rent reusable tableware will enjoy exclusive discounts, encouraging practical steps toward low-carbon travel and a sustainable lifestyle.
The Tourism Bureau thoughtfully reminds the public that due to heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic during the festival, and extremely limited parking spaces in the historic neighborhood of Hamasen, visitors are highly encouraged to opt for the low-carbon "MRT + Light Rail" travel hack. Travelers from other counties or northern Kaohsiung can take the MRT Orange Line to Hamasen Station (O1), Exit 2. Alternatively, visitors can take the Kaohsiung Light Rail to Hamasen Station (C14), where the event venue is located immediately outside the station—allowing for a highly convenient journey while sparing you the hassle of searching for parking. For the latest event information, please visit the official Kaohsiung Travel website, follow the official Facebook and Instagram pages, or check the "Kaohsiung GO!" app. To sign up for the historic walks and fun runs, please visit the dedicated registration pages.
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