October is when Taiwan finally begins to ease into autumn. The days are still warm, but the evenings are cooler, mountain air feels crisp, and weekends are filled with reasons to head outdoors. Whether you're planning a weekend escape, looking for something beyond the usual tourist stops, or simply want to make the most of Taiwan's cooler season, these four events are worth adding to your October itinerary. The Taipei Fashion Week SS27 pre-event press conference. (Taipei Fashion Week Facebook) 1. Taipei Fashion WeekTaipei Fashion Week SS27 returns this October, moving for the first time to C-LAB (Kong Zong Cultural Base), a cultural landmark with more than 80 years of history. Once home to an industrial research institute and later the Air Force General Headquarters, the site now serves as a hub for contemporary culture.The move gives a historic site new life while signaling a broader shift in Taiwan's fashion scene, from a runway-focused event toward a platform with greater cultural depth and stronger industry connections.This season also expands beyond the runway, bringing the human body into its visual concept while introducing more consumer experiences, including style exhibitions, direct shopping, and a new buyer matchmaking system connecting Taiwanese designers with international markets.Date: Oct. 15–18, 2026Location: Kong Zong Cultural Base (C-LAB), TaipeiEvent Highlights Runway shows: Discover new collections from Taiwanese designers and fashion brands. Style exhibitions: Experience fashion through visual installations and creative presentations beyond the runway. Direct shopping: Browse and purchase fashion directly from participating Taiwanese brands.Travel Tips Getting there: Take the Taipei Metro to Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station and walk to C-LAB. C-LAB is close to Huashan 1914 Creative Park, so you can easily combine Fashion Week with exhibitions, design shops, and cafés.Check the official Taipei Fashion Week website for the latest event schedule and visitor information. Check admission requirements for individual shows; the Trade Show is open to the public. A live woodcarving demonstration at the 2024 Sanyi Wood Sculpture Festival. (Sanyi Wood Sculpture Association Facebook) 2. Sanyi Wood Sculpture FestivalKnown as Taiwan's “Wood Sculpture Town,” Sanyi in Miaoli has a long tradition of woodcarving, with local artisans passing their skills down through generations. The town's wood sculpture culture began to flourish in the early 20th century, when local craftsmen started turning its abundant camphor wood into art.The annual festival celebrates this heritage through live carving demonstrations, hands-on woodcraft activities, cultural performances, creative markets, and tea experiences. More than a showcase of traditional art, it brings visitors into Sanyi's distinctive slow-living culture and keeps its woodcarving tradition alive for a new generation.Date: Oct. 9–11, 2026Location: Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum and Shuimei Art Street, Sanyi, MiaoliEvent Highlights Live woodcarving: Watch artisans demonstrate traditional carving techniques. Woodcraft experiences: Try hands-on activities and make your own woodcraft. Creative market: Browse locally made crafts and wood products. Cultural activities: Enjoy performances, tea experiences, and other festival programs.Travel Tips Getting there: Take a train to Sanyi Station, then continue to the festival area by local bus or taxi. Explore Shuimei Art Street: The area is home to numerous woodcarving shops and studios, making it a good place to see and shop for local craftsmanship. Visit the museum: The Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum offers a deeper look at Taiwan's woodcarving tradition and is one of the main festival venues.For more information, including the full event schedule and activities, visit the official Sanyi Wood Sculpture Festival website. Check registration requirements and fees for individual activities. Taiwanese Indigenous singer A-Lin performs on the "Wild Boar Main Stage" at the Taiwan PASIWALI Festival in 2023. (The Council of Indigenous Peoples) 3. Taiwan PASIWALI Festival“PASIWALI” means “toward the east” in the Amis language, referring to the direction where the sun rises and the homeland of many Indigenous peoples in Taiwan. Named after this idea, the festival brings Indigenous musicians from Taiwan and around the world together for a celebration of music and cultural exchange.Beyond the performances, the festival features Tribal Houses, market stalls, and group dancing, giving visitors a chance to experience different aspects of Indigenous cultures and the diverse traditions of Austronesian peoples.Date: Oct. 31–Nov. 1, 2026Location: Taitung Forest Park, TaitungEvent Highlights International music: See Indigenous musicians and artists from Taiwan and abroad perform live. Tribal Houses: Discover Indigenous culture through interactive experiences and displays. Cultural market: Browse food, crafts, and products from Indigenous communities.Travel Tips Getting there: Taitung Forest Park is about a 10-minute drive from Taitung Station. Taxis or local buses are convenient options. Festival activities begin in the afternoon, giving you time to explore the Tribal Houses and market before the main performances. Consider making it a weekend trip and exploring Taitung's coastline, local food, and nearby Indigenous communities.For more information, including the full performance schedule and festival activities, visit the official Taiwan PASIWALI Festival website. Couples in traditional Tsou attire listen to a tribal elder during the 2026 Alishan Starry Wedding Tour. (Taiwan Tourism Administration) 4. Wedding Under the Alishan Divine TreeSince 2007, the Wedding Under the Alishan Divine Tree has become one of Taiwan's best-known mountain wedding events. A total of 399 couples have taken part over the years, including participants from more than 10 countries, making it a unique wedding experience with an international following.The ceremony takes place beneath a centuries-old giant tree at around 2,200 meters above sea level, combining Alishan's mountain scenery with Tsou Indigenous wedding traditions, tea culture, and forest railway experiences. The 2026 edition marks the event's 20th year.Registration for participating couples closed June 12; visitors hoping to watch the ceremony should ask the organizer about spectator access before planning their trip. Even without attending the ceremony, Alishan's forests, giant trees, railway, and surrounding attractions offer plenty to explore.Date: Oct. 16–18, 2026 (wedding program Oct. 16–17; reunion Oct. 18)Location: Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, Chiayi (wedding); Niupuzai Love Grassland, Chiayi (reunion)Event Highlights (for registered couples) Tsou culture: Experience traditional Tsou clothing and elements of Indigenous wedding culture. Wedding train: Enjoy a special railway experience featured in the 2026 celebration. Alishan traditions: Discover the area's tea culture, forest ecology, and mountain scenery.Travel Tips Participation: Wedding registration closed June 12; reunion registration closed Aug. 12. Getting there: From Chiayi, travel into the mountains by car, bus, or the Alishan Forest Railway. Allow extra time for the mountain journey. Dress for the mountains: Temperatures can be much cooler than in lowland Taiwan, especially in the morning and evening.For more information, including participation details and the full event program, visit the official Alishan National Scenic Area Administration website.