Chiayi City holds an annual Christmas Eve Street Caroling event, a tradition that started in 2003 and is organized by the City Government. On Christmas Eve, Mayor Huang Min-hui, along with the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chiayi, the Chairman of the Chiayi Presbytery, and other religious leaders, lead churches, schools, civic groups, and nearly 2,000 participants in gathering in front of City Hall to sing carols and share the holiday spirit.
The event features performances by local kindergartens, churches, social welfare organizations, and schools, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Led by a choir, the crowd sings familiar, heartwarming Christmas songs like Silent Night. A lighting ceremony follows the countdown, illuminating City Hall, the Police Department, and the Finance and Tax Bureau with enchanting Christmas lights, adding a festive energy to the city.
Afterward, participants—including children and adults dressed as angels, Santa Claus, and cartoon characters—parade around the Zhongshan Road shopping district toward the Central Fountain Roundabout. Along the way, they share candies and holiday greetings with passersby. The event also extends into the Wenhua Road Night Market, where locals and visitors alike take part in the celebration.
This event provides an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy the season, and appreciate the city's cultural diversity and religious harmony. Over the years, it has become a simple yet meaningful tradition that many look forward to.