TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung's 2024 Halloween event will kick off on Oct. 25 at Aouzihdi Forest Park, featuring a festive street party and a giant pumpkin lantern.

Last year's Halloween event in the city drew a crowd of 60,000 participants. This year's event, themed "Pumpkin Playground," will celebrate the month of October for 10 days until Nov. 3, per CNA.

A massive 20-meter tall, 22-meter wide pumpkin lantern will be showcased for the first time. It's about one-third the height of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, standing at approximately 57 meters, according to Dimension Scopez.

The event will feature a variety of performances, including circus acts, singing and dancing, and interactive shows. Director-General Wu Li-sen (吳立森) of the City Education Bureau encourages everyone to dress up in their spookiest costumes and join the festivities.

This year's Halloween event has teamed up with the Taiwan Parks & Playgrounds for Children by Children (TWPFC) and Public Television Service’s children’s channel (PTS XS) to create a family-friendly experience. The event will feature beloved characters from PTS XS and a variety of spooky costumes.

Surrounded by pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes, Aouzihdi Forest Park features a vast central lawn for public activities. Its multi-layered landscape, incorporating a variety of flowering plants that attract butterflies and birds, creates a beautiful and biodiverse environment, according to Gushan District Office Kaohsiung City.

The TWPfC has been a driving force in advocating for children's right to play and promoting diverse play spaces since 2015. Through years of effort, the TWPfC has participated in the renovation of over 400 park playgrounds across the country, per TWPfC.