Sat31Oct
14:00–16:00
Silent film concert: spooky shorts with live music
國家電影及視聽文化中心-大影格
Restored silent short films with live musical accompaniment at the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute in Xinzhuang, New Taipei — just in time for Halloween.
Picks
Soonest events in New Taipei nobody on a date
Nothing starts in the next few days here; these are the six soonest, free ones preferred and a mix of categories.
Sat31Oct
18:30–20:25
'Nomadland' on the big screen at the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute
國家電影及視聽文化中心-大影格
A screening of 'Nomadland' in the large cinema of the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute in Xinzhuang, New Taipei.
Sat7Nov
18:20–21:26
'Drive My Car' on the big screen in New Taipei
國家電影及視聽文化中心-大影格
A screening of Ryusuke Hamaguchi's 'Drive My Car' in the large cinema of the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute in Xinzhuang.
Sun8Nov
13:50–15:48
'Tropical Fish' (restored) at the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute
國家電影及視聽文化中心-大影格
A digitally restored screening of Chen Yu-hsun's 1995 Taiwanese comedy 'Tropical Fish' in Xinzhuang, New Taipei.
Sat5Dec
14:00–15:40
Rainbow City Wind Band Annual Concert in Xinzhuang
新莊文化藝術中心演藝廳 (Xinzhuang Culture and Arts Center, Performance Hall)
The Rainbow City Wind Band presents its annual concert, Da Capo, at the Xinzhuang arts centre in New Taipei. Community band concerts have a warm, informal audience that is easy to join alone; check the listing for ticket details.
Sat19Dec
13:30–15:00
Cloud Gate Talk: Lin Hwai-min Looks Back at the 1970s
Cloud Gate Theater, Tamsui
In this postponed session of the 'Come Learn at Cloud Gate' talks, Cloud Gate founder Lin Hwai-min and writer and broadcaster Ma Shih-fang look back at the 1970s, a decade of words, songs and dance asking who we are. Tickets are sold through OPENTIX; the price is not shown on the listing. A talk at the theatre in Tamsui is a calm solo afternoon with a thoughtful crowd.
Formats
Where you talk without pressure
These formats give you a task or a topic, so you never have to open with small talk. Pages for New Taipei:
- Game nights: The game gives your hands something to do and everyone something to talk about. (all cities; nothing for New Taipei yet)
- Padel and pickleball: Doubles games where partners rotate, so one session puts you on court with several different people. (all cities; nothing for New Taipei yet)
- Walk and talk: Walking side by side is easier than sitting face to face. (all cities; nothing for New Taipei yet)
- Book clubs and silent reading: Either you discuss one book, or nobody has to talk at all. (all cities; nothing for New Taipei yet)
- Library nights: Free, low-key programmes in a place where it is normal to be alone. (all cities; nothing for New Taipei yet)
How to go alone
Five steps for your first time
- Pick one event, not five. Choose something with a host and a start time, such as "Silent film concert: spooky shorts with live music".
- Read the official page first: date, price, language and whether a place has to be reserved.
- Turn up a little before the start and mention to the organiser that you came alone.
- Keep one simple question ready ("Have you been before?") and commit to staying for an hour before you judge it.
- Return to the same group once more before deciding; regulars make it easier, and Meet & Mint shows who plans to attend.
Alternatives to dating apps
What actually works, compared
A neutral comparison of five ways to meet people through shared activities. None needs a profile; the last column shows what we list for New Taipei.
| Format | Why conversation starts | Works well if you | Typical cost | Commitment | In New Taipei now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinners with strangers | A shared table and a host who seats you | Like longer one-to-one conversation | The price of a meal | One evening, often booked ahead | none in our data yet |
| Run clubs | You move at the same pace and talk on the move | Prefer doing something active to small talk | Often free or low cost | Weekly; talking is optional | none in our data yet |
| Language cafés | Everyone is practising, so starting a chat is expected | Want a ready-made reason to talk | Free or the cost of a coffee | Drop-in | none in our data yet |
| Game nights | The game provides the topic and something to do | Enjoy light competition or puzzles | Free or a small table fee | Drop-in, two to three hours | none in our data yet |
| Volunteering | A shared task and a team | Want to meet people with similar values | Free | Regular shifts matter more than one visit | none in our data yet |
Questions people ask
Where do people in New Taipei meet without swiping?
Pick an activity rather than a venue. New Taipei has 11 listed events (culture, music, learning); start with "Silent film concert: spooky shorts with live music" and "'Nomadland' on the big screen at the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute" and go twice.
Is it weird to go to an event alone in New Taipei?
No. Many of the formats we list, such as language cafés and game nights, are designed for people who arrive alone, and hosts expect newcomers. Tell the host you are new and they will usually introduce you.
Is this a way to find a partner?
No, they are ordinary group activities where nobody is on a date. That is the point: pressure is low, and if a connection happens it grows out of shared interest, not out of a profile.
Are there free things to do alone in New Taipei?
Yes. 0 of the 11 upcoming events we list in New Taipei are free, including 0 in the next 30 days. Language cafés, library programmes and many walks cost nothing.
I'm new to New Taipei and shy. Where do I start?
Pick something where you do things rather than only talk, such as a game night or a guided walk. Commit to one hour. In Meet & Mint you can chat with the group before you arrive, which makes the first minutes easier.
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How it works
Meet & Mint in New Taipei: how it works
- Find an event on Come Alone or in the Meet & Mint map and open the official page for the details.
- Join alone in the app: you see how many people are going and can read the group chat.
- Say hello before in the chat, so the first minutes at the venue are with names you know.
- Meet at the event and decide afterwards whether to go again. Nobody is on a date.
Meet & Mint
See who's going, then go together
Meet & Mint shows events and people near you on one map. Join an event alone, chat with the group, meet at the event. Free on iPhone and Android.