Vibrant activities celebrating new year take center stage across China

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China

2026.01.02 11:42 GMT+8

Vibrant activities celebrating new year take center stage across China

Updated 2026.01.02 11:42 GMT+8

CGTN

Carnivals, fireworks, musical and cultural performances, and other festive events have become major attractions for people celebrating the turn of the year in China.

Many places across the country held vibrant activities to celebrate the arrival of 2026.

A rehearsal for the New Year's Eve laser light show draws large crowds of visitors in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, December 30, 2025. /VCG

The fireworks display at the 27th Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, December 31, 2025. /VCG

Data from Fliggy, a major Chinese online travel agency, shows that searches for New Year's Eve celebration activities such as countdown performances, fireworks displays and light shows soared 58 percent year on year.

Hanshan Temple holds a New Year's Eve bell ringing ceremony in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, December 31, 2025. /VCG

Shanghai Disneyland presented a special New Year's Eve fireworks show, Shanghai, China, December 31, 2025. /VCG

People gather underneath the Canton Tower to release balloons, ushering in the new year in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, December 31, 2025. /VCG

According to Wang Xiaoxue, deputy director of the Mafengwo Destination Research Institute, "welcoming the New Year ceremoniously has become the top choice for many young travellers. The search volume for 'good places to celebrate New Year's Eve' has increased by about 150 percent month on month in the past two weeks."

Some events also featured performances that highlighted cultural legacies.

Folk artists performed a dragon dance at Wujiang Village in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China, December 31, 2025. /VCG

A Kunqu Opera performance at Shanghai Lyceum Theatre in Shanghai, China, December 31, 2025. /VCG

Vibrant activities celebrating new year take center stage across China

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