Technological innovation is set to be one of the major highlights of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, which will air on February 16.

As 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, horse-themed imagery will take center stage in the gala's stage design. The main visual centerpiece is a large-scale artistic installation depicting eight galloping horses, constructed from more than 300 modular units and 5,584 individual flip modules.

The overall stage design emphasizes the dynamic effect of "ten thousand horses galloping forward," echoing the spirit of the zodiac year. Visual director Guo Li explained that the horse-pattern installation is a digitally controlled matrix with three transformable surfaces in gold, silver and red. Through computer-controlled flipping combined with lighting effects, the structure can produce ever-changing color reflections. Throughout the performance, the rhythmic movement of the stage elements creates a wide range of striking and imaginative visual transitions.

Built around horse-pattern motifs, the installation forms a layered and undulating stage space that conveys momentum and vitality. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese culture, the Year of the Horse gala integrates the zodiac horse, symbolizing perseverance and progress, into its creative vision. 

By flexibly integrating advanced technologies such as AI, AR and XR, the production blurs the line between the virtual and the real, delivering an immersive, three-dimensional visual experience in which performers and scenery interact seamlessly.