This year's CMG Mid-Autumn Festival Gala takes place in Huainan, Anhui Province – the birthplace of tofu and the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) classic Huainanzi. The production anchors its storyline in regional history, drawing on ancient folklore, astronomy and festive customs to celebrate family reunion.

On the open-air stage, the director team brings these traditions into the digital era. Executive Director Dong Jinming explained that the gala moves beyond regional folklore to focus on shared emotions of nostalgia and reunion as a bridge for communication. Using AI visual effects and nearly 40 projectors, the production layers physical architecture with digital projections of landscapes, pavilions and classic motifs.

Beyond music, the gala integrates diverse performance genres, backed by a soundscape of traditional opera, modern folk, and contemporary instrumental pieces. Structured across three moon-themed chapters, the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala uses global creative language to reimagine Chinese traditions for audiences worldwide.