Final countdown to the Spring Festival Gala

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03:31

The countdown has begun! The Spring Festival Gala, the most hotly anticipated annual variety show held on the eve of the Chinese New Year will kick off in a few hours from now.

With over 700 million viewers worldwide, the grand spectacle has become an integral part of Chinese New Year's Eve celebrations.

On Wednesday evening, the gala's fourth and final rehearsal was held at CCTV's Studio No. 1, also the main venue for the show.

Programs featuring cross-talk and witty skits are some of the most popular sections of the larger-than-life carnival.

Many veteran comedians along with new talents will be performing at the show this evening to tickle your funny bone.

Performers wait for their turn to perform in the rehearsal of Spring Festival Gala. /VCG Photo

Young comedian Zhai Tianlin is making his gala debut tonight. "I feel honored to perform at this year's gala and see all these talented artists in person. I think the gala is more than just a show, through the years it has really become an integral part of the cultural memory of the Chinese people," said Zhai.

This year's gala is expected to introduce some new genres, however, a majority of the show will have traditional-style performances.

This year's Spring Festival Gala will be broadcast on TV and live-streamed online simultaneously. During the event, there will also be opportunities to engage via TikTok, also known as Douyin, one of the most popular video mobile apps among Chinese youth.