Excitement builds in Beijing ahead of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, a cultural powerhouse airing live on February 16 at 8 PM local time (5:30 PM IST). Produced by China Media Group, this annual spectacle will captivate audiences in over 200 countries via CGTN in 85 languages, partnering with 3,300+ media partners.
Marking the dawn of the Horse Year in the Chinese lunar calendar, the event embodies the horse’s virtues of endurance and dynamism. Under the banner ‘Galloping Horse, Unstoppable Pace,’ it motivates viewers to pursue ambitions with unwavering vigor. For the first time, the stage incorporates cutting-edge AIGC technology, with CNC modules creating a vivid illusion of thousands of horses charging across the set amid spectacular lighting effects.
Smart robots, stars of 2025’s Yangge routine, return to dazzle with evolved choreography, blending tradition and tech seamlessly. Since its inception in 1983 by China’s national broadcaster, the Gala has evolved into a cherished ritual for Chinese diaspora everywhere, drawing billions of eyes each year.
The Spring Festival’s UNESCO recognition last December elevates its status, acknowledged as statutory holiday in nearly 20 nations and embraced by a fifth of humanity. With Lunar New Year commencing February 17, this Gala broadcast promises to ignite celebrations, uniting families in a shared cultural embrace.