Preparations are underway for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, a cornerstone of Chinese New Year celebrations and consistently the world’s most-watched annual television event [[1]]. The gala, a nearly five-hour program blending traditional and contemporary performances, began full rehearsals on January 17th as the nation prepares to welcome the Year of the Horse. this year’s production promises to further integrate cutting-edge technology with artistic expression, building on recent innovations like robotic performances [[3]], and reflects China’s continued investment in both cultural presentation and technological advancement.
The first full rehearsal for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, China’s most-watched television event, took place on January 17, signaling the show is well underway in its production. The rehearsal showcased the seamless integration of diverse performances with innovative technologies and striking stage designs, offering a first look at the overall impact of the show.
This year’s gala, themed “Galloping Horses, Unstoppable Momentum,” aims to capture a spirit of vibrancy and progress as China enters a new year. The show will lean heavily into traditional Chinese culture while embracing cutting-edge technology to create a dynamic and modern spectacle.
The creative team has drawn inspiration from the Year of the Horse, incorporating imagery and symbolism of the animal to represent strength and forward momentum. The production is prioritizing a blend of “thought, art, and technology” to broaden the scope of artistic expression. Stage design incorporates AI, AR, and XR technologies to create immersive visual effects, blurring the lines between reality and the virtual world. Artistic installations featuring horse motifs will form a dynamic stage space evoking a sense of a powerful stampede. Original songs promise upbeat tempos and spirited performances, while traditional opera segments will feature innovative choreography inspired by the “horse-riding” movements central to the art form.
The 2026 Spring Festival Gala continues to push the boundaries of “tech plus art,” integrating technological innovation into stage presentation and content creation to spark viewers’ imaginations. Following the success of intelligent robots performing a traditional Yangge dance at last year’s gala, robots will once again take the stage, bringing a fresh and technologically advanced element to the performance. This builds on China’s growing reputation for technological advancement and innovation.
责任编辑：蒋肖斌 郭韶明
流程编辑：朱宏利
