Chinese New Year gala 2026: Tradition meets technology

CHINA: ON February 16th, 2026 as 8 pm approaches, the world’s second most viewed television show, only second to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) world cup, will commence.

What could possibly keep hordes of people glued to their chairs for 4.5 hours?

The Chinese New Year’s Gala that is aired by China Central Television. The Gala is an entertainment show which combines modern media technologies and folk customs, and is broadcast live on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

From its ancient agricultural roots to its modern-day global celebrations, to the Chinese New Year is a reflection of the enduring values of family unity, cultural heritage, and social harmony.

Its colourful traditions, symbolic rituals, and festive atmosphere, can easily be summed up in this evening gala.

The Gala is a must-see TV show for every Chinese family, in China or abroad. From 1983 when it was first aired, the gala has undergone tremendous transformation in terms of broadcasting technologies, techniques and content.

China Media Group reported that in 2025 the gala achieved unprecedented success, reaching a staggering 16.8 billion views across all media platforms (particularly TV and Online platforms), an 18.31 per cent increase from 2024. When it was first aired in 1983, the audience watched the show on the analog TV sets.

Images were not as perfect as they are today, and the content was limited. At that time China was not advanced in information technology as it is today, and for the majority of the Chinese people who were struggling economically, requirements of the cultural aspect of the show were minimal.

Earlier shows always featured Chinese New Year’s traditional performances such as the lion dance, and dragon dance, but also conjuring tricks, and other types of acrobatics.

As any tradition that has withstood the test of time, there was a time where mostly the youth were critical and viewed the show as old-fashioned, and argued that it needed to be updated.

Many aspects of Chinese New Year have been modernised to go with the time, and the youth have been at the centre of this change.

Gift money in red envelopes is now given electronically through Wechat and Alipay platforms, fireworks which have been a source of injuries and air pollution replaced by audio firework etc., so that voices that advocated for some updates were not groundless.

With the economic development and technological advancements, the youth got what they wished for. T

his year which according to the Chinese lunar calendar is the year of the horse, will gallop at top speed and quality with the combined application of 5G, 4K, 8K as well as virtual reality techniques bringing a brandnew viewing experience.

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For those who have been following technological advancement in robotics in China, may have come across new about “humanoid robots”.

A few of them were showcased last year busting out showstopping flips, tricks and twists. Just a year after they were introduced on stage on a handkerchief-waving debut, these dancing machines have upped their game and are back on stage on this year at the gala.

Also, the venue which will host the event this year, will boast a record-breaking 1,462 stage lights, the switches, brightness, colours, and movements of which will be controlled with the latest technology.

Augmented reality, extended reality and artificial intelligence will all be employed to craft an immersive stage that will blend the virtual and the real.

With the content of earlier versions of the gala still there, many different types of performances such as singing, cross-talk, dancing, sketching, magic, stand-up skit, acrobatics, and Chinese opera are now part of the show, and delivered in high tech. Despite all changes that are taking place, one thing has remained constant, family reunion.

The gala has played a central role in gathering family members in front of the TV, not only celebrating family reunion, but also connecting them to traditional Chinese culture.

The CCTV New Year’s Gala plays an important role during the holiday because watching the gala while chatting, laughing, and enjoying the performance, adds to the mood of family reunion and celebration.

The gala will be aired through various platforms in Asia, the African Union of Broadcasting, reaching over 300 media organisations across 169 countries.