The China Media Group Spring Festival Gala – popularly known as Chunwan – which has served a pillar of Chinese New Year celebrations for over four decades, returned to light up screens across China and around the world on Monday, February 16.
A highly viewed and popular television program with global appeal, the CMG Spring Festival Gala this year was broadcast in 85 languages in over 200 countries.
One much-discussed highlight came in the form of pop star Wang Yibo‘s seamless dance performance for the track “Shine and Move” (闪耀动起来) alongside Hong Kong icon Aaron Kwok. A legendary performer himself, Kwok hailed Yibo the “King of Dance” for his era, as the multi-faceted star’s fans praised and celebrated his dominant stage presence and crisp choreography.
While other popular Chinese celebrities including Bai Lu, Ding Yuxi, Luo Yunxi, Song Weilong, Li Jian and Faye Wong made impressive appearances, the event also hosted globally renowned artists from around the world including John Legend, Lionel Richie, Westlife and Hélène Rollès.
A cultural bonanza featuring cross-cultural acrobatic performances, martial arts, a ballet-street dance fusion performance, traditional arts, comedic sketches and more, the Spring Gala Festival was an enriching peek into China’s vast heritage.
While China’s cultural diversity charmed audiences, another major highlight – which took over social media – was a showcase of the Unitree G1 humanoid robots on stage taking Kung Fu to new heights with jaw-dropping precision.
Immersive, engaging and an awe-inspiring reveal of the advancements in China’s robotics industry, the innovative stage was praised by overseas audiences in particular.
The event itself tapped into cutting-edge technologies spanning AI, augmented reality (AR), VR glasses, extended reality (XR), drones and more to transform the stage into expansive, interactive projections.
The main stage of the event was in Beijing but sub-venues in Harbin (Heilongjiang), Yiwu (Zhejiang), Hefei (Anhui), and Yibin (Sichuan), added vivid local flavours to the night of celebrations.
A cornerstone of Chinese New Year eve, the China Media Group Spring Festival Gala remains a cherished annual ritual as the 2026 event kicked off Lunar New Year celebrations with a heartfelt blend of tradition and evolution.
Happy Chinese New Year to all around the world you celebrate. May you be blessed with prosperity, joy and health!
Did you watch the CMG Spring Festival Gala this year? What was your highlight? We’d love to know! Visit Lyrical Muse for more global cultural and entertainment coverage.
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