The 2026 Spring Festival Gala will air at 8 p.m. on Monday, promising a spectacular evening that blends cutting-edge technology, performances by ordinary people and festive celebrations connecting audiences around the world.

This year's gala, which completed its final dress rehearsal on Saturday, will feature robots performing martial arts routines, participating in comedy sketches and interacting with performers on stage.

Ordinary people from across the country will also take center stage, from World Skills champions demonstrating their craft to farmers celebrating the harvest with songs and dances, and young content creators contributing creative ideas and short films.

Regional segments will showcase China's diversity with ice festivities in Harbin, global fusion in Yiwu, opera in Hefei and intangible heritage in Yibin, while musical performances by Li Jian, Faye Wong, John Legend and Helene Rolles will celebrate reunion, shared experiences and human connection.

The gala, also known as Chunwan in Chinese, reaches far beyond China. Pre-Chinese New Year events have brought Chunwan elements to cities across the U.S., Russia, France, Italy and Africa, while festive imagery has appeared on landmarks from London to Barcelona and Auckland.

For Chinese audiences at home and abroad, the show remains a beloved ritual, accompanying families as they welcome the Year of the Horse with joy and a sense of shared tradition.

National phenomenon

Chunwan has been broadcast live annually since 1983 and is seen as a major cultural symbol for the Chinese New Year celebrations in China. Initially launched to provide a shared festive experience for families across the country, the program quickly became a national phenomenon.

Over the decades, it has evolved from a simple variety show featuring songs and dances into a multimedia spectacle that blends comedy sketches, acrobatics, musical performances and celebrity appearances, reflecting both the modernization of Chinese entertainment and the enduring appeal of Chinese New Year traditions.

Each year, millions of viewers gather with family members to watch the gala together, often after enjoying the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner. This practice has become a modern ritual, symbolizing family reunion, good fortune and continuity of cultural heritage.

The grand event also serves as a cultural mirror, reflecting the aspirations, humor and evolving lifestyles of Chinese society. It reinforces a sense of shared identity, connecting urban and rural audiences alike in a collective celebration of the Chinese New Year.