At 8 p.m. Beijing time on Monday, February 16, the 2026 Chinese Spring Festival Gala, organized by China Media Group (CMG), commenced in Beijing. The event is being broadcast globally via CGTN in 85 languages—including English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian—across television and online networks, with the cooperation of over 3,300 media outlets in more than 200 countries and regions.
This year marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar. In traditional Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes self-improvement and progress. The theme of this year’s gala is: “A Superb Steed Gallops Forward—Its Momentum Unstoppable.” It aims to inspire audiences to pursue their dreams with relentless effort.
For the first time, the gala employs AI-generated content (AIGC) technology to create the spectacle of thousands of horses running in unison. In a performance inspired by the Silk Road, ancient mural horses were brought to life onstage, combining historical aesthetics with modern innovation.
The Spring Festival Gala is one of China’s most popular cultural events. Since its inception in 1983, it has been broadcast live on television every year, becoming an inseparable part of reunion celebrations for Chinese families worldwide. Today, the Spring Festival is recognized as an official holiday in nearly 20 countries and regions, and approximately one-fifth of the world’s population celebrates the festival in various ways.
Source: Subarna-Touhid-Subarna, China Media Group.