From open-air fairs to sports events, an array of activities have been held across China to celebrate the start of 2026, creating a joyful atmosphere for New Year holiday revelers.
Beginning on the New Year's Day, 23 districts and counties in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, has launched more than 70 events with strong local characteristics, including banquets, folk performances, science and technology experience programs and fairs, to stimulate the vigor and vitality of holiday consumption. Organizers say the events will last until the end of the traditional Spring Festival holiday season in February.
So far during the New Year holiday season which will run until Saturday, the Xinjin District of Chengdu has organized an indoor fair and a large, open-air banquet, while the Wenjiang District of the city has held an open-air fair, featuring street foods and choir performances.
"Approximately 130 local enterprises have set up exhibition booths at the fair. We're expecting 120,000 to 130,000 tourist visits during the New Year holiday," said Wu Bo, deputy director of the publicity department of the Wenjiang District's Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee.
Meanwhile, cities in central China's Hubei Province have launched over 1,000 cultural, tourism, commerce and sporting events.
A shopping mall in the provincial capital city of Wuhan has set up a stage featuring an eight-meter-high installation with thousands of lanterns to illuminate the night.
Other cities including Xiangyang, Jingzhou, Shiyan and Xiaogan have launched promotional activities covering festive items, food and trendy toys, which has significantly driven up customer traffic and sales in shopping malls.
"We estimate that our shopping mall will receive more than 200,000 customer visits during the New Year holiday, with the sales expected to surpass 30 million yuan (about 4.29 million U.S. dollars)," said Li Tao, senior manager of a shopping mall.
Cities across north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have launched a variety of winter-themed activities.
In Arxan City, a five-a-side soccer tournament has been held on a snow-filled pitch, bringing together 14 teams of over 220 enthusiasts from Inner Mongolia and four neighboring provinces.
"I'm very happy that I can meet a lot of people who love soccer, and we are together welcoming the arrival of the New Year while enjoying sport," said Wang Lei, a soccer fan.
On the New Year's Day, an ice-and-snow themed park officially opened in Xilinhot City of the autonomous region, with massive snow and ice sculptures and dazzling firework displays being a feast for the eyes.
"I was impressed by the spectacular firework displays. This event makes everything more festive," said Ms. Zhao, a tourist.
Festive activities held across China to celebrate New Year holiday
