Traditional folk dances from home and abroad bring rhythm, passion to main stage of Spring Festival Gala

A rich tapestry of traditional dances drawn from diverse cultures brought some rhythmic artistry to the main stage of the China Media Group (CMG)'s Spring Festival Gala in Beijing on Monday.

The dazzling dance display included the Hani ethnic group's wooden clog dance and the Lisu ethnic group's foot-stomping Achi Mugua dance from China, as well as Spanish flamenco and Hungarian folk dances, highlighting the broad appeal of global dance traditions.

Blending multiple folk styles, the energetic medley performance unfolded as a vivid multicultural spectacle, alive with color, rhythm and shared expression.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for the Chinese people, and watching the Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan," is a cherished part of the celebrations every year in hundreds of millions of Chinese homes.

Since first being broadcast in 1983, the gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program on the planet.

The Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024.

The 2026 Spring Festival falls on Tuesday this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse.

Traditional folk dances from home and abroad bring rhythm, passion to main stage of Spring Festival Gala

A montage showcasing traditional Chinese folk customs was aired during the 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Monday evening. The segment, titled "Horse Year Market", heralded the arrival of the Year of the Horse, which begins on Tuesday.

The sequence recreated the atmosphere of a holiday market commonly seen across China during the Spring Festival season.

Artisans shaped molten sugar into animal figures, a craft practiced for generations. Vendors prepared tanghulu -- skewered hawthorn berries coated in hardened syrup -- a popular festive snack.

Red paper-cuttings featuring horse motifs were displayed alongside lantern installations. Clay horse figurines were molded by hand, while families hung red lanterns to welcome the new year.

The segment ended with viewers from various countries extending greetings in Chinese and wishing audiences "good luck in the Year of the Horse," underscoring the gala's broad international viewership.

First broadcast in 1983, the annual Spring Festival Gala has become a hallmark of Chinese New Year celebrations in China. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched annual television program, it attracts more than 1billion viewers each year.

Folk traditions featured in "Horse Year Market" gala segment