China's 2026 Spring Festival box office, including presales, topped 2 billion yuan (about 290 million U.S. dollars) by Wednesday afternoon, four days into the nine-day holiday, according to industry data.
China's Spring Festival holiday period, which began on Sunday, is one of the most important periods in the world's second-largest film market.
A diverse lineup of films has debuted during this year's holiday movie season, including comedy, action, animation, and science fiction, offering audiences a rich and varied cinematic feast.
China's 2026 Spring Festival box office exceeds 2 bln yuan
New York's skyline glowed with a festive touch on Sunday evening as the Dream Wheel, widely known as the "Eye of New York," was illuminated in dazzling red to mark the Chinese New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Horse.
Towering over "American Dream" -- the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the northeastern United States -- the landmark ferris wheel is the complex's crowning architectural feature.
As hundreds of guests and local residents counted down in unison at a lighting ceremony, the Dream Wheel gradually lit up, erupting in a brilliant and celebratory Chinese red. The radiant display painted the sky above the venue, sending blessings for the Year of the Horse -- symbolizing hope, good fortune, and strength -- across the greater New York area.
"It's a great pleasure to have the Chinese people to be near us. I've been in China myself more than 20 times and I love Chinese people -- really respect the Chinese people very much. Happy New Year to all of the Chinese people," said Galmez, an invited guest.
The promotional video for the China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala was also screened at the event. The festive visuals captured the attention of local shoppers and tourists, many of whom paused to watch and pulled out their phones to record the special moment.
As the reach of the Gala's promo extends to more iconic overseas landmarks, Chinese New Year traditions are being shared with global audiences in increasingly vivid and accessible ways -- bringing the warmth of the festival closer to people around the world.
"New Year is to -- you build it upon each other to make the world a better place. It's a new start, like a new day always is, but it's a Year of the Horse now. You're valuable people. You're amazing, beautiful, talented people who have carried tradition and art form down to us. We appreciate that greatly," said Morgan, a local resident.
"Dream Wheel" lit in red to celebrate Chinese New Year in New York
