The Spring Festival Gala's sub-venue in Hefei，east China's Anhui Province highlighted the unique and innovative stage design, as well as the lighting based on cutting-edge drone technology.
Hosted by the China Media Group (CMG), the long-running gala this year features four different remote sub-venues in addition to the main stage in Beijing. Taking the grand show to new locations each year has become a new tradition, shining a spotlight on more of China's varied landscapes and cultural traditions.
In Hefei, the unique characteristics of Anhui Province were brought to life with performances combining dance themed on traditional Chinese ink and Huangmei opera. A stunning technological display featuring low-flying drones highlighted the harmonious fusion of technology and culture, illuminating the rich history and modern dynamism of the region.
The main stage for the Hefei sub-venue was set up inside Luogang Park. Covering an area of 12.7 square kilometers, it is currently the world's largest urban park. It is not only a cultural landmark of Hefei but also a site for the application of technologies such as low-altitude flight and autonomous driving.
"The investments and goals that Hefei is currently pursuing are all based on a forward-looking concept. So I was thinking, with Hefei's broad vision, could we take the inspiration from the eyesight, and create an 'Eye of Beautiful Anhui,'" said Zhang Min, head organizer of the CMG Spring Festival Gala Hefei sub-venue.
The "sky-ground matrix" formed by low-altitude aircraft arrays above the main stage left a deep impression on everyone. This was also the first time that "flying lights" technology had been used on the Spring Festival Gala stage.
To ensure the smooth and synchronized operation of multiple aircraft, the lighting and technical teams tackled numerous technical challenges, employing wireless remote control for intelligent lighting control to perfectly coordinate with the matrix performance on the ground stage.
"This year, we designed 16 'flying lights'. They adopt intelligent and digital control systems that combine many wireless technologies, including advanced, domestically produced technologies in the field of lighting, developed by the Chinese people alone," said Yang Hao, chief light designer of Hefei sub-venue.
Besides Hefei, the other three sub-venues for the Spring Festival Gala this year are Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang in northeast China known as the "ice city," Yiwu in east China's Zhejiang, which has been dubbed "the world's supermarket," and Yibin in southwestern Sichuan Province, known for its ancient architecture and picturesque scenery along the banks of the Yangtze River.
Spring Festival Gala Hefei sub-venue highlights sci-tech elements
As another dazzling China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala drew to a close on early Tuesday morning, sign language performers infused the closing song "Unforgettable Tonight" with heartfelt emotion, allowing viewers with disabilities to share in the celebration and experience every touching note alongside millions of families across China.
For four decades, the final moments of the gala have belonged to "Unforgettable Tonight." For generations, the eve of the Chinese New Year isn't complete until its familiar melody fills living rooms. "Unforgettable Tonight" is not just a song but a cherished tradition that carries the weight of a nation's shared memories and hopes.
Inside a modest rehearsal room, the magic of "barrier-free broadcasting" came alive, as the production team worked to ensure that the visually and hearing-impaired could experience the full energy and emotion of the gala, just like everyone else.
"It might look like sign language is just a set of gestures. But it's so much more. It includes facial expressions, the dynamics, and the tempo of each movement. Every detail expresses the rhythms, melodies, and emotions in the music. As you can see, for this year's 'Unforgettable Tonight' with a lighter tone, the performers made it look effortless, swaying gently as they signed. But if the style changes, so does our signing. We can make it powerful too," said Zhao Zhihui, head of barrier-free broadcasting for the gala.
Last year, the team was challenged by an operatic version of the song, and the sign language mirrored the grandeur: delivered with robust energy and the muscular grace of Chinese opera. But in 2026, the approach was intentionally more intimate. Performers strove to capture even the subtlest change in mood.
"When it was the opera version, our signing was powerful and vigorous, capturing the strength and depth of traditional Chinese opera. This year, we wanted every delicate shift on stage to be fully shared by our visually and hearing-impaired audiences," Zhao shared.
During rehearsal, as the melody of "Unforgettable Tonight" flowed through the room and interpreters began their own choreography, the song revealed a beauty beyond sound and lyrics. Their hands, faces, and movements became a new language of expression, resonating with everyone present.
"It's not really about singing a song. It's about channeling all the emotions we've built up through so many years of the Chinese New Year. The gestures required for this song are simple, just a few basic movements. But every time you perform them, it feels different. Especially the final sign, the emotions are always deeper. Because that moment carries several months of hard work. When you finally succeed and think about 'Unforgettable Tonight,' you realize, what is 'tonight'? It's actually the past months of preparation and effort, all leading to that one final moment when we share the Gala's wonderful performances with every single member of our audience," said Zhao.
Sign language performers bring fresh life to beloved song at Spring Festival Gala
