International stars lit up the stage at China Media Group's (CMG) 2026 Spring Festival Gala on lunar New Year's Eve, marking the most globally diverse edition in the event's four-decade history.
As audiences across China welcomed the Year of the Horse on Tuesday, the hours-long spectacle featured iconic collaborations: Lionel Richie and Jackie Chan paired in singing a song; American artist John Legend, French singer Helene Rolles, and Irish band Westlife performed songs that are not only hits in their home countries but also widely loved in China.
The gala's vibrant blend of global music, dance, and acrobatics underscored China's cultural openness and the worldwide appeal of its most-watched annual broadcast.
"It sounds amazing, like a true feast for the ears and eyes. And it feels very international," said a Beijing resident.
"It was so cool to see many foreign friends on stage, I hope one day Taylor Swift can come to the gala," said another interviewee.
Beyond hit songs, acrobats from Austria, dancers from Hungary, and a flamenco troupe from Spain also brought their artistry to the gala.
"The audience response has been overwhelmingly positive. This year, the international content has become even more abundant and diverse, featuring not only songs but also dances and acrobatics," said Yu Lei, chief director of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala.
International performers have long been part of the gala, from early comedy acts to global stars like Canadian singer Celine Dion at the 2013 Spring Festival Gala and French actress Sophie Marceau at the 2014 Spring Festival Gala.
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.
International stars dazzle China’s Spring Festival Gala
International stars dazzle China’s Spring Festival Gala
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
