HENGDIAN, China, February 8, 2026 — As the countdown to the 2026 Chinese New Year gets underway, Hengdian World Studios has lit up its annual lantern exhibition, a breathtaking showcase of culture and festivity spanning the city.
Every year, the lantern fair converts dozens of Hengdian’s most beloved scenic spots into vivid light installations for residents and visitors during the Spring Festival season.
This year’s theme draws inspiration from Chinese fantasy and film culture, with the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing) as its conceptual foundation. Across the Studios, 22 large-scale themed lantern installations are organized into four immersive dreamscapes: Human Realm, Spirits, Immortals, and Future.
Festival highlights include intangible cultural heritage fire performances, traditional Chinese magic shows, and Chinese acrobatics. Starting February 7, over 300 costumed characters will take to the streets in traditional-style parades, alongside more than 360 daily scheduled performances.
Last year’s event centered on Song dynasty aesthetics. The festival was also selected to represent Jinhua, Zhejiang, at the nationally televised CCTV Lantern Festival Gala, appearing alongside major Chinese cities like Harbin, Nanjing, Xi’an, and Kaifeng.
This year, Hengdian World Studios has expanded its festival offerings further, sharing immersive film worlds and traditional parades with guests.
From February 17 (Lunar New Year’s Day) to February 23, the six-day New Year OST Music Festival will bring beloved film and television soundtracks to the stage, adding warm, familiar musical nights to the holiday.
In addition to the lantern festival, Hengdian International Circus City will host a Clown Carnival where guests can interact with acrobats and magicians. At Yuanming Garden’s Dragon Lantern Cultural Festival, daily dragon lantern performances are complemented by hands-on traditional lantern-making activities.
During the festival, Hengdian Travel Photo Services will also debut a cinematic “Enter-the-Drama Family Portrait” product, combining film-set backdrops and professional photography to capture relaxed, meaningful family moments.
Press contact: rebecca.bao@hengdian-group.com
