Beijing's 798 Art Zone underlined its reputation as the Chinese capital's premier New Year's Eve destination on Wednesday night, as approximately 130,000 visitors braved the cold to ring in 2026 at the iconic art district.

The "Start New Year with Art–New Year's Eve Countdown at 798" built on the success of 2025, when the zone welcomed over 100,000 guests. The extravaganza featured a rich medley of activities fusing art, dance, light shows, live music, markets, and intangible cultural heritage performances.

"We believe that as the New Year approaches, all hopes for the future deserve to be honored with a beautiful ritual," said Guo Huaping, president of Beijing 798 Culture and Technology Co.

"Therefore, we upgraded our celebration to ensure that visitors experience not just the passing of time, but a shared sense of emotional resonance through the fusion of art and technology."