Celebrating New Year 2026 Amidst Art and Culture in Beijing's 798 Art District
As 2025 came to a close, Beijing's vibrant 798 Art District transformed into an outdoor venue for an extraordinary New Year celebration, attracting an impressive crowd of nearly 130,000 attendees. The event, titled 'Start the New Year with Art: Countdown to 2026 at 798', spanned across 520,000 square meters and offered an innovative alternative to conventional New Year countdowns, integrating contemporary art, industrial heritage, and community engagement.
With approximately 200 galleries, museums, performance spaces, and businesses extending their hours, the district created a unique nocturnal cultural ecosystem. Visitors experienced a blend of artistic exhibitions, live music, light installations, and creative markets, which blurred the lines between culture, commerce, and public space.
This year's countdown deviated from the traditional single clock format; instead, six synchronized countdown sites were established throughout the district. One of the standout features was located at the famous chimney number 6, where 'Woven Light Chronicles,' a digital art installation led by artist Wang Zhigang, transformed the historic industrial landmark into a vertical canvas of light. Nearby, the grand '79 Tank' hosted 'Endless Circle,' a temporary light installation projected against concrete and steel.
Visitors enjoyed the countdown from various vantage points, thanks to large LED displays at Power Square and projections across the walls and arches of former factories. Public participation was key to the event's atmosphere, with a newly expanded installation displaying the message 'Dear Beijing, Happy New Year,' serving as a popular photo spot. Illuminated trees showcased handwritten wishes from guests, while playful installations invited attendees to symbolically release last year's worries.
Musical performances enlivened the district, with folk-rock band Wu Tiao Ren and electronic group Nova Heart headlining the main stage. Interdisciplinary works combined live music, visual arts, and dance, alongside traditional cultural displays such as classical dance, lantern parades resembling fish, and contemporary interpretations of lion dances.
Acknowledged as a national nighttime cultural and tourism hub, the 798 Art District continues to position art as a driving force for urban vitality. Several installations from the event will remain on display throughout the holidays, extending the celebration into the early days of 2026. The fusion of modern art, technology, and community spirit during this New Year's Eve showcased a forward-thinking approach to cultural festivities, embracing creativity and connection in a post-pandemic world.
For more information, contact: [email protected]
With approximately 200 galleries, museums, performance spaces, and businesses extending their hours, the district created a unique nocturnal cultural ecosystem. Visitors experienced a blend of artistic exhibitions, live music, light installations, and creative markets, which blurred the lines between culture, commerce, and public space.
This year's countdown deviated from the traditional single clock format; instead, six synchronized countdown sites were established throughout the district. One of the standout features was located at the famous chimney number 6, where 'Woven Light Chronicles,' a digital art installation led by artist Wang Zhigang, transformed the historic industrial landmark into a vertical canvas of light. Nearby, the grand '79 Tank' hosted 'Endless Circle,' a temporary light installation projected against concrete and steel.
Visitors enjoyed the countdown from various vantage points, thanks to large LED displays at Power Square and projections across the walls and arches of former factories. Public participation was key to the event's atmosphere, with a newly expanded installation displaying the message 'Dear Beijing, Happy New Year,' serving as a popular photo spot. Illuminated trees showcased handwritten wishes from guests, while playful installations invited attendees to symbolically release last year's worries.
Musical performances enlivened the district, with folk-rock band Wu Tiao Ren and electronic group Nova Heart headlining the main stage. Interdisciplinary works combined live music, visual arts, and dance, alongside traditional cultural displays such as classical dance, lantern parades resembling fish, and contemporary interpretations of lion dances.
Acknowledged as a national nighttime cultural and tourism hub, the 798 Art District continues to position art as a driving force for urban vitality. Several installations from the event will remain on display throughout the holidays, extending the celebration into the early days of 2026. The fusion of modern art, technology, and community spirit during this New Year's Eve showcased a forward-thinking approach to cultural festivities, embracing creativity and connection in a post-pandemic world.
For more information, contact: [email protected]
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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