A series of festive events, from intangible heritage performances in Jieyang to spectacular lantern displays in the Greater Bay Area, are engulfing Guangdong province, marking the start of 2026 with a unique cultural flair. Here are some spots where the festive vibe is impossible to miss.
Lingnan Impression Garden, Guangzhou (岭南印象园)
During the New Year holiday, Lingnan Impression Garden offers a rich program of Lingnan folk culture. A major highlight is an all-female lion dance troupe from the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games, with interactive sessions following each show. After nightfall, traditional fire performances, including molten iron fireworks and fire breathing, light up the park. Performances by the Guangdong Song and Dance Theatre, along with light shows and flame-free Kongming lanterns, create a festive holiday atmosphere.
(Photo: Lingnan Impression Garden)
Opening hours:
Daytime: 9:30 – 17:00 (last entry at 17:00)
Evening: 17:00 – 21:30, December 31, 2025 – January 25, 2026 (extended by 30 minutes on public holidays)
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Location: No. 1 Outer Ring Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou (广州市番禺区外环西路1号)
Gankeng Ancient Town, Shenzhen (甘坑古镇)
Gankeng Ancient Town has transformed into a floral-themed nightscape. By day, the town offers a tranquil village atmosphere, while after dark it lights up with flower-shaped lanterns, illuminated corridors, and firefly-style string lights. During the New Year holiday, traditional fire performances such as molten iron flower casting and fire pots take center stage, alongside folk shows, lantern blessings, flower boat displays, and interactive parades.
(Photo: Gankeng Ancient Town)
Event period: December 26, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Ticket: 38 yuan
Location: Gankeng Ancient Town, No. 18 Ganli Road, Longgang District, Shenzhen (深圳市龙岗区甘李路18号甘坑古镇)
Zhongshan Movie Town (中山影视城)
Zhongshan Movie Town welcomes the New Year with a traditional-style garden fair. Throughout the day, visitors can watch lion dances, ribbon dragon performances, and acrobatic folk shows. As night falls, molten iron flower casting and fire pot performances illuminate the sky, while bonfire gatherings add warmth and community spirit. The scenic spot also features immersive light shows, traditional games, fish-lantern parades, and even scheduled artificial snowfall, offering a playful holiday atmosphere.
(Photo: Zhongshan Movie Town)
Event period: December 31, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Opening hours: 08:30 – 22:00
Ticket: 39.9 yuan
Location: No. 85 Cuiheng Avenue, Nanlang Subdistrict, Zhongshan (中山市南朗街道翠亨大道85号)
Chikan Town Resort, Jiangmen (赤坎华侨古镇)
Chikan Town Resort marks the arrival of 2026 with a ceremonial New Year celebration. On the night of January 1, Mandarin and Cantonese New Year concerts will be staged alongside fireworks and drone displays. Throughout the holiday, visitors can enjoy daily performances, including the large-scale live show "Fire Show", which incorporates molten iron flower casting and fireworks. Extended festive lighting, snowfall effects, and seasonal installations further enhance the celebratory mood.
(Photo: Chikan Town Resort)
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Ticket: 150 yuan
Location: No. 18, Didong Road, Chikan Town, Kaiping County-level City, Jiangmen (江门市开平市赤坎镇堤东路18号)
Jieyang Yingge Culture Week (揭阳英歌文化周)
As the highlight of Jieyang's first Yingge Culture Week, a large-scale Yingge dance showcase will take place at 20:00 on January 1 at Jieyang Tower Square (揭阳楼广场). Sixteen teams from eastern Guangdong cities will perform together, presenting the powerful rhythms and formations of this traditional "war dance." Additional Yingge-themed activities and a cultural creative market will follow during the holiday, offering hands-on experiences and local crafts.
(Photo: Jieyang Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Main performance: 20:00 January 1, 2026
Additional events: January 1–3, 2026
Ticket: Free admission
Location: Jieyang Tower Square, Rongcheng District, Jieyang (揭阳市榕城区揭阳楼广场)
Zhanjiang Seafood Festival (湛江海鲜美食节)
Known as China's "Capital of Seafood Cuisine," Zhanjiang hosts its annual Seafood Food Festival at Jinsha Bay Sea-view Corridor during the New Year holiday. From 15:00 to 22:00, visitors can savor grilled oysters, prawns, conchs, squid, and a wide range of local snacks, desserts, coffee, and milk tea.
(Photo: Zhanjiang Fabu)
With the newly opened Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway, travel to Zhanjiang is now more convenient. A special tasting zone for high-speed rail passengers offers discount coupons upon presentation of train tickets. After dining, visitors can enjoy a seaside stroll along the bay.
Event period: December 31, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Time: 15:00–22:00 daily
Location: Fengche Square, Jinsha Bay Sea-view Corridor, Chikan District, Zhanjiang (湛江金沙湾观海长廊风车广场)
Author | Huang Xinying
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
