Trends Meet Traditions: Celebrate Chinese New Year at Chaowai

For the 2026 Spring Festival, the Year of the Horse, the Chaowai block in Chaoyang District has rolled out the Trendy Chaoyang Urban Culture Fair (潮朝阳·潮庙会). In collaboration with the nearby business areas, this series of events comprises temple fairs, markets, park tours, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and performances, aiming to create a one-stop cultural, shopping, and tourism experience.

The event series started on February 10 and will run until March 8. Visitors to the UIC block can meet more than 10 "stars", including Menglan, the beloved giant panda known online as the "Third Prince of Xizhimen" from the Beijing Zoo, Hehua (also a giant panda) from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Bing Dwen Dwen, the 2022 Winter Olympics mascot, and POP MART's signature character MOLLY.
The block now features nearly 100 panda-themed installations, along with artistic lanterns, pop-up photo-taking spots, festive market stalls, and a tech-powered interactive parade. In collaboration with Douyin, the event creates a "Heartbeat Block" (心动街区), offering locals and visitors an urban destination for the Spring Festival holiday.
At Dongyue Cultural Plaza, the "New Year Treasures" (新春好物间) market showcases regional specialties and festive products from across China. Highlights include McDonald's food truck featuring its four mascots, an AI-powered unmanned beverage station of SMYZE (尚饮), stores with panda-themed trendy goods, and the Suplay pop-up shop at THE BOX B.
Dongyue Temple, where the Beijing Dongyue Temple Fair (a national ICH item of China) is held, will serve as one of the two venues for the 2026 Chaoyang District Double Temple Fair (朝阳区双庙庙会). Scheduled to open between 8:30 and 17:30 from February 17 to 21, the fair will invite locals and visitors to enjoy a trendy New Year celebration within two ancient temples through exhibitions and interactive activities.
The fair will present renowned ICH performances from across China, including traditional Spring Festival performances in northern China, such as lion dance, xiaochehui (a folk parade with decorated carts), and chaozi (a wind-and-percussion ensemble). This time, the fair will introduce Chaoshan's Yingge dance (a national ICH item) from Guangdong Province. In the ICH handicraft zone, nationally recognized inheritors will demonstrate traditional skills such as those for making Lord Rabbit figurines, sugar paintings, and hairy monkey figurines, offering audiences an up-close look at the finesse of traditional craftsmanship.

From February 17 to 21, Ritan Park will add to the festive atmosphere with panda-related merchandise, ICH skills, Chinese-chic cultural products, and quality performances. The event there will consist of four major sections: Exhibition and Sightseeing, Fun in Spring, Premium New Year Market, and Performances.

 

A panda-themed interactive area will feature photo-taking installations, mascot interactions, culinary surprises, engaging games, and creative souvenirs, to create a playful experience for all ages. Lion dance and Yingge dance will blend the park's unique features with New Year elements to deliver an immersive folk cultural experience. Martial arts, Tai Chi, shuttlecock-kicking, and diabolo performances will be presented in succession, showcasing the vitality of traditional sports. Classic excerpts of the Peking Opera productions like "The Legend of the White Snake" (白蛇传) will be staged. Interactive clown performances are also scheduled to enhance the joyful and festive atmosphere. Together, they offer visitors a cultural feast.

This Spring Festival holiday, Chaoyang District invites everyone to join in a vibrant urban celebration filled with festive charm!

Source: Beijing Chaoyang