Pingtan, China's second international tourism island off the coast of Fujian Province, welcomed the arrival of 2026 with a large-scale New Year's Eve celebration marked by fireworks, music and immersive romantic events.

On the evening of December 31, 2025, a New Year countdown event themed "Loving You Forever" unfolded at the Pingtan International Performing Arts Center and along Ruyi Lake. Visitors from across China gathered under a sky ablaze with fireworks and filled with live music to usher in the new year.

The highlight of the night was a four-season-themed fireworks display. Against the night sky, bursts of emerald green, crimson red and golden light bloomed in succession, evoking the cycle of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Spectators made wishes for the year ahead as the fireworks illuminated the lakefront.

A fire dance performance added dramatic flair to the evening, with flames tracing arcs through the air and lighting up the faces of onlookers. Dancers from Taiwan, dressed in traditional costumes and masks, performed to rhythmic drumming, bringing a strong sense of cultural heritage to the stage. Performer Zhuang Zhenli said the team hoped to offer "a different New Year's Eve experience" and extended wishes for "dreams to come true" and for closer ties across the Taiwan Straits.

Music played a central role throughout the celebration. At the Pingtan International Performing Arts Center, the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra from Belgium performed a 2026 New Year concert, offering audiences an evening of classical elegance. Outdoors, an open stage pulsed with energy as bands and dance groups rotated throughout the night. The mix of electronic beats and live performances drew a massive, energetic crowd. "You just get swept up in it," said Wang Xiaoqian, a visitor from Fuzhou. "Between the music and sea of people, your daily stress just vanishes. It's pure release."

Romantic installations transformed the city into a winter fairytale. Artificial snow drifted through the "Snowy Night Rose Forest," while couples and families strolled along the well-known 520 Romantic Road, a popular photo spot. Landmarks such as the 1,314-meter Love Road, large-scale confession screens and rose-themed art installations became focal points for visitors sharing the moment online.

Film screenings provided pockets of cozy intimacy where audiences lost themselves in romantic reels. The atmosphere shifted dramatically into exuberant celebration as interactive parades erupted with energy. Playful clowns and giant mascots danced through throngs of revelers, infusing the plaza with carnival spirit.

Food stalls offering snacks and specialties from different regions added warmth to the winter night. "I came here especially with my roommate," said Nan Yixuan, an 18-year-old visitor from Fuzhou."I wanted to mark my first New Year's Eve as an adult with a special memory."

The celebration combined spectacle, performance and everyday joy, offering residents and visitors alike a memorable way to step into the new year.