The Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province has unveiled the 2026 "Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Chinese New Year" celebration series, with more than 100 themed activities across the province, offering a rich experience for tourists throughout the Spring Festival holiday.

The announced activities will span all 11 cities in Shanxi and run from late January to late March. These events emphasize regional characteristics and public participation, bringing ICH out of museums and integrating it into everyday life.

The series will kick off in Taiyuan on Feb 10 with an "ICH Market" featuring live demonstrations and hands-on crafts, including paper cutting, dough modeling, and shadow puppetry. Following this, 12 additional events, including folk performances and ancient city lantern festivals, will take place across districts and major scenic spots, allowing residents and tourists to relive traditional Chinese New Year customs in a festive atmosphere.

Datong will host six events under the theme "Heritage Opera Welcomes Chinese New Year", showcasing the rhythmic charm of northern Shanxi opera. Xinzhou will focus on promoting the Xinzhou Ancient City by presenting 10 heritage projects from various counties to create a mobile folk museum. 

Lyuliang will hold six events, including the Guandi Temple Fair, while Jinzhong, known as the birthplace of Shanxi merchant culture, will offer a particularly rich program with 35 ICH folk projects, ranging from traditional temple fairs to craft workshops, fully showcasing the depth of Jinzhong culture.

By embedding ICH into tourism and consumer experiences, the celebrations aim to make heritage visible, tangible, and participatory, encouraging young people to engage with ancient arts and breathe new life into traditional cultures.