New Year’s Eve highlights: Karry Wang dazzles with a water-stage dance; Jackson Wang joins TNT for a special collaboration.

With only a few hours left until 2026, the festive mood is everywhere. As usual, major TV networks rolled out their New Year’s Eve galas, bringing in a packed lineup of celebrities to celebrate the countdown with viewers.

To compete for ratings, the networks went all-in—big-name stars, trending idols, and even cross-group collaborations that created plenty of “dream team” moments.

One standout was Jackson Wang’s surprise collaboration with TNT (Teens in Times). The performance delivered strong stage energy, and as the senior artist, Jackson looked confident and commanding throughout. A fun twist came from the on-screen height contrast: standing among the younger members, he appeared shorter than expected, which amused many viewers and quickly became a lighthearted talking point.

Karry Wang (Wang Junkai) also drew major attention at Jiangsu TV’s gala. The moment he appeared, the crowd erupted. Known for his singing-and-dancing skills, he brought a high-impact stage with water elements and intense choreography—clean execution, strong presence, and solid coordination with his dance partner—turning it into one of the night’s most memorable performances.

Of course, every gala has both highlights and moments that spark debate. The reunion of Chopstick Brothers, performing hits like Little Apple and Father, was nostalgic, but some viewers felt their live vocals were less stable than before, leading to mixed reactions online.

Meanwhile, actress Chen Duling received praise for her hosting debut, thanks to clear diction, steady pacing, and a poised stage manner. There was also chatter about Li Xiang and her daughter Wang Shiling being spotted at a concert—another small but buzzy moment in the night’s social-media conversation.

All in all, New Year’s Eve galas always bring plenty to watch—and the run-up to 2026 delivered an especially long list of headline-worthy moments.