The Hami City Cultural and Museum Institute Spring Festival Activities: The Year of the Horse New Year Special Exhibition is Coming
During the 2026 Spring Festival, the Hami City Cultural and Museum Institute uses the "horse" as a theme to launch a series of cultural activities, blending historical heritage, intangible cultural heritage inheritance, and New Year customs to create a warm and auspicious cultural Chinese New Year.
【"Horse Charm from the Past · Warm New Year Pillow" Handmade Pillow Experience】
On February 10, 2026, held at the Hami City Museum. Inspired by the museum's collection of cultural relics and traditional horse patterns, participants will create soft pillows through fabric crafts, immersing themselves in the beauty of traditional Chinese patterns and festive warmth.
【"Riding Horses in the Tianshan Mountains—A Millennium Pact Between Hami and Horses" Special Exhibition】
From February 15 to May 15, 2026, exhibited in the temporary exhibition hall on the fourth floor of the Hami City Museum. The exhibition features five major themes: rock paintings, archaeology, the Silk Road, folk customs, and military achievements, showcasing over 300 artifacts including the latest archaeological findings from the Jianjiapo site. It systematically presents the horse culture of Hami from prehistoric times to the modern era, witnessing the integration of Silk Road civilization and the historical depth of the Chinese nation community.
【"Galloping into the New Year" Leather Red Envelope Handmade Experience】
On February 17, 2026 (Chinese New Year's Day), held in the youth activity room on the fourth floor of the museum, targeting youth aged 6 to 16. Using the museum's "horse" elements to design intangible cultural heritage leather red envelopes, which serve both as New Year’s money holders and artistic collectibles, conveying blessings through delicate craftsmanship and kicking off a "full horsepower" new year.
【"Cultural Museum Welcomes Horses · Feed the Horse and Receive Blessings" Interactive Games】
From February 17 to March 3, 2026 (from Chinese New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival), the first 30 visitors each day can participate in fun games like "Catch the Horse in the Year of the Horse" and "Feed the Horse to Receive Blessings," winning creative cultural gifts and enjoying a joyful New Year atmosphere.
【"Intangible Cultural Heritage Celebrates the New Year · Tasting the Chinese New Year" New Year Exhibition】
From February 13 to 25, 2026, held in the fourth-floor exhibition hall of the Hami City Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center. The exhibition focuses on exquisite intangible cultural heritage items such as embroidery, gourd carving, paper cutting, and rubbings. On February 12, 19, 20, and 21, there will be hands-on craft experience zones inviting visitors to create with their own hands and experience the authentic New Year customs through intangible cultural heritage warmth. A concurrent intangible cultural heritage creative market will bring traditional crafts into daily life.
【"Horse Steps into Spring Breeze to Explore Hami" Social Education Activity】
On February 19, 2026 (the third day of the lunar new year) at 10:30 AM, based on the "Riding Horses in the Tianshan Mountains" special exhibition, the museum will offer aesthetic education experiences such as Song brocade pearl painting and stone painting, combined with interactive games like "Catch the Horse" and "Paste the Lucky Horse," naturally blending museum science popularization with festive fun.
【"Silk Road Music and Dance Welcoming the New Year" Intangible Cultural Heritage Study】
On February 20, 2026 (the fourth day of the lunar new year) at 10:30 AM, held in the lobby on the second floor of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center. This includes Mukam musical instrument experiences, Sainaim dance lessons, and intangible cultural heritage knowledge explanations, providing a multi-sensory immersive experience to appreciate the vibrant vitality of Hami’s ethnic music and dance.
【"Clay Charm Brings Blessings · Pottery Horse Welcomes Spring" Clay Sculpture and Pottery Experience】
On February 21, 2026 (the fifth day of the lunar new year) at 10:30 AM, held in the youth activity room on the fourth floor of the museum. Participants will make zodiac pottery horses by kneading clay, shaping, throwing, and trimming, expressing New Year blessings through the warmth of clay and focused craftsmanship.
【"Celebrate the New Year in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum" Immersive Performance】
On February 19 and 21, 2026 (the third and fifth days of the lunar new year), presented on the first-floor stage of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center. This live performance showcases representative intangible cultural heritage projects of Hami, allowing the audience to watch, feel, and participate, touching the cultural texture in an authentic context.
【"Rattan Lanterns Illuminate the Lantern Festival · Horse Shadows Celebrate the Lantern Festival" Rattan Weaving Lantern DIY】
On March 3, 2026 (the Lantern Festival) at 10:30 AM, held in the youth activity room on the fourth floor of the museum. Using intangible cultural heritage rattan weaving techniques to create Year of the Horse themed lanterns, accompanied by lantern riddles and fun games, lighting up the joy of reunion during the Lantern Festival with flickering light and shadow.
【"Mobile Museum" Grassroots Touring Exhibition】
On February 9, 11, and 12, 2026, the exhibition will visit communities and military camps, bringing high-quality exhibitions such as "Flying to the Cretaceous" and "Hami Ancient Civilization Display" to the public, delivering history lessons to the people and fostering patriotism and national unity.
Additionally, visitors born in the Year of the Horse, those with the surname Ma, those who follow the museum’s new media platforms on-site, and participants in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center’s lucky spin can receive exclusive creative cultural gifts at designated points from Chinese New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival.
Come to Hami for a warm encounter between the Year of the Horse New Year and a millennium of cultural heritage!