The Happy Ice and Snow Festival kicked off at Daheihe military culture park in Hohhot city, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, northern China, on 31/12/2025.

The event attracted numerous visitors eager to welcome the new year 2026. This marks the 5th time Hohhot city has hosted this festival.

In addition to exploring ice and snow sculptures, visitors can enjoy spectacular iron flower performances.

This traditional Chinese folk art form involves performers throwing molten iron into the air, creating sparkling fireworks that resemble blooming flowers.

Visitors stroll amidst sparkling lights at Daheihe military culture park.

A girl plays on an ice slide at the festival.

Visitors can also watch penguin performances, admire lanterns, and enjoy local specialties.

The Happy Ice and Snow Festival is part of a series of events welcoming 2026, themed "Hohhot Ignites: Citywide New Year Festival", running from 27/12/2025 to 3/1/2026.

The photo shows a panoramic view of Hohhot city after the snowfall on 13/12/2025.

This year's Hohhot festival features three distinct themed routes: The first is a cultural and historical axis spanning over 6 km, connecting nine locations, including Dazhao square.

Next is a modern cultural axis of similar length, running along Silk Road avenue and encompassing seven sites, including the Hohhot sculpture museum.

Finally, a trendy route, 4,2 km long, focuses on shopping districts, attracting young participants.

Thanh Tam (Photos: Xinhua, AFP)