2025-2026 Chongqing New Year's Eve Guide for Foreign Travelers: 6 Unmissable Events & Stress-Free Tips
- Hansong Li
- Dec 29, 2025
- 6 min read
Planning your 2025-2026 Chongqing New Year's Eve trip and feeling stuck? Most online guides are messy, full of untranslated Chinese, or miss key details like how to get to venues or when to arrive to avoid crowds. That’s where this 2025-2026 Chongqing New Year's Eve Guide for Foreign Travelers comes in. I’ve helped hundreds of foreign visitors navigate China’s cities over 8 years, and I know exactly what you need to make your Chongqing New Year's Eve smooth and unforgettable. This guide breaks down 6 top events with clear English-Chinese venue names, transit tips, and honest recommendations—no guesswork, just fun. It also includes practical hacks for VPN stability and credit card compatibility, which are essential for Western travelers.
2025-2026 Chongqing New Year's Eve Top Events (Full Details)
All events are listed with English-Chinese names and addresses for easy Amap search. "Free" means 0 RMB entry. Prioritize events based on your style: classic, romantic, family-friendly, or hassle-free.
Event Name (English + Chinese) | Time | Venue (English + Pinyin + Chinese Explanation) | Ticket Price | Highlights & Must-Know Tips |
Jiefangbei New Year's Eve Countdown with Bell Ringing (解放碑跨年钟声倒计时) | Dec 31, 22:00 - Jan 1, 00:00 (Bell ring at midnight) | Jiefangbei Square, No. 100 Zourong Road, Yuzhong District (渝中区邹容路100号解放碑广场) – Chongqing's iconic commercial and cultural center, surrounded by shops and local eateries | Free | Highlights: 10k+ people countdown, midnight bell ring, themed light show. Tips: Arrive before 19:00 (core area closes after that); roads around (Bayi Road, Zhonghua Road) close to traffic at 18:00; 4 special buses available post-midnight; no flammables like hydrogen balloons allowed. |
Nanbin Road Drone Show (南滨路无人机表演) | Dec 31, 23:25 - 00:15 (About 50 mins) | Viewing Spots: Nanbin Road Bell Tower Square (南滨路钟楼广场), Tanzi Stone Square (弹子石广场), Chaotianmen Square (朝天门广场), Jiangbeizui (江北嘴) – All along the Yangtze River with stunning skyline views | Free | Highlights: 8,000 drones + water curtain light show, forming "2026" in the sky. Tips: Best views at Nanbin Road (frontal); Chaotianmen (good for photos with landmarks); Jiangbeizui (less crowded, side view); arrive 1 hour early to secure spot; bring rain gear (light rain expected). |
Sunac Joy Town "Snowy New Year's Eve" (融创渝乐小镇“沸雪跨年夜”) | Dec 31, 8:30 - 23:30 | Sunac Joy Town, Shapingba District (沙坪坝区融创渝乐小镇) – A large theme park with rides and cultural performances | Night ticket: 79 RMB (includes drink); Free entry during daytime | Highlights: Tongliang Fire Dragon Iron Flower Show (1500℃ iron water as fireworks), artificial snow + Ferris wheel lights, bonfire party, 100m fireworks waterfall. Tips: Don’t miss 23:55 balloon rain + bell ring; reach via Line 1 Weidianyuan Station → transfer bus 545 to Wenxing Avenue South Station. |
Tanzi Stone New Year Light Decorations (弹子石新年灯饰) | Dec 31, 18:30 - 22:00 | Changjiahui Shopping Park / Tanzi Stone Old Street, No. 69 Taichang Road, Nan'an District (南岸区泰昌路69号长嘉汇购物公园/弹子石老街) – A historic street with ancient-style buildings and riverside views | Free | Highlights: Wangjia Courtyard lantern sea (1,000+ lanterns), "Thousands of Lights & Blessings" light installation (aurora and snow elements, 100% photo-friendly). Tips: Free to visit; perfect for photo taking; easy access via Line Loop Tanzi Stone Station. |
Changshou Lake New Year Fireworks Show (长寿湖跨年烟花秀) | Dec 31, 20:30 - 00:00 | Changshou Lake Scenic Area · Sky Theater (长寿湖景区・天空剧院) – A scenic lake area 1.5 hours from downtown Chongqing | 298 RMB起 (Lawn Area A); 498 RMB (VIP Area); 698 RMB (VVIP Area) | Highlights: 20:30-21:00 Star Wish Parade, 21:00-21:40 immersive fireworks (with lake reflection), custom "2026" fireworks at midnight. Tips: Arrive 2 hours early; bring thick coat (night temp down to 8℃); free shuttle bus to Changshou Lake High-Speed Rail Station post-event; reach via high-speed rail (Chongqing North Station → Changshou Lake Station, 27 mins) + free shuttle. |
Chongqing Happy Valley New Year's Eve Party (重庆欢乐谷跨年晚会) | Dec 31, 17:00 - 00:30 (Night session) | Chongqing Happy Valley, No. 29 Jinyu Avenue, Lijia Town, Liangjiang New Area (两江新区礼嘉镇金渝大道29号重庆欢乐谷) – A large amusement park with rides and performance venues | Night ticket: Around 150 RMB (entry fee required) | Highlights: 1,000+ drones + Ferris wheel show ("Chongqing Eye" at 120m), ice and snow parade (NPCs + snow effect), 4-hour non-stop music party with famous singer Meng Xi. Tips: Line 6 Guobo Line Happy Valley Station (last train 01:09); heated areas available in the park; subway extended to midnight for easy return. |
Weather & Packing Tips (2025-2026 Chongqing New Year's Eve Guide for Foreign Travelers)
Expected weather on Dec 31 night: Intermittent light rain in downtown Chongqing, temperature 8-10℃. Trust me, the rain can be annoying if you’re unprepared.
Clothing advice: Use the layered method – moisture-wicking base layer + warm middle layer + waterproof outer layer. This keeps you dry and warm as the temperature drops at night.
Essentials to bring: Raincoat/umbrella, portable charger (photo-taking drains battery fast), and a small bag to store extra layers. For Western travelers, ensure your VPN is stable for map and communication apps; most venues accept credit cards, but linking to Alipay is more convenient for small purchases.
One-Day Itinerary Recommendations
Option 1: Classic Free Combo (Budget-Friendly)
17:00 Arrive at Jiefangbei (grab dinner + secure a spot for countdown)
19:00-22:00 Join Jiefangbei New Year's Eve countdown
22:30-00:15 Head to Nanbin Road for drone show
Option 2: Theme Park Fun (Family-Friendly)
18:00 Arrive at Sunac Joy Town (free daytime entry to explore)
20:00-23:30 Enjoy iron flower show, artificial snow, and bonfire party
23:55 Watch balloon rain and midnight bell ring
Option 3: Romantic Getaway
19:00-22:00 Visit Tanzi Stone light decorations (photo session)
22:30 Head to Changshou Lake Sky Theater (via pre-booked transfer)
00:00 Watch custom "2026" fireworks with lake reflection
Option 4: Hassle-Free One-Stop
17:00 Enter Chongqing Happy Valley (night session)
17:00-23:00 Enjoy rides, ice and snow parade, and music performances
00:00 Celebrate midnight with drone and Ferris wheel show
Quick Summary of Recommendations
Free pick: Jiefangbei + Nanbin Road (classic combo, great for budget travelers)
Romantic pick: Changshou Lake Fireworks Show (best for couples)
Family pick: Sunac Joy Town (free daytime + fun night performances)
Hassle-free pick: Chongqing Happy Valley (one-stop fun, subway直达 no traffic jams)
Final Thoughts & Exclusive Bonus from DolphinUnion
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