During the New Year's Day holiday, Huai'an's consumer market got off to a strong start. Major shopping districts, commercial streets, and cultural and tourism attractions across the city were packed with visitors, fully releasing strong consumer momentum. Backed by Jiangsu Province's consumer goods trade-in policy and ongoing innovation in consumption scenarios and business models in Huai'an, the city recorded broad-based consumer enthusiasm and growth across multiple sectors. According to data monitored by the Municipal Bureau of Commerce, from January 1 to 2, total sales revenue at 22 key commercial enterprises citywide reached approximately RMB 103 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 15%.

During the New Year's Day holiday, Huai'an's commercial districts went into full swing, with a festive atmosphere in full force. Online promotions were rolled out in clusters, while offline events drew large crowds. A wide range of offerings—including themed events, spend-and-save promotions, and interactive experiences—attracted residents and visitors alike, and several shopping malls extended their business hours to add to the New Year celebrations. From the evening of December 31, 2025, to January 1, 2026, Wanda Plaza at Shuidukou in Huai'an hosted a spectacular New Year's Eve celebration attended by tens of thousands of people.

Consumption scenarios were diverse, and activities came in a wide array of creative forms. During the holiday, Yumatou, Dutianfang, and Huajie hosted the "Canal Adventure Season" series of events, featuring immersive dance performances, showcases of classic traditional opera, and staged performances such as "Squire Wang Seeking a Son-in-Law," along with dance flash mobs and roaming parades, offering a dazzling and nonstop visual experience.

The cultural and tourism economy gained momentum, with a vibrant atmosphere across major attractions. Xiyou World of Adventure launched the "Journey to the West Fantasy Dimension Festival." Huai'an Fantawild Glorious Orient focused on trend-driven celebrations, with well-known bands and folk singers taking turns on stage to deliver an audio-visual feast blending folk traditions with popular music. During the holiday, Hexia Ancient Town saw its first peak in visitor numbers this year, where high-energy rock performances, passionate duet singing, grand shows themed on salt merchants, and fantasy-inspired "flying immortal" acts were among the highlights, drawing large numbers of visitors.