Xiao Nian festival in Gala rehearsal studio

The rehearsal studio has become like a second home for many performers of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. This is where they'll spend Chinese New Year eve, and most of them not in the company of their families. But that's not the case for Xiao Nian festival on Sunday.

Reporter: "According to the traditional Chinese calendar, the 23rd day of the 12th month is Xiao Nian Festival. And the fourth rehearsal of the Spring Festival Gala happens to be on this special day. So how are the performers and their families celebrating their Xiao Nian? Let's find out."

Cross talk performers Cao Yunjing & Liu Yuntian said, "My mother came to Beijing, so I will celebrate this day with her." "I'm married and I have a kid, so I will be with them."

Singer Qu Wanting said, "In the past twelve years, I only celebrated two Spring Festivals with my family."

Actor Du Chun said, "I have spent most of my time on the rehearsals. I'm planning to go back home after today's rehearsal and have dumplings with my mother."

The performers come from all over China, so their new year customs vary from one to the other. Singer Apusasa from Yunan Province says their celebration is quite unique.

Apusasa said, "My hometown is made up of many different ethnic groups, such as Tibetan, Drung, Lisu and Han. So we celebrate the new year singing and dancing together."

Apusasa says although it is a regret that he's not able to celebrate Spring Festival with his relatives and friends at home, he feels honoured to be on the stage of the gala.

The heavy snow on the rehearsal day also brought a lot of inconvenience to the performers.

Singer Zhang Jie said, "I left home very early today because of the bad weather, in case I'm late for the rehearsal."

Singer Ping An said, "I'm lucky because I live nearby. But I have to bring my clothes and shoes here instead of wearing them on the way, so they won't get wet and dirty."

All the performers are busy preparing for the big night, they've sacrificed much so to leave the audience with long-lasting memories. The gala will be broadcast live on CCTV on Feb. 9th.