A viral video showcasing spectacular fireworks and a soaring dragon, allegedly from Shanghai’s New Year celebrations, has gained over 20 million views. However, experts revealed it as a fake, composed of two separate clips. While the video drew comparisons to celebrations in France, the authenticity of such content is questioned, especially as misleading videos proliferate online. Despite the hype, Shanghai did host a real drone show on December 31, though it lacked the allure of the fabricated footage.
Unmasking the Viral New Year Celebration Video
Amidst the festive spirit, a striking video featuring dazzling fireworks, a massive glowing circle, and a dragon seemingly soaring through the sky has taken social media by storm. This spectacular footage, which has amassed a staggering 20 million views across platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X, is purportedly from the New Year celebrations in Shanghai, China. Notably, even tech mogul Elon Musk expressed his astonishment with a simple ‘wow’ in response to an influencer sharing the video.
Reality Check: The Truth Behind the Celebration Footage
In contrast to the awe it inspired, the video has sparked a variety of reactions, particularly comparisons between the New Year festivities in China and those in France. Some critics lament the ‘decline’ of their own celebrations, while others mockingly juxtapose the grandeur in China with regulatory discussions in Europe about USB-C ports.
To discern the authenticity of the video, the Verification team consulted Stephen Sutton, an expert in drone shows from FlyByguys. Sutton dismissed the video as fake, pointing out the absence of reflections in the water beneath the drones and their unrealistic speed. He emphasized that the video was not sped up, as evidenced by the normal pace of passing boats. Additionally, an observant user on X noted that the drones vanished for a brief moment at the end of the clip.
The truth is that the much-hyped show is a mashup of two separate videos. The first segment, showcasing the luminous circle, was recorded on December 8 in Liuyang, while the second, featuring the iconic dragon, was captured in Shenzhen on October 1, 2024. This dragon is familiar to locals, having appeared during the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations in June 2023.
Fake celebration videos are not uncommon on social media, often amassing millions of views. For example, a Facebook account dedicated to sharing fabricated fireworks displays over Mount Fuji has seen its latest video reach over 32 million views since January 4. This content is generated using readily available software, allowing users to create custom fireworks over any landscape.
These misleading ‘clickbait’ videos are strategically designed to attract views and generate revenue through various monetization channels. They exploit the festive season when authentic celebration footage is abundant, leveraging user curiosity to drive engagement and generate ad revenue.
Interestingly, while the viral video was a fabrication, Shanghai did host an actual drone show on the evening of December 31, as announced on the city’s official website. Although this real event was impressive, it paled in comparison to the imaginative dragon spectacle that captured the internet’s attention, which still dominates the search results for New Year celebrations in Shanghai for 2025.
If you have questions or encounter dubious information, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. You can also connect with our team on X through the handle @verif_TF1LCI.