The municipal government hosted the proceedings, which have evolved since 2004 into a distinct local tradition. Participants, dressed in modern attire, utilized traditional offerings of grains, fruits, and vegetables alongside string and ceremonial music. The assembly performed a rendition of "Lu Ming" from the "Book of Songs" before Kong Lingli, the 76th-generation lineal descendant, guided the group to the Confucius Cultural Park for recitations and collective bowing.

This year’s commemoration drew attendees from 20 provincial-level regions, including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as international participants. The Southern Confucius memorial ceremony gained formal recognition as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. As a centerpiece of the 2026 Southern Confucianism Cultural Tourism Season, the event reflects a persistent effort to integrate historic rites into the regional cultural calendar, mirroring the scale of observances held in Qufu.