What to see next: 2026 Shenzhen Art Festival of ICIF

Themed “Luminous Convergence, Artistic Quintessence,” the 2026 Shenzhen Art Festival of ICIF is presenting 24 performances from May to July across the city, featuring an international outlook, Shenzhen-Hong Kong collaboration, local cultural characteristics, and a focus on public accessibility.

On May 16, the opening ceremony and project signing event were held at the Shenzhen Concert Hall. Eight major performing arts projects were signed, covering national tours, international imports — such as “Matilda,” “Don Juan,” and “Cyrano de Bergerac” — as well as troupe cooperation and co-productions.

Representatives of performance companies and troupes sign projects at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Shenzhen Art Festival of ICIF, held at the Shenzhen Concert Hall on May 16. Photos from the organizers unless otherwise stated

Several troupe leaders said the festival has evolved into an industry networking platform, helping match high-quality resources efficiently. They added that the increasing number of top foreign productions in Shenzhen marks a strategic breakthrough for arts development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Over the past weekend, conductor Valery Gergiev led the Mariinsky Orchestra, with Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici as concertmaster, in three concerts of all six of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies. 

Valery Gergiev (C) and Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici (L) share a curtain call after a performance in Shenzhen over the weekend.

“Shenzhen is brimming with vitality and innovation. The Shenzhen Art Festival of ICIF has become a platform for international artistic exchange, and we are deeply honored to be part of it,” said Nasturica-Herschcowici, adding that he was impressed by Shenzhen’s commitment to high-quality cultural events.

He also praised Shenzhen’s cultural scene, noting that the city offers world-class venues, professional teams, and an enthusiastic audience. “The Mariinsky Orchestra has performed in Shenzhen multiple times, and we are always moved by the audience’s passion,” he said.

Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Shenzhen Art Festival of ICIF. Photo by Cao Zhen

Many attendees shared excitement after the Mariinsky Orchestra concerts. “Hearing a world-class orchestra live near my home is so thrilling! Shenzhen’s cultural strength is growing — it gives us a real sense of happiness. If this is how the festival begins, I can’t wait for what follows.” 

Concerts

Valery Gergiev & Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra

Valery Gergiev will conduct the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra in Mahler’s “Symphony No. 5” and a Chinese piece by Wang Danhong.

Time: 8 p.m., May 18

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D

‘Tides Rise Amid Mountains and Seas’

The Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with Yang Xue (erhu), Xu Xiaonan (accordion), Gong Shuang (soprano) and Tang Junqiao (bamboo flute) for a concert celebrating the partnership between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Blending folk instruments, voice, and symphonic music, it captures the spirit of the GBA — united, dynamic, and forward-moving.

Time: 8 p.m., June 5

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D

‘An Evening with Cantonese Musical Magic’

Jordan Cheng, Mischa Ip, Freddy Au Yeung, Lao Qisen and Lin Zhiming will give a concert featuring songs from Cantonese musicals “The Impossible Trial,” “I Am What I Am,” and “I Have a Date With Spring,” as well as a few English songs from “West Side Story.” The show celebrates the evolution of Cantonese musicals, from early experiments to original, mature productions.

Time: 8 p.m., July 16-17

Venue: Shenzhen Grand Theater, Luohu District (深圳大剧院)

Metro: Line 1, 2 or 5 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit B

‘Don Giovanni’

To mark the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and the Shenzhen Concert Hall will present the concert opera “Don Giovanni.” Aldo Sisillo will conduct.

Time: 7:30 p.m., Aug. 2

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D

Dance

‘Yan Zhenqing’

Centered on calligrapher Yan Zhenqing’s timeless work “Manuscript on the Sacrifice of a Nephew,” this dance production weaves the spirit of ink brushwork with devotion to family and country — turning it into a living tapestry. It brings calligraphy into the modern stage in a vivid return to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Time: 8 p.m., May 21-23 (May 23 also at 2:30 p.m.)

Venue: Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center Theater, Nanshan District (南山文体中心聚橙剧院 大剧院)

Metro: Line 12 to Nantou Ancient City Station (南头古城站), Exit B

‘The Voyage of Life’

Produced by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater, “The Voyage of Life” explores the intersection of technology and humanity. Directed by and starring Chang Hongji, the dance drama breaks traditional boundaries and showcases the local arts community’s drive to explore and innovate.

Time: 8 p.m., June 6-7

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, Nanshan District (深圳保利剧院)

Metro: Line 2, 11 or 13 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E

‘Chun Wai Chan and Friends’

Guangdong-born dancer Chun Wai Chan, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, will lead the troupe for a show of classic and modern works.

Time: 8 p.m. July 23-24

Venue: Longgang International Arts Center, Longgang District (龙岗国际艺术中心)

Metro: Line 10 to Bei’er Road Station (贝尔路站), Exit D

‘Under the Stars of Paris’

Presented by an all-star team from the Paris Opera Ballet, this gala features excerpts from celebrated ballet works, showcasing diverse styles and the enduring charm of classical dance.

Time: 8 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1

Venue: Bay Opera of Shenzhen, Bao’an District 深圳滨海艺术中心

Metro: Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit D

Traditional Chinese opera

‘To Be or Not to Be’

Cantonese opera “To Be or Not to Be: The Legendary Story of Lu Wenlong” brings together talented performers and creative teams from Shenzhen and Hong Kong. With renowned Hong Kong director Fredric Mao serving as artistic director, playwright, and director, the production reinterprets the classic story of General Lu Wenlong, based on the novel “The Story of Yue Fei.”

Time: 8 p.m., May 23-24

Venue: Shenzhen Grand Theater, Luohu District (深圳大剧院)

Metro: Line 1, 2 or 5 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit B

‘The Orphan of Zhao’

Starring Zhang Jianguo, head and artistic director of the Shenzhen Peking Opera Theater, “The Orphan of Zhao” presents a timeless tale of loyalty and righteousness.

Time: 7:30 p.m., June 20

Venue: Luhu Art Center, Longhua District (鹭湖艺术中心)

Metro: Line 4 to Guanlan Station (观澜站), Exit A

Drama

‘Sunrise’

A former student turned courtesan, trapped in a luxurious life she despises, attempts to save a young girl from the underworld — only to fail. When her benefactor goes bankrupt, she takes her own life as the sun rises. Starring He Saifei, Winston Chao, and Xu Li, this Chinese play, written by Cao Yu in 1935, commemorates the playwright’s 116th birth anniversary.

Time: 7:30 p.m., July 22-23

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, Nanshan District (深圳保利剧院)

Metro: Line 2, 11 or 13 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E

Discounts

This year, every major performance offers discounted tickets at 100 yuan or below. The festival will also feature artist talks, meet-and-greets, pop-up performances at the ICIF main venue, and the “ticket-stub plan” — turning performance tickets into cultural tourism vouchers to boost urban consumption.

Since launching in 2006, the Shenzhen Art Festival of ICIF has staged more than 400 performances, reflecting the city’s ambition to become a “capital of performing arts.” 

Flora Yu, executive director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, said: “The Shenzhen Art Festival of ICIF offers a rich and exciting program. Cultural collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong has enriched citizens’ cultural lives and helped foster cultural integration across the GBA.”