Running through Nov 15, the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival brings nearly 400 performances and exhibitions, alongside 1,100 citywide events. With a new opera house, an expanded international arts network spanning 53 countries and regions, and a three-year theater revitalization plan, Shanghai is strengthening global cultural exchange, nurturing new talent and championing original productions.

Renowned choreographer Lucinda Childs’ Dance (1979), performed by the Lyon Opera Ballet, made its China debut at Shanghai’s Shangyin Opera House, opening Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels on Oct 14-16. Created with composer Philip Glass and visual artist Sol LeWitt, this minimalist masterpiece blends geometric movement, hypnotic rhythms and striking visual projections. The Lyon dancers bring remarkable precision, muscular energy and lightness to its timeless choreography.

The original Broadway musical Chicago will bring its dazzling jazz, sharp satire and seductive intrigue to Beijing this November. Set in the scandal-driven 1920s, this iconic show exposes how fame, media manipulation and ambition can blur the lines between crime and celebrity. Don’t miss this timeless musical sensation at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on Nov 12-15! [Photo/Official WeChat account of Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center]

From a five-minute sensation to a full-length stage production! Jinli: The Ascent, inspired by koi fish symbolizing good fortune and prosperity, blends Chinese classical and contemporary dance with cutting-edge stage technology to explore dreams, resilience, joy, and freedom. Created by China Media Group and Beijing Dance Academy, the dance drama will premiere at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Nov 28 and 29, with a China-wide tour planned for 2027.

Music is bringing #Switzerland and #Hainan closer! The Geneva State Wind Orchestra will perform two concerts at the Hainan Center for the Performing Arts on Oct 23 and 24. Audiences can also enjoy a flash mob performance at Haikou’s Cloudscape Library on the morning of Oct 24. Beyond the stage, the visiting Swiss musicians have already toured Lingshui and Sanya, where they staged flash mobs and held a charity concert. They will also engage with Hainan’s intangible cultural heritage practitioners, deepening cultural exchange through music and traditional arts.  #GlobalHainan #HainanEvents #GenevaStateWindOrchestra

🎭 Love, power, and passion take center stage! On Oct 18, Handel’s semi-staged opera Giulio Cesare made its grand debut at Poly Theatre during the Beijing Music Festival. Before the performance, audiences met the creative team to explore the opera’s artistic vision, the beauty of Baroque arias, and Handel’s musical genius. From Caesar to Cleopatra, this timeless masterpiece offered opera lovers an unforgettable journey into the magic of early music! [Video/Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center]

From Mozart to Chinese rock, the 29th Beijing Music Festival ended on a high note on Oct 20! Led by conductor Yang Yang, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra joined young pianist Ju Xiaofu and rock pioneer Cui Jian for an unforgettable musical journey, blending classical masterpieces with the raw energy of rock. Across 12 concerts, the festival celebrated musical diversity and generations of talent, bringing fresh sounds to Beijing’s autumn.

On Oct 16, acclaimed dance artist Yang Liping’s grand stage production Pingtan Impression captivated the audience in Fuyang, Anhui province. Her eighth major production and the third in the “Impression” series blends traditional folk and maritime cultures with dance, music, puppetry, stunning stage design, and cutting-edge visual effects across five chapters.

Chinese pianist Ju Xiaofu received the Young Musician Award at the 29th Beijing Music Festival on Oct 19. His journey from a festival debut in 2020 to international recognition reflects his remarkable talent and dedication. At the closing concert, he joined conductor Yang Yang, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, and rock pioneer Cui Jian in a performance featuring Chopin and a tribute to Mozart’s 270th birth anniversary.

The 15th Qintai Music Festival opened on Oct 16 at Wuhan Qintai Concert Hall with soprano Wang Lida and the China National Traditional Orchestra. Bringing together artists from 30 countries and regions, the festival features world-class performances, traditional Chinese arts, and free concerts at iconic city landmarks, celebrating music as a festival for all. The festivities will run through Nov 13! @WuhanPlus

On Oct 14, one of the most dazzling highlights of the Beijing Music Festival — the Anoushka Shankar and Friends Special Concert — took to the stage at the Poly Theatre. As part of this year's festival, a dedicated masterclass with Anoushka Shankar was also held. The session delved into the raga rhythms of the sitar and the essence of Indian classical music, offering face-to-face exchanges on creative insights and performance techniques. On the evening of the performance, the lilting sitar strains resonated throughout the theatre, transporting audiences beyond the concert hall into the vast landscape of world music. #BeijingMusicFestival #AnoushkaShankar #Sitar

On Oct 16, the stage adaptation of A Dream of Red Mansions captivated a full house at the Yichang Theater, Hubei province. With exquisite sets, elegant period costumes and immersive performances, the drama brought the classic Chinese novel to life, exploring love, family, and fate through Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and other unforgettable characters.

On Oct 17, the Shanghai Grand Opera House made its grand debut on the Huangpu River waterfront, its sweeping roof unfolding like a giant Chinese fan. The landmark’s opening was celebrated with a concert marking both the venue’s inauguration and the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival, bringing music, architecture, and the city’s vibrant cultural spirit together on one spectacular stage.

Thai bloggers watched Impressions of Lijiang, an outdoor performance set against the natural backdrop of Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountain in Yunnan province. Featuring more than 500 local farmers from 16 nearby villages and 10 ethnic groups, the show brings local life and traditions to the stage through passionate songs and dances. The bloggers experienced this distinctive performance and gained a closer look at Naxi beliefs, cultural heritage, and the deep ties between local communities and the land beneath the sacred mountain. #iYunnan #YunnanSnowMountain #YunnanEthnicFestivals #EthnicYunnan

🎭✨Step onto the stage of Lyu Opera with us to see how young art students in Shandong province preserve this traditional art! Behind every moment in the spotlight are countless hours in the studio, mastering every breath, vocal run, and expressive movement. From painting intricate, vibrant faces in the dressing room to feeling that electric spark of excitement as the curtains rise, heritage isn't just something we preserve — it's something we live, breathe, and perform every single day. (Photos/Zhao Weitao) #LyuOpera #PerformingArts #CulturalHeritage #TheatreLife #StageMakeup

On Tuesday, Ninglang Yi autonomous county in Lijiang, Yunnan province, celebrated its 70th anniversary. People from different ethnic groups and guests from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the milestone, reflect on the county’s remarkable development, and share their hopes for a brighter future and a better life for all.

Last Friday, Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble presented Resonance of Dunhuang at Toronto’s Jane Mallett Theatre, marking the 56th anniversary of China-Canada diplomatic relations. Combining traditional instruments, contemporary compositions and multimedia art inspired by Dunhuang’s Mogao Caves, the concert showcased China’s rich cultural heritage and promoted cross-cultural understanding.

Step into a world of magic, music and wonder! On Oct 10 and 11, a new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, created exclusively for the Beijing Music Festival, will make its debut at the China National Opera House. Beyond the performances, enjoy pre-show talks and exclusive backstage tours to discover the opera’s creative vision, vocal highlights, sets and props. Whether you’re a first-time opera-goer or a longtime fan, prepare to see this timeless masterpiece in a whole new light! #BeijingMusicFestival #TheMagicFlute #Opera #ClassicalMusic #BehindTheScenes

A two-day showcase celebrating the preservation and development of Uliger, a traditional Mongolian oral storytelling art, concluded on Oct 14 in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner, Hinggan League. More than 50 performers from across Inner Mongolia presented 30 programs highlighting recent achievements in the art. Uliger was added to China’s national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. @InnerMongoliaCN