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.” 

Upcoming 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

Booking: 微票務

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District 深圳音樂廳

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), 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

Booking: 微票務

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District 深圳音樂廳

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

‘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

Booking: 微票務

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District 深圳音樂廳

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

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.”