2026 Guangzhou Art Season opens with nearly 100 productions

The 2026 Guangzhou Art Season opened on May 8, kicking off nearly three months of performances, exhibitions, and cultural events across the southern Chinese city. Running through July 31, the festival brings together theaters, museums, galleries, and arts institutions across Guangzhou.

Now in its 16th edition, the annual event has become one of Guangzhou’s largest arts festivals, featuring a mix of international productions, Chinese classics, contemporary works, and public cultural programs. This year’s lineup includes nearly 100 stage productions, 10 major exhibitions, and dozens of community arts activities.

Centennial “Turandot” opens the art season with a global premiere

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is a new centennial edition of “Turandot”, which premiered globally in Guangzhou on May 8

First staged in 1926, “Turandot” is Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s final opera and remains one of the most recognizable Western operas inspired by a Chinese setting. To mark its 100th anniversary in 2026, the new production is directed by Jackie Chan, bringing together Chinese and Italian creative teams in a reinterpretation that incorporates martial arts elements into the opera.

The production aims to reimagine the century-old classic for contemporary audiences while highlighting the cultural dialogue between East and West.

International artists and Chinese classics share the stage

Throughout the festival, audiences will enjoy performances by renowned artists and companies from around the world.

International highlights include performances by the Russian Moscow Ballet and the Saint Petersburg State Ballet on Ice, presenting classics such as “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker”. Acclaimed violinist Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici will perform alongside the Stradivari Ensemble, while Baroque music master Ton Koopman will lead the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra in a residency performance series.

Other featured artists include British organist Anna Lapwood, internationally renowned pianist Ronald Brautigam and Notre-Dame organ master Olivier Latry.

Chinese productions are equally prominent this year, ranging from contemporary theater and musicals to classic Yue and Peking opera performances. Highlights include “Green Snake” by the National Theatre of China, the award-winning musical “Looking for Li Ergou”, and the stage drama “Northward”.

Dance productions are also drawing attention, including “Xi Shi”, with celebrated choreographer Yang Liping serving as artistic director, and “Love in a Fallen City”, directed by Oscar-winning art director Tim Yip.

Local arts groups bring new original works

Guangzhou-based performers and companies are also featured prominently during the festival. The Guangzhou Ballet will stage its original ballet “Guiyi”, inspired by the history and visual culture of Dunhuang. The production combines elements of traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary ballet performance.

More venues across Guangzhou

This year’s edition involves more than 20 theaters and cultural venues across Guangzhou, expanding beyond the city center into outer districts.

Among the participating venues is the historic Haizhu Grand Theater, which is scheduled to reopen later in May after renovation. The reopening program will feature Cantonese opera performances by artists from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

In addition to live performances, the festival also features large-scale art exhibitions such as “Dunhuang”, which focuses on cave art and visual culture inspired by Dunhuang heritage.

The 2026 Guangzhou Art Season offers audiences a broad mix of international productions, Chinese performing arts, and new experimental works.

Reporter: Li Fangwang

Poster: Internet

Photo: Li Fangwang