The Sixth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival will run from October 31 to November 30, 2026, bringing 75 productions, 148 performances, 25 exhibitions and nearly 100 outreach activities to the region. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, the festival highlights the region's growing role as a premier cultural hub.
Opening and closing ceremonies
For the first time, the opening ceremony will be held in Shenzhen. On October 31, the Bay Opera of Shenzhen will host the premiere of Pearl River, an original symphonic suite produced by renowned musician Yu Long, co-composed by Shu Nan and Chen Si'ang and conducted by Huang Yi with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater Chorus. That evening, landmarks across 11 cities will light up simultaneously to mark the occasion.
The closing ceremony will take place on December 3 at Guangzhou's Xinghai Concert Hall, featuring a concert version of Verdi's La Traviata. World-renowned baritone Leo Nucci will perform alongside conductor Jing Huan, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of the Department of Vocal Studies, Xinghai Conservatory of Music.
Tripartite collaboration
This year's festival deepens cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, leveraging Guangzhou's and Shenzhen's dual roles as international performing arts centers. More than ten Hong Kong and Macao troupes will participate, presenting 20 productions.
International highlights
Of the 75 productions, 22 are international imports—nearly one-third of the total. Highlights include opera superstar Anna Netrebko's first visit to Shenzhen; pianist Yuja Wang performing with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in a conductorless concert at Xinghai Concert Hall; violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter returning to Guangzhou after 15 years; Grammy-winning jazz singer Diana Krall; and Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski leading the Hong Kong Philharmonic in Mahler's Symphony No. 8.
Domestic highlights
Domestic productions total 41, with one-third from Hong Kong and Macao and 12 original Guangdong works. The stage trilogy Blossoms will be staged in full in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) for the first time, with a nine-hour narrative across two Guangzhou theaters. The National Ballet of China will present Swan Lake and The Red Detachment of Women. Seven opera genres will feature over ten Plum Blossom Award winners, including viral hit Wu Opera Three Battles with the White Bone Demon, Cantonese Opera Lady Xian, and Teochew Opera Li Shangyin. Other works include Hakka mountain opera Misty Rain at Songkou and dance drama Wing Chun.
Record premieres
A record 36 productions will make their GBA debuts, cementing the region's status as a key launchpad for performing arts.
Exhibitions
The festival also features 25 exhibitions across venues in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, including a major painting exhibition at the Guangdong Museum of Art (New Branch).
Author | Jiang Chang
Photos | Organizers of the Sixth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival
