From September 16 to October 16, 2025, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Culture and Arts Festival will unfold across 11 cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao. Now in its fifth edition, the festival brings together performing arts, exhibitions, lectures, and cultural exchanges. It is one of the most comprehensive cultural events in the region, aiming to highlight both international classics and local creativity.
What to expect:
International and local performances
35 productions will be staged more than 100 times. International highlights include Russia's Vakhtangov Theatre with Eugene Onegin and Uncle Vanya, the Greek National Opera's La Traviata, and Matthew Bourne's contemporary Swan Lake.
From China, audiences will see the National Theatre's Four Generations Under One Roof, the dance drama Confucius, and reinterpretations of Dream of the Red Chamber in regional opera. Hong Kong and Macao troupes will contribute works such as Skylight and February 29th, while Guangdong's own productions will showcase Cantonese opera, original musicals, and dance.
Art lectures and talks
Four major forums (Sept. 17–18) will bring together leading directors, musicians, and playwrights to discuss themes such as "arts and urban life" and "innovation in traditional opera." Audiences will also have opportunities to meet artists through pre- and post-show talks.
Exhibitions across the bay
18 exhibitions will open during the festival, including the flagship Contemporary Art from the Greater Bay Area at Guangdong Museum of Art's new Bai'etan venue (Sept. 1–Oct. 31). The show presents nearly 100 works from 37 artists in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, exploring local identity in a global context.
Community events and accessible tickets
Around 150 free or low-priced public performances will take place in schools, plazas, and parks, creating what organizers call an "open-air theatre." Discounted tickets will be available for many shows, ensuring wider access.
Performing arts fair
The 16th China (Guangzhou) International Performing Arts Fair (Sept. 25–28) will bring together nearly 300 organizations from 20 countries and regions. It serves as a marketplace for new projects and collaborations, linking the GBA to global performing arts networks.
Opening concert in Guangzhou
The festival begins on September 16 with Symphony of the Bay Area, performed by the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra under conductor Huang Yi. The program will include works from Guangdong composers as well as international pieces, reflecting the blend of local and global voices that defines the festival.
Why it matters
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, home to over 80 million people, is rapidly becoming a cultural as well as an economic hub. This festival offers a window into how the region is presenting itself on the world stage: by connecting East and West, tradition and innovation, local stories and international classics.
For visitors and residents alike, September and October will be a chance to see some of the most anticipated performances and exhibitions of the year—all within a month-long celebration spread across the Greater Bay Area.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province
Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
