Spring Festival events not to be missed
Get into the festive spirit in Shenzhen where you’ll be able to join a number of activities which help enrich the holiday.
Movies
Are you ready to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in cinemas? Seven Chinese movies will hit the screen during the holiday while U.S. movie “Avatar: The Way of Water” is still showing until February.
The seven new Chinese movies are "Full River Red" directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Jackson Yee, "Hidden Blade" starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Wang Yibo, "The Wandering Earth 2" starring Andy Lau and Wu Jing, "Five Hundred Miles" starring Lei Jiayin, "Ping-pong of China" starring Deng Chao and Sun Li, and two animated ones— "Boonie Bears: Guardian Code" and "Deep Sea."
Ticketing: WeChat miniprograms“淘票票电影” or “猫眼”
Light shows
‘Glow Shenzhen’
“Glow Shenzhen,” running through Feb. 19, features 217 works of light art created by Chinese and international artists. Each district in the city spotlights different topics. Xiangmi Park (香蜜公园) in Futian District and Buji River (布吉河) and The MixC (万象城) in Luohu are recommended spots to view the lights.
(Top) Lights on the façade of The MixC. (Center) A map of “Glow Shenzhen” locations. (Bottom) A light installation at Xiangmi Park. Photos from the organizers
Greater Bay Area Super Light Show
Covering 20,000 square meters, the 2023 Greater Bay Area Super Light Show (68 yuan) running through Feb. 26 makes you feel you are traveling back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties when you stroll along a 100-meter-long corridor decorated with countless lanterns. Other giant lanterns were created by artisans from Zigong, Sichuan Province. Be it a 5-meter-tall dragon, or a magnificent Flying Asparas, the lights are stunning and dreamy.
Venue: OCT Harbor, Nanshan District (欢乐海岸)
Metro: Line 9 to Shenzhen Bay Park Station (深圳湾公园站), Exit E
Scenes at the 2023 Greater Bay Area Super Light Show. Photos from the organizer
Zigong lantern show
The annual Zigong lantern show (79.9 yuan) running through Feb. 5 features traditional festive lights, as well as giant lanterns inspired by Chinese mythological legends and dinosaurs. Float parades and live music shows will also be held.
Venue: Splendid China • China Folk Culture Villages, Nanshan District (锦绣中华民俗村)
Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit D
Scenes at the Splendid China • China Folk Culture Villages lantern show. Photos from the organizer
Parks
Flower fair
A kind of Chinese New Year flower in bell shape, Enkianthus quinqueflorus Lour. (铃儿花) are in full bloom and visitors can admire a sea of these flowers at Enshang Wetland on Wutong Mountain. From Jan. 21 to 27, a Spring Festival fair will also be held, where you can have a bite of dessert and barbeque or drink coffee and beer.
Venue: Enshang Wetland, Wutong Mountain (梧桐山恩上湿地森林会客厅)
Metro: Line 8 to Haishan Station (海山站), Exit B and then take a shuttle bus called “山海专线” (3-6 yuan)
Scenes at the Enkianthus quinqueflorus Lour. fair. Photos from WeChat account “ytrmwx”
Cherry blossom festival
With fragrant petals, cherry blossoms (樱花) in the Mission Hills Ecological Sports Park are in full bloom, and every year the cherry blossom festival attracts a large number of visitors. The festival (30 yuan) runs through Feb. 5.
Venue: Mission Hills Ecological Sports Park, Longhua District (观澜湖生态运动公社)
Metro: Line 4 to Mission Hills Station (观澜湖站), Exit A
Visitors at last year’s cherry blossom festival at Mission Hills Ecological Sports Park. Photos from the park
Various flowers across SZ
Residents can also admire various flowers at local parks this winter, such as bald cypresses (落羽杉), plum blossoms (梅花) and camellias (山茶花).
Bald cypresses, plum blossoms and camellias are seen in local parks. Photos from WeChat account “mlszgzh”
Camping
From Jan. 21 to 27, Lianhua Hill Park is holding a lakeside camping event where locals can enjoy music, read books and a series of family-friendly sports and food activities.
Venue: Lianhua Hill Park, Futian District (莲花山公园)
Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit F
A camping scene at Lianhua Hill Park. Photo from WeChat account “mlszgzh”
Free exhibitions
Glassware, zodiac, old art
An exhibition running through April 6 showcases 325 pieces of ancient glassware from countries along the Silk Road. Another exhibition featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs is also being held until May 7. Old Chinese paintings with children as subjects, created during the 1950s to the 1980s, are on display at an exhibition running through Feb. 26.
Booking: WeChat account “iszbwg”
Venue: Shenzhen Museum (of History and Folk Culture), Futian District (深圳博物馆历史民俗馆)
Metro: Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center Station (市民中心站), Exit B
Exhibits at Shenzhen Museum (of History and Folk Culture). Photos by Cao Zhen
Purple clay objects, epigraphy
Yixing purple clay teapots are highly coveted and sought after, and now visitors can admire 165 teapots, study room items and objects for enjoyment crafted from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to the early 20th century at an exhibition running until Feb. 26. Another exhibition commemorating the 120th birth anniversary of Shang Chengzuo, a promoter of epigraphy, is also being held until March 19.
Booking: WeChat account “iszbwg”
Venue: Shenzhen Museum (of Ancient Art), Futian District (深圳博物馆古代艺术馆)
Metro: Line 9 to Hongling South Station (红岭南站), Exit A
Posters courtesy of Shenzhen Museum
New media works
Artists from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao are presenting their new media works at the 2022 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale running until Feb. 19.
Booking: WeChat account “深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆”
Venue: Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, Futian District (深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆)
Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit A2
Visitors at the 2022 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale. Photos by Cao Zhen
Wealth god, elegant items
“The Culture of God of Wealth,” running through Feb. 5, depicts Chinese conceptions of wealth in folk cultural relics, while “A Special Exhibition of Ming and Qing Studies and Study Accessories,” running through Feb. 19, showcases elegant stationeries in traditional Chinese study rooms. Porcelains created in China for exporting to Europe and the United States are also on display at an exhibition running through April 2.
Booking: WeChat account “nanshanmuseum”
Venue: Nanshan Museum, Nanshan District (南山博物馆)
Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B
Exhibits at Nanshan Museum. Photos by Cao Zhen
He Xiangning Art Museum
Sixteen artists who were born in China and now work and live in Europe are exhibiting their paintings at “Through Frozen Soil, Desert and Glacier: The Fifth Global Overseas Chinese Artists Exhibition,” which runs until March 26. Another exhibition which runs until Feb. 12 offers a look into the seamless combination of He Xiangning’s paintings and Liu Yazi’s poetry.
Booking: WeChat account “hxnartmuseum”
Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (何香凝美术馆)
Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C
Exhibits at He Xiangning Art Museum. Photos courtesy of the art museum
‘Art & Design Tracks’
Visitors can check out cultural and creative products designed by local companies and designers, especially those with rabbit elements, at “Art & Design Tracks: The Third Cultural and Creative Design Exhibition in Shenzhen” running through Feb. 15. Some items can also be purchased there and the earliest 30 visitors everyday during the Spring Festival holiday can claim free gifts. Meanwhile, another exhibition reviewing Guan Shanyue Art Museum’s collection and academic research in the past 25 years is also being held through June 15.
Booking: WeChat account “gsyart”
Venue: Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Futian District (关山月美术馆)
Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit F
Exhibits at the “Art & Design Tracks” exhibition. Photos by Cao Zhen
‘Hometown Spring’ and Jiang Zhi’s art
Jiang Zhi’s solo exhibition “The Man Who Carves the Boat” provides a rare viewing experience: Visitors have to peep into small holes to see the artist’s photographic works and videos. The art museum also recently opened the “Hometown Spring” exhibition focusing on the changes in small Chinese cities and towns. Some of “Shen Shaomin’s Brief History of Science” exhibits are still on display. All the exhibitions are free to visit and the ending dates haven’t yet been announced.
Booking: WeChat account “PingshanArtMuseum”
Venue: Pingshan Art Museum, Pingshan District (坪山美术馆)
Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1
Visitors and exhibits at Pingshan Art Museum’s new exhibition. Photos by Cao Zhen
‘The Prehistoric Players’
Children should not miss the “The Prehistoric Players” exhibition displaying prehistoric animal models. Children will not only get to know their habits but also play sports and games at the exhibition which runs through April 30.
Venue: Longhua Culture and Sports Center (龙华文体中心)
Metro: Line 4 to Qinghu Station (清湖站), Exit D
Exhibits at “The Prehistoric Players” exhibition. Photos from the organizer
Ticketed exhibitions
‘Moi! Shenzhen’
Ten Finnish illustrators, including Minni Havas, Anja Reponen and Jenni Erkintalo, are exhibiting their works at the “Moi! Shenzhen” exhibition (30 yuan). Visitors can have a glimpse into Finnish culture, art and life philosophy at the light-hearted exhibition which runs through March 12 (closed Jan. 21-22).
Venue: ALILI ART, inside Nantou Ancient Town, Nanshan District (南头古城内ALILI艺术馆)
Metro: Line 12 to Nantou Ancient City Station (南头古城站), Exit D
Illustrations at the “Moi! Shenzhen” exhibition. Photos from the organizer
Florentijn Hofman
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, who has created playful urban installations like “Rubber Duck” and “Hippopo Thames,” has brought new giant “toys” to the “Celebrate More!” exhibition (78 yuan) running through March 26.
Venue: The MixC, Luohu District (深圳万象城)
Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Grand Theater Station (大剧院站), Exit C
Scenes at the “Celebrate More!” exhibition. Photos from the organizers
Meta, architecture, animals
“Not About Money: Landing Meta” (98 yuan), running through March 5, showcases installations and multimedia works created by international artists, reviewing blockchain technology. “Beyond Borders: Architectures of Japan” (98 yuan), running through Feb. 19, displays architecture models, photos, drafts and videos of renowned Japanese architects, such as Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma and Fumihiko Maki.
“An Animal I Am!” (128 yuan), running through March 26, showcases Gabriel Rico’s works characterized by the interrelation of seemingly disparate objects. And Florentijn Hofman has also brought his works to a new exhibition.
Venue: Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Nanshan District (海上世界文化艺术中心)
Metro: Line 2 or 12 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A
Photos from the organizers
Immersive Cézanne show
A stunning, digital immersive exhibition (78 yuan) of French artist and post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) is being held until Aug. 31 (closed Jan. 21-24). On display are digital projections of Cézanne’s masterpieces portraying his beloved landscapes of Provence, his melancholic portraits and famous still-life paintings.
Venue: Pingshan Exhibition Gallery, Pingshan District (坪山展览馆)
Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1
Scenes at the Paul Cézanne exhibition. Photos from the organizers
teamLab
A permanent exhibition hall of teamLab (158 yuan) has opened at C Future City and visitors can indulge themselves in various multimedia installations.
Venue: 3/F, C Future City, Futian District (中洲湾一期购物中心三层)
Metro: Line 9 to Xiasha Station (下沙站), Exit B
Scenes at the teamLab exhibition. Photos by Lin Songtao
More exhibitions
Enjoy delightful artworks by Julian Opie
Immersive exhibition hits OCT Harbor
Magical beasts, ghosts from China, Japan
Immerse in a sea of flowers at Palace Museum show