Weekend Fun | Tea fair, exhibitions, concerts and more

Vienna Royal Symphony Orchestra

Under the baton of Italian composer and conductor Stefano Maria Torchio, the Vienna Royal Symphony Orchestra will honor a Vienna tradition to present works from the vast repertoire of the family of Johann Strauss and their contemporaries. The orchestra will also balance the 105-minute program with familiar Chinese pieces and the most popular pieces from the classical repertoire.

                                  Photos from the event organizers unless otherwise stated

Times: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2025

Venue: Opera Hall, Bay Opera of Shenzhen, Bao’an District (深圳滨海艺术中心)

Metro: Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit D

Tea fair

The 30th Shenzhen International Tea Fair is attracting over 2,000 exhibitors from 69 countries and regions, showcasing a diverse range of tea leaves, tea vessels, handicrafts, and more on-site.

Dates: Until Dec. 16

Venue: Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, Futian District (深圳会展中心)

Metro: Line 1 or 4 to Convention & Exhibition Center Station (会展中心站), Exit D

Contemporary art

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Shenzhen Art Museum is presenting the “To Face Today: Attitudes of a City Museum Toward Contemporary Art” exhibition. Running until Dec. 18 at its Longhua venue, the exhibition features over 60 contemporary works across the mediums of painting, sculpture, video, and installation, with one-fifth debuting publicly for the first time.

Photo by Lin Jianping

Dates: Until Dec. 18

Venue: New branch of Shenzhen Art Museum, Longhua District (龙华区深圳美术馆新馆)

Metro: Line 4 or 6 to Hongshan Station (红山站), Exit A1

Calligraphy, seal-cutting pieces

An academic exhibition featuring the calligraphy and seal-cutting pieces created by artist Huang Dun is currently being showcased at the He Xiangning Art Museum. It presents a collection of over 100 works by Huang, encompassing poems, calligraphy, paintings, and prints. It emphasizes the artist’s achievements, aligning closely with academic pursuits, with a dedicated section highlighting Huang’s academic contributions.

Dates: Until Dec. 15

Venue: Halls 4 to 8, He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (南山区何香凝美术馆)

Metro: Line 1 to Overseas Chinese Town Station (华侨城站), Exit C

Typographic design

Let’s explore how designers blend traditional calligraphy with modern styles to create vibrant Chinese characters at the“A World of Round and Grid: The Renewal of Fonts” exhibition.

Dates: Until Dec. 20

Venue: D101, Zone D, Vanke Cloud City Design Commune, Nanshan District (南山区万科云城设计公社D区D101)

Metro: Line 5 to Liuxiandong Station (留仙洞站), Exit C

Chaozhou handicrafts

Chaozhou hand-thrown red clay teapots are unique cultural symbols in Chaozhou’s tea culture. Dozens contemporary red clay teapots in different shapes may amaze you at this exhibition.

Photo by Lin Songtao

Dates: Until Dec. 15

Venue: Nanshan Museum, Nanshan District (南山区南山博物馆)

Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station(桃园站), Exit B

Beijing opera

Members of the Shanghai Jingju Theater Company will present the classic piece "Hong Niang," a dramatic love story created during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). 

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 13

Ticketing: Official WeChat account “南山文体中心聚橙剧院”

Venue: Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center Theater, Nanshan District (南山区南山文体中心剧院)

Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station (桃园站), Exit B

Dance drama

The dance drama “The Flowers of War” is based on the storyline of its namesake movie by veteran Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou. With elaborate stage set and delicate costumes, the show tells the story of how 13 prostitutes, hidden in a church with girl students during the Japanese invasion of Nanjing during World War II, stood up to “entertain” the Japanese soldiers at their camp in place of the students. The story of sacrifice and honor is beautifully interpreted with exquisite dance moves.

Times: 8 p.m., Dec. 14; 3 p.m., Dec. 15

Venue: Guangming Culture and Art Center, Guangming District (光明区光明文化艺术中心)

Metro: Line 6 to Fenghuang Town Station (凤凰城站), Exit B

Anime melodies

A piano and singing concert featuring beloved classic Japanese anime series will be held at the Shenzhen Grand Theater. This event promises to bring nostalgia and joy to fans of anime music with the memorable songs that have touched the hearts of many.

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 14

Ticketing: Official WeChat account “深圳大剧院票务在线”

Venue: Shenzhen Grand Theater, Luohu District（深圳大剧院）

Metro: Line 2 to Grand Theater Station（大剧院站）, Exit D