Light shows and more things to do in town
As 2022 draws to an end, many events are coming to town. Be sure to check our guide to upcoming events and fun things to do in Shenzhen.
Movies
The U.S. blockbuster “Avatar: The Way of Water,” the sequel to the 2009 hit “Avatar,” starts screening in China this Friday, the same day as in North America. It’s good news at a time when the film market has been lukewarm amid the pandemic. Meanwhile, several foreign movies are also being screened in Shenzhen: “Little Joe” (English), “Fall” (English), “Where the Crawdads Sing” (English), “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (English), “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” (German), “Les Choristes” (French), “Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween” (Japanese), and “One Piece Film: Red” (Japanese).
Ticketing: WeChat miniprograms “淘票票电影” or “猫眼
‘Glow Shenzhen’ light shows
Shenzhen is a city that embraces illumination like no other, and is currently presenting its “Glow Shenzhen” light shows. Themed “Chasing the Flowing Light,” “Glow Shenzhen” features 217 works of light art created by Chinese and international artists. Each district in the city spotlights different topics.
In Futian, works of light art are being displayed at Xiangmi Park (香蜜公园), Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆) and UpperHills (深业上城).
In Luohu, light performances will be held at GDH City • Jinpi Fang (粤海城•金啤坊) at 6:30-7:50 p.m., every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, through March 12, 2023. The brewery-turned site is also the main venue of the ninth Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture, so visitors can immerse themselves in the lights projected on old beer fermentation tanks. The nearest Metro station is Tai’an Station (太安站) on Line 5 or 7.
(Top) Lights are projected on the old brewery tanks at GDH City • Jinpi Fang in Luohu District. (Bottom) Visitors enjoy light installations at Xiangmi Park in Futian District. Photos from the organizers
Lianhua Hill Glades Music Festival
Locals’ beloved Lianhua Hill Glades Music Festival is back. The China National Symphony Orchestra, Futian Symphony Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and a local youth orchestra will give outdoor concerts at Lianhua Hill Park from Dec. 23 to 25. Free tickets will be rolled out in three batches. Audience members can claim the tickets Dec. 16, 18 and 20 at WeChat account “happyfutian.”
Venue: Lianhua Hill Park, Futian District (莲花山公园)
Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Park Station (少年宫站), Exit F
‘Art Meets Futian’s Central Axis’
Discover 20 public artworks that have been woven into the city’s central axis in Futian District. Themed “Art Meets the Central Axis,” the Fu[+] Infill Plan public art exhibition is being held in the south square of Civic Center (市民中心南广场) and outdoor areas of Link Central Walk (领展中心城) and Wongtee Plaza (皇庭广场). The exhibition runs through Feb. 12, 2023.
Metro: Line 1 or 4 to Convention and Exhibition Center Station (会展中心站), or Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center Station (市民中心站)
(L) The map of the Fu[+] Infill Plan public art exhibition in Futian District. (R) Some public artworks. Photos from the organizers
Percussion festival
Domestic percussion and jazz bands, as well as local school percussion orchestras, will give free shows at the 13th Shenzhen Percussion Cultural Festival.
Time: 7-9 p.m., Dec. 17-18
Venue: One Boulevard, One Avenue, Futian District (卓悦中心, 中央大街)
Metro: Line 1 or 10 to Gangxia Station (岗厦站), Exit B
Oyster festival
Oyster-dish tasting events and oyster-opening contests as well as live music, martial arts and Cantonese opera performances, will be held Dec. 23 to Jan. 10, 2023 in Shajing, Bao’an District. For more than 1,000 years, the Shajing people have been raising oysters and in 2007, the oyster breeding in Shajing, along with other local customs related to oysters, was listed in Shenzhen’s intangible cultural heritage.
Venues: Shajing Guxu and outside Yidetang, Bao’an District (沙井古墟和义德堂门口)
Metro: Line 11 to Shajing Station (沙井站), Exit B and then take a taxi
Locals taste oyster dishes at a previous Shajing Oyster Festival. Photos from the organizers
Fairs
Shenzhen Intl. Industrial Design Fair (SZIDF)
Dates: Dec. 17-20
Venue: Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, Futian District (深圳会展中心)
Metro: Line 1 or 4 to Convention and Exhibition Center Station (会展中心站), Exit D
Exhibitions
UABB
Hundreds of international exhibitors from 15 countries and regions are presenting their artworks and projects at the Ninth Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (UABB) which runs until March 12, 2023. Visitors to the main venue at GDH City • Jinpi Fang in Luohu District (罗湖区粤海城•金啤坊) need to book in advance (WeChat account "UABB-SZ"). The nearest Metro station is Tai’an Station (太安站) on Line 5 or 7.
Six subvenues have also been set up at Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub (前海深港青年梦工场) in Qianhai, Nantou Ancient Town (南头古城) in Nanshan District, International Low Carbon City (国际低碳城) in Longgang District, Dalang Fashion Town (大浪时尚小镇) in Longhua District, Dawan Ancestral Residence (大万世居) in Pingshan District and Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone.
The UABB's main venue, GDH City • Jinpi Fang in Luohu District. Photos courtesy of the UABB
teamLab
A permanent exhibition hall of teamLab (158 yuan) has opened at C Future City in Shenzhen and visitors can indulge themselves in various multimedia installations.
Time: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sun.-Thur.), 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), last entry before 9 p.m., closed every second Tuesday of each month
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
Visitors enjoy themselves at teamLab in Shenzhen. Photos by Lin Songtao
He Xiangning Art Museum
"Culture China: Through Frozen Soil, Desert and Glacier: The 5th Global Overseas Chinese Artists Exhibition," running through March 26, 2023, showcases more than 90 contemporary artworks by 16 artists around the world, while "We Are Like-minded Companions," running through Feb. 12, displays artworks by He Xiangning and Liu Yazi.
Booking: WeChat account “hxnartmuseum”
Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (南山区何香凝美术馆)
Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C
Florentijn Hofman
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman who creates playful urban installations like the Rubber Duck and the Hippopo Thames, will hold his solo exhibition at the art space at The MixC from Dec. 24 through March 26, 2023. When you visit the shopping mall, don't forget to check out its latest light decoration on the facade.
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
A poster of Florentijn Hofman's new exhibition at The MixC. (R) Festive lights are decorating the facade of The MixC. Photos from the organizers
Sea World
“Not About Money: Landing Meta” (98 yuan), running through March 5, 2023, showcases 33 installations and multimedia works created by 29 international artists, reviewing blockchain technology. “Beyond Borders: Architectures of Japan” (98 yuan), running through Feb. 19, 2023, displays architecture models, photos, drafts and videos of renowned Japanese architects, such as Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma and Fumihiko Maki.
“In Translation — The Contexts of Nature,” a free exhibition running through Jan. 6, 2023, shows photographic and video works by domestic and international artists. “An animal I Am!” (128 yuan), running through March 26, 2023, showcases Gabriel Rico’s works characterized by the interrelation of seemingly disparate objects. Rico pairs collected and manufactured materials to create sculptures that invite viewers to reflect on the relationship between humans and our nature.
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
Nanshan Museum
“The Culture of God of Wealth,” running through Feb. 5, 2023, 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, 2023, showcases elegant stationeries in traditional Chinese study rooms.
Booking: WeChat account “nanshanmuseum”
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
