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.

‘Glow Shenzhen’

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 Urbanism\Architecture, 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.

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 the 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)

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

Shajing 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 (Cao Zhen)