The Shanghai Grand Theatre is now presenting its 2026 New Year Season, a festive lineup of performances and events running from Dec 24, 2025, to March 3, 2026, spanning both New Year's Day and Spring Festival.

Across its three stages, the season features 11 productions presented in 95 performances, ranging from musicals and drama to traditional opera, symphony concerts, and choral works. Alongside the performances, the theater will offer interactive experiences and special promotions designed to welcome the new year with creativity and warmth.

Season highlights

• On Dec 31, the Milan Symphony Orchestra will present two New Year's concerts, featuring European classics such as Fate Symphony and The Blue Danube, alongside well-loved Chinese works. The program blends European elegance with Chinese festive spirit, creating a memorable New Year's Eve celebration.
• Jan 3 and 4, the acclaimed One Voice Children's Choir from the United States returns to Shanghai, bringing its angelic voices to beloved Chinese songs and global pop hits, opening the year on a joyful and uplifting note.
• Jan 9 to 11 sees the premiere of Su Dongpo, a Yueju Opera production co-created by playwright He Jiping and director Ryo Szeto, starring celebrated performer Mao Weitao, bringing the poetic elegance of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to the stage.
• Jan 23 to 25, the popular stage comedy The Magic Hour is back for its third run. Its story of mistaken identities and an extra's dream of becoming a hitman delivers a lively dose of festive humor.
• From Feb 11 to March 29, London's West End production of Matilda the Musical graces the Shanghai Grand Theatre. Adapted from Roald Dahl's classic and winner of over 100 international awards, this imaginative production follows the brave and book-loving Matilda as she changes her destiny with courage and wit.

For the full schedule, follow the Shanghai Grand Theatre's WeChat account (search for ID: sgt19980827).

Arts engagement

The theater's New Year arts experience day on Jan 1 will open selected backstage areas and offer interactive workshops, allowing the public to engage with artists and explore the theater's inner workings.

Throughout the season, visitors may also encounter spontaneous musical moments, sing-along sessions, and fireside concerts in various spaces, creating a sense of art and community at the start of the new year.

Special offers

To mark the season, the theater has prepared surprise gifts. New Year gift packs will be hidden randomly at select seats during certain performances, offering lucky attendees a commemorative card and a special theater gift box.

Additionally, starting from Dec 25, a limited-edition New Year product will be available via the theater's WeChat mini program. The package includes two tickets, randomly selected from performances not only at the Shanghai Grand Theatre but also potentially at Theatre Young or Jiangsu province's Suzhou Shishan Grand Theatre, along with curated merchandise and discount vouchers, extending the festive spirit into a broader cultural experience.

Source: WeChat account of Shanghai Grand Theatre at "sgt19980827"