The 2026 Shanghai International Guitar Season will take place from July 25 to 30 in Minhang district, bringing together more than 100 global guitarists. This six-day festival offers an engaging array of performances and activities.

Four major concerts featuring world-class artists

This year's festival showcases an extraordinary lineup of performances. The opening concert will take place on July 25 at the Grand Neobay International Convention Center. Renowned Austrian classical guitarist Marco Tamayo, widely regarded as one of the world's leading guitarists, will perform alongside acclaimed guitar virtuosos and musicians from China's leading music conservatories.

On July 27, the He Luting Concert Hall at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music will host a joint guitar showcase, bringing together instructors from more than 10 music academies across China, including the Central Conservatory of Music, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, and the Sichuan Conservatory of Music.

On July 28, in collaboration with FM94.7 Classical, the festival will present a live-streamed guitar concert at the Radio Shanghai Arts Center. Artists including Russian classical guitarist Dimitri Illarionov and Martha Masters, president of the Guitar Foundation of America, will take the stage. Audiences can attend in person or tune in online.

The closing ceremony will be held on July 30 at the Poly Shanghai City Theater. Renowned voice actor and performing artist Qiao Zhen will make a special appearance. The performance will feature crossover elements that incorporate saxophone and accordion, alongside acclaimed Italian guitarist Micaela Pittaluga.

Music at metro station and airport

The festival will bring music into public spaces on July 26. In the afternoon, classical guitar concerts will take place at People's Square metro station, while in the evening, they will be held at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Terminal 2 for arriving travelers.

Intimate concerts and diverse activities

From July 25 to 29, the Jiangchuan Cultural Center will host intimate concerts by prominent guitarists each evening. On July 24 and 25, Jinping Road Pedestrian Street will transform into a music-themed market, where visitors can enjoy live performances while exploring the stalls. On July 28, the Radio Shanghai Arts Center will host master classes and live interviews, offering audiences a chance to engage with international guitar artists and gain professional insights.

Most events this year are free public performances. For more details, follow the Minhang district government's official WeChat account, "minghangnews".

Sources: Jiangchuan Road subdistrict, Minhang district government