This weekend, the, the China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) is back for its 22nd edition. It's gonna be a big foray for all us in town with 79 shows in all the major theaters and concert venues around town.

This is one big encouraging sign that Shanghai roaring back with bringing overseas talent and is reclaiming its position as an international destination for performing arts and music. It's about time!

Some of the big names coming to Shanghai for the festival include: The Mariinsky Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev; the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Zubin Mehta; Bejart Ballet Lausanne, which transformed traditional ballet into a modern art form; and the American Ballet Theatre, the national ballet company of the United States based in New York.

Here are a few of our top picks. Click the red "buy tickets" button above any entry to purchase tickets in English directly through SmartShanghai.

This is the outdoor opening gala concert for the China Shanghai International Arts Festival. Star conductors Christoph Eschenbach and Xu Zhong serve as the music directors. The performance will also feature renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov and soprano Angela Georgiou, sharing the stage for the first time. The Festival Orchestra comprises outstanding musicians from China's premier symphony orchestras, including the China National Symphony Orchestra, the National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra, and the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, among others. The concert is on October 14 at 7:30 pm. Please note: Purchasing tickets for this event requires ID/passport details, and attendees must bring their ID to the venue

The Mariinsky Orchestra is one of the oldest musical ensembles in Russia. It's history goes back to the early 18th century and the development of the Court Instrumental Chapel. The orchestra has had the honor of being the first to perform many operas and ballets by Tchaikovsky, operas by Glinka, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. Since 1988, the orchestra has been directed by Valery Gergiev, an outstanding figure in the music world. Together, they will arrive in Oriental Arts Center on October 17, performing Prokofiev’s classics, in memorial of the 70th anniversary of the death of the musician. Note: Arrive early. The first half of the concert lasts about 40 minutes. Latecomers cannot be admitted until intermission time.

The Bejart Ballet Lausanne, a distinguished company embodying the revolutionary spirit of Béjart—who transformed classical ballet into a modern art form—presents a captivating evening featuring "Tous les hommes presque toujours s’imaginent" by Gil Roman and "7 Danses Grecques" by Maurice Béjart. These performances are scheduled over three nights, from October 19 to 21, at the Shanghai Culture Square.

This year celebrates the 210th anniversary of Richard Wagner's birth. Renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, accompanied by nearly 300 artists from the Mariinsky Theater—one of Russia's most prestigious classical art theaters—will present a newly produced version of "The Ring of the Nibelung" (also known as "Der Ring des Nibelungen"). This cycle of four German-language epic music dramas was composed by Richard Wagner. Remarkably, Shanghai will be the first city to showcase all four parts of this rendition of "The Ring." The performance spans four nights, with one chapter presented each evening. Attendees should note that each show lasts between 3 to 4 hours, including intermissions, and is sung in German with Chinese subtitles. Please plan your schedule accordingly.

Relative Calm is a dance piece by Lucinda Childs with designs by Robert Wilson and music by Jon Gibson. It consisted of four parts: I. “Rise” — II. “Race” — III. “Reach” — IV. “Return.” The show will be performed at Shangyin Opera House from November 18 to November 19.

Under the baton of world-famous conductor Zubin Mehta, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra is performing two nights of concerts in Shanghai. On the program are selections from Tchaikovsky’s and Verdi's famous pieces. Check out the full program for more information. Ticket price ranges from 280 to 1680rmb.

American Ballet Theatre bring 3 works: ‘ Piano Concerto No.1’ , ‘Petite Mort’ and ‘ Études’ to Shanghai Grand Theater for two nights only from November 2 to 3. ABT is considered one of the greatest dance companies in the world, revered as a living national treasure since its founding in 1939. ABT annually performs for 300,000 people and has made more than 30 international tours to 45 countries. The show length is 124 minutes including 2 intermissions.

The American Ballet Theatre, esteemed as one of the world's premier dance companies, has been celebrated as a national treasure since its inception in 1939. Each year, ABT performs for over 300,000 people and has embarked on more than 30 international tours, spanning 45 countries. "Giselle" weaves a romantic narrative of pure love and betrayal. Set on a radiant autumn morning in the Middle Ages, the story unfolds as Duke Albrecht of Silesia becomes enamored with Giselle, a demure and lovely peasant girl. What begins as a tender romance soon spirals into tragedy, marked by spirits, enchantment, and a poignant conclusion. The performance is scheduled for November 4 and 5 at the Shanghai Grand Theater.

Akram Khan’s new work Outwitting the Devil is inspired by the myth of Gilgamesh. Young Gilgamesh determines to establish his fame and fortify the city of Uruk as a monument to himself. But the killing of Humbaba and destruction of the forest and its animals angers the gods, who punish the young king by taking the life of his beloved Enkidu. Confronted with the truth and sorrow of human mortality, Gilgamesh passes into history, to become a fragment among the broken remnants of human culture and memory. From October 27 to 29, the show is 80 minutes with no intermission.

Hailing from Mozart's birthplace in Austria, the CAMERATA Salzburg will collaborate with the internationally renowned cellist Trey Lee on November 18 to deliver the quintessential German-Austrian sound. Recognized as an authoritative interpreter of Mozart's compositions, the CAMERATA will present his magnum opus – Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter." This piece stands as Mozart's last symphony and is the crowning achievement among his trio of great symphonies.

The famous Jewish writer, polemicist and political and cultural activist S. Ansky's 1914 play The Dybbuk is his most famous work, which has been called the brightest pearl in the history of Jewish theater. The show tells the story of a pair of friends who make a marriage contract for their children, but when the two children grow up, the girl is promised to someone else by her father, and the poor boy turns to the dybbuk for help. The play was described by Israel Today as ‘impeccable, with the utmost concentration and intelligence in every aspect, and the imagery is well chosen and beautifully rendered on stage.’ The show is in Hebrew, with Chinese & English subtitles.

Founded in 1977 by Boris Eifman, the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg showcases the genius of its creator, who has crafted over forty ballet performances. Eifman, honored with titles such as People’s Artist of Russia and Laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation, among others, brings his interpretation of "Anna Karenina" to Shanghai on November 2 and 3. In this rendition, Eifman distills Leo Tolstoy’s expansive novel to its emotional core, concentrating on the impassioned love triangle between Anna, Karenin, and Vronsky.

"Eugene Onegin" is Boris Eifman's dance interpretation of Alexander Pushkin's novel in verse. In this ballet, Eifman masterfully melds the classical with the contemporary. Pushkin's characters symbolically represent modern men and women: individuals navigating profound societal shifts and existing in an era of transition. The ballet's soundtrack is a striking blend of Pyotr Tchaikovsky's classical compositions and the rock music of Alexander Sitkovetsky, a combination that enhances Eifman's innovative vision. "Eugene Onegin" offers a unique lens through which to view a quintessential literary tale from a contemporary perspective. Performances are scheduled for 7:15 pm on November 4 and 2 pm on November 5.

Living Room is Inbal Pinto's newest work and original production of Suzanne Dellal Centre. Infused with humor, fantasy, and dramatic flair, the show receives exclusive invitations to major dance festivals. In a setting of one table, one chair, a single lamp, and a solitary wall, everything can lead you to a dance. The show will run from November 4 to 5. Price ranges from 180 to 680rmb.