Cover ‘Carmina Burana’ by the Hong Kong Ballet, which is one of the arts happenings during Shanghai Art Month in November 2025 (Photo: courtesy of the Hong Kong Ballet and Issac Lam)
‘Carmina Burana’ by the Hong Kong Ballet, which is one of the arts happenings during Shanghai Art Month in November 2025 (Photo: courtesy of the Hong Kong Ballet and Issac Lam)
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Shanghai’s annual Art Month has officially begun, and the city is brimming with opportunities to explore theatre, design and contemporary art—from China’s oldest biennale to the return of the iconic musical ‘Les Misérables’.
Every November, Shanghai embraces an artistic transformation. Though the cosmopolitan metropolis’s art fair scene may be younger than those of New York or Paris, its depth of culture and architecture makes every experience distinctive. From hosting major international fairs such as West Bund Art & Design and the Shanghai Biennale to welcoming Broadway and Hong Kong productions, Shanghai stands proudly on the global art map.
As the city transforms into an open-air gallery for the month, its blend of heritage architecture and cutting-edge creativity ensures every experience feels exceptional. Whether attending a grand musical, exploring avant-garde exhibitions or dining amid cinematic history, Art Month Shanghai 2025 promises a celebration of imagination that truly captures the city’s vibrant cultural soul.
Whether you’re an avid collector, a culture enthusiast or simply exploring the city beyond its usual attractions, here are seven must-see highlights of the season.
1. ‘Les Misérables’
Above ‘Les Misérables’, which will be staged at the Shanghai Grand Theatre starting from November 2025 (Image: courtesy of smartshanghai.com)
‘Les Misérables’, which will be staged at the Shanghai Grand Theatre starting from November 2025 (Image: courtesy of smartshanghai.com)
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When: November 4–December 28, 2025
Where: Shanghai Grand Theatre
What: In 2002, Les Misérables became the first Western musical to be performed at Shanghai Grand Theatre. Two decades later, it returns for its 40th-anniversary staged concert spectacle presented by Shanghai Media Group. Adapted from Victor Hugo’s enduring novel, this celebrated production captivates audiences with its timeless themes of love, sacrifice and redemption. Featuring more than 65 cast and orchestra members, the reimagined staging offers a grand, cinematic experience designed for large theatres.
2. ‘A Kind of Language: Storyboards and Other Renderings for Cinema’ at Prada Rong Zhai
Above ‘A Kind of Language: Storyboards and Other Renderings for Cinema’ at Prada Rong Zhai, Shanghai (Photo: courtesy of Prada and Prada Rong Zhai)
‘A Kind of Language: Storyboards and Other Renderings for Cinema’ at Prada Rong Zhai, Shanghai (Photo: courtesy of Prada and Prada Rong Zhai)
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When: November 4, 2025–February 1, 2026
Where: Prada Rong Zhai
What: A new exhibition, A Kind of Language: Storyboards and Other Renderings for Cinema, adds depth to the historic Prada Rong Zhai's already rich cultural programming. The mansion-turned art and dining space presents more than 800 storyboards and renderings from Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Hollywood, Studio Ghibli and acclaimed Chinese directors, spanning from the late 1920s to 2024. The exhibition unveils the creative process behind cinematic storytelling. Afterwards, enjoy the culinary artistry of Mi Shang, a dining concept developed in collaboration with Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar-wai and inspired by his acclaimed filmography.
Don’t miss: Wong Kar-wai meets art and heritage at Prada Rong Zhai, Shanghai’s historic mansion
3. ‘The Great Camouflage’ at Rockbund Art Museum
Above Rockbund Art Museum (left) and its plaza in Shanghai (Photo: courtesy of Rockbund)
Rockbund Art Museum (left) and its plaza in Shanghai (Photo: courtesy of Rockbund)
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When: November 6, 2025–April 26, 2026
Where: Rockbund Art Museum
What: Marking the 15th anniversary of Shanghai’s non-profit Rockbund Art Museum, The Great Camouflage brings together 16 contemporary artists and collectives working across film, video, theatre and textiles. Co-curated by Los Angeles- and Berlin-based artist and writer Kandis Williams, the exhibition examines the geopolitical entanglements between Africa and Asia in the mid-20th century through a lens of global connectivity and cultural camouflage.
4. Shanghai Biennale: Does the flower hear the bee?
Above Shanghai Biennale at the Power Station of Art (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
Shanghai Biennale at the Power Station of Art (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
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When: November 8, 2025–March 31, 2026
Where: Power Station of Art
What: Founded in 1996, the Shanghai Biennale is China’s oldest and most influential international contemporary art exhibition. Since 2012, it has been held at the Power Station of Art, which is the nation’s first state-run museum for contemporary art.
This year’s edition, curated by Canadian curator Kitty Scott, draws inspiration from the question Does the flower hear the bee?, exploring the many systems of communication found in nature. Alongside works by 67 artists and collectives, the biennale also features panel discussions, workshops and live music events across its five-month run.
5. West Bund Art & Design
Above West Bund Art & Design in Shanghai (Image: Instagram/@westbundartfair)
West Bund Art & Design in Shanghai (Image: Instagram/@westbundartfair)
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When: November 13–16, 2025
Where: West Bund International Convention and Exhibition Center
What: Shanghai’s largest international art and design fair returns to the West Bund waterfront, featuring nearly 200 galleries, designer brands and institutions across five venues. Visitors can expect a dynamic showcase spanning painting, sculpture, video art, design installations and emerging AI-driven works—making the 2025 edition one of the fair’s most interactive to date.
6. Art021 Shanghai
Above ‘Untitled’ (2025) by Huma Bhabha, shown at Art021 Shanghai (Image: courtesy of Huma Bhabha and David Zwirner)
‘Untitled’ (2025) by Huma Bhabha, shown at Art021 Shanghai (Image: courtesy of Huma Bhabha and David Zwirner)
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When: November 13–16, 2025
Where: Shanghai Exhibition Center
What: Running concurrently with West Bund, Art021—founded by collectors Kylie Ying, Bao Yifeng and David Chau in 2013—presents 139 galleries and projects from 22 countries and regions. Representing 50 cities worldwide, this year’s line-up welcomes 33 first-time exhibitors, including Lisson Gallery and Grimm. Now in its 12th year, the fair continues to cement Shanghai’s place as a global hub for contemporary art.
7. ‘The Last Song’ and ‘Carmina Burana’ by the Hong Kong Ballet
Above ‘Carmina Burana’ by the Hong Kong Ballet, now showing in Shanghai (Photo: courtesy of the Hong Kong Ballet and Tony Luk)
‘Carmina Burana’ by the Hong Kong Ballet, now showing in Shanghai (Photo: courtesy of the Hong Kong Ballet and Tony Luk)
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When: November 14 and 15, 2025
Where: The New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center
What: The Hong Kong Ballet returns to Shanghai alongside the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for a weekend of breathtaking performance. The first piece, The Last Song, choreographed by resident artist Ricky Hu and set to the music of JS Bach, imagines an artist’s bond with his muse, inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Nightingale and the Rose. The second, Carmina Burana, choreographed by artistic director Septime Webre, evokes the raw power of Carl Orff’s music through 24 lyrical poems on love, fate and passion drawn from 12th-century texts—an unmissable finale to the city’s artistic month.
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
