Recently, the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports, the Longgang District People’s Government, and the Shenzhen Concert Hall, in collaboration with Switzerland’s “Verbier Festival” and Wu Promotion, jointly announced that the first Asian edition of the “Verbier Festival” will take place in Shenzhen in 2026. This international-level music event, aimed at global classical music enthusiasts, is set to establish a new benchmark for classical music festivals in Asia.
The Verbier Festival is one of the most prestigious international classical music events held every summer, renowned for its gathering of master musicians and often referred to as the “classical music circle’s social network.” Verbier is not just a performance platform but also a hub for artistic ideas, educational approaches, and cross-disciplinary innovation. Its “Academy” and “Next Generation” programs have nurtured countless rising international stars, attracting high-net-worth individuals from around the world each year. This has created a cultural ecosystem centered on art and lifestyle, earning Verbier the nickname “the Davos of classical music.”
In recent years, Asia has rapidly emerged as a new engine for classical music development—boasting a solid foundation in arts education, a vast consumer market, and an increasingly strong global influence. Against this backdrop, the Verbier Festival is about to embark on an exciting new chapter, blending this world-class music event with Asian culture.
Shenzhen, a young and dynamic city, is not only known for its “technology + culture” integration model but also demonstrates forward-thinking vision in building international art brands. The city’s unique cultural innovation DNA and shared pursuit of artistic excellence deeply attracted the Verbier Festival, fostering a cultural resonance bridging East and West.
2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland. At this special juncture, the Verbier Festival’s arrival in Shenzhen not only signifies the launch of a dual-city artistic collaboration—”Summer in Verbier, Winter in Shenzhen”—but also builds a new platform for cultural exchange between the two nations, injecting fresh vitality into mutual appreciation and dialogue.
As China’s most innovative and international metropolis, Shenzhen boasts world-class cultural facilities, a strategic location connecting Southeast Asia, and a rich Lingnan cultural heritage. The city’s ecological harmony and urban vibrancy complement each other, while cutting-edge technology and cultural innovation merge seamlessly, vividly illustrating contemporary China’s open and inclusive civilization.
The arrival of the Verbier Festival in Shenzhen is expected to create a high-end artistic lifestyle for Asian classical music lovers. Through sustained operations, it will establish a globally recognizable cultural tourism brand, enhancing the city’s cultural soft power and boosting its tourism industry. This will further elevate Shenzhen’s cultural appeal and consumption capacity, serving as a key driver in its journey toward becoming an “international art capital.”
The Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports will take the lead in organizing the “Shenzhen-Verbier” music event by introducing the brand, integrating resources, and innovating models, leveraging Shenzhen’s local advantages in cultural tourism. The Verbier Festival is scheduled to run from January 30 to February 8, 2026, spanning 10 days with 25 concerts and related events.
The festival’s star-studded lineup includes internationally acclaimed musicians such as Martha Argerich, Joshua Bell, Mischa Maisky, Janine Jansen, Mikhail Pletnev, Gautier Capuçon, Bryn Terfel, Bruce Liu, Daniel Lozakovich, Alexander Malofeev, Marc Bouchkov, Timothy Ridout, and Daniel Blendulf. These artists, who rarely share the same stage, will come together to deliver once-in-a-lifetime performances.
△ Martha Argerich, the “High Priestess of Piano”
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