The best things to do in the Greater Bay Area this March

March is brimming with exciting events in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). From captivating musicals and ballet performances in Guangzhou to enchanting concerts and art exhibitions in Shenzhen, there’s something for everyone in the GBA. Explore the whimsical world of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, celebrate Victor Hugo’s legacy or immerse yourself in the playful illustrations of Serge Bloch. Don’t miss the vibrant Macao International Parade or a stunning underwater digital exhibition at the Grand Lisboa.

Whether you’re a fan of music, dance, art or cultural festivities, this month promises a rich tapestry of things to do in the GBA.

1. Guangzhou: The mane event

Performed at the Guangzhou Opera House, this contemporary Chinese musical follows three ambitious teenagers who try to change their destiny by becoming lion dancers in I Am What I Am , a musical inspired by Chinese animated hit film of the same name. A story of triumphing against the odds, expect breathtaking acrobatics and dazzling costumes alongside a moving story that will tug at your heartstrings.

20-21 March

2. Guangzhou: A dance of destiny

A story of love, death and vengeful judgement set in India, La Bayadère  (The Temple Dancer), led by legendary ballet dancer and choreographer Natalia Makarova, comes to life at the Guangzhou Opera House. This ground-breaking, challenging piece of art is performed by the National Ballet of China.

8 & 9 March  

3. Guangzhou: Dawn chorus

Long Yu, conductor of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, leads violinist Frank Huang of the New York Philharmonic in this stirring performance of Dawn on the Moscow River from Modest Mussorgsky’s unfinished opera, Khovanshchina, followed by scores from Brahms and Prokofiev, at the Xinghai Concert Hall.  

28 March

4. Shenzhen: Howl’s moving concert 

Performed by the Yin Huo Chong orchestra, this audio-visual spectacle takes the audience on a whimsical tour of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki’s classic films, set to music by Miyazaki’s longtime collaborator, composer Joe Hisaishi. Hisaishi’s iconic scores will be played alongside scenes from films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro, among others from Miyazaki’s oeuvre.

23 March

5. Shenzhen: Organ feats

In tribute to the 140th anniversary of the death of the great French writer Victor Hugo, Grammy-nominated organist Cameron Carpenter, known for his dramatic accompaniments of classic cinema, performs an original score inspired by and set to the 1923 silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame .

29 March 

6. Shenzhen: Bloch party

Explore the enchanting world of French illustrator Serge Bloch in Bonjour La Ligne , an immersive art exhibition featuring 86 illustrations and unique installations and made interactive with game installations and AR. Let Bloch’s playful characters guide you through his captivating storybook universe at the Guangming Culture and Art Center.

Until 6 April

7. Zhuhai: Love letters

This Chinese-language dramatic staging of Daddy-Long-Legs , a 1912 novel by Jean Webster, unfolds over the course of 81 letters sent by the orphan Jerusha to her mysterious benefactor as she transcends her painful upbringing and finds her voice as a writer. First serialised in Ladies’ Home Journal magazine over 100 years ago, it remains a literary classic to this day.  

29 March 

8. Macao: Seas the day 

Head to the Grand Lisboa and immerse yourself in a digital world beneath the sea with Macau Art City – Naked Ocean Exhibition . Created in collaboration with Japanese creative firm Naked Inc, this exhibition invites you to explore a virtual underwater world teeming with interactive marine life.  

Until 16 March

9. Macao: Cultural canvas

Though best known for its glitzy resorts and casinos, Macao has a rich creative scene. Learn all about the Macanese artists – and the renowned global artists who’ve called Macao home over the years – with New Perspectives: Modern and Contemporary Works from the Macau Museum of Art . Showcasing 100 contemporary works in a variety of media, this is a great introduction to Macao’s arts scene.  

Until 25 May

10. Macao: Festa fabulosa

Get ready to celebrate as a riot of colourful performers sing, dance and parade their way from the Ruins of St. Paul’s to Sai Van Lake Square in celebration of Macao’s reunification with the Chinese Mainland at the 2025 Macao International Parade . Expect high-energy dancers from around the world, performing everything from samba to street dance, Chinese opera and so much more, amping up the energy along the winding parade route that takes in some of Macao’s biggest attractions. The celebration concludes with a street party featuring music, light shows and games galore.  

23 March