The good stuff — theatre, screenings, outdoor trips, markets — happens in Chinese, on WeChat and 小红书, and rarely makes it into English. We translate what's worth your time, sourced from the local organizers who run it. A light list lives here; the full picture lands in the newsletter.
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Theatre listings come from 白's column — read the full picks.
What's on in Xiamen 🎭 🎷 Jazz Without Borders — Gulangyu Concert Hall Sat, Aug 1 · Sat 19:30 · Gulangyu Concert Hall (鼓浪屿音乐厅) · ¥40–70 🎭 《她们》(They) — Stage Play Fri, Aug 7 – Sat, Aug 8 · Fri–Sat 20:00 · Xiamen Tan Kah Kee Theatre (嘉庚剧院) 🎹 Chen Sa — Piano Recital Sun, Aug 9 · Sun 19:30 · Minnan Grand Theatre (闽南大戏院) · ¥80–480 (2-seat packages from ¥500) 🎻 Twelve Seasons — Sardinian Duo from Italy Mon, Aug 10 · Mon 19:30 · Minnan Grand Theatre (闽南大戏院) · ¥100–680 🎵 《六个说谎的大学生》(Six Lying College Students) — Musical Fri, Aug 14 – Sat, Aug 15 · Fri–Sat 20:00 · Xiamen Tan Kah Kee Theatre (嘉庚剧院) · Early-bird/member from ~¥300 🎤 Laurent Ban — Thousand Layers of Love (2026 Tour) Fri, Aug 21 · Minnan Grand Theatre (闽南大戏院) 💃 Her Kucha (她的龟兹) — Silk Road Dance Drama Sun, Aug 23 · Sun 19:30 · Minnan Grand Theatre (闽南大戏院) · ¥80–480 🎭 Heart at Ease: Dongpo (心安东坡) — Musical Thu, Sep 3 – Fri, Sep 4 · Thu–Fri 19:30 · Minnan Grand Theatre (闽南大戏院) · TBC 🦊 The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse — Family Musical Wed, Oct 7 · Wed (National Day week) · Minnan Grand Theatre (闽南大戏院) · ¥80 More in English → https://smartxiamen.com/events/
A jazz and pop wind-ensemble night inside the concert hall on the piano island itself — and tickets cost less than the ferry snacks.
A new stage play written by Wan Fang and directed by Wang Keran, with an ensemble cast led by Li Qinqin, Wang Jing, Wang Lejun and Zhang Yanqi.
One of China's finest pianists — a two-time juror of the International Chopin Competition — returns to Xiamen with an all-new programme.
An Italian duo from Sardinia brings a Mediterranean take on the seasons to the Minnan Grand Theatre's main stage.
A workplace-mystery musical adapted from Akinari Asakura's hit Japanese novel — melody on trial, lies exposed in song.
The French musical-theatre star brings his solo concert tour to Xiamen — a night of West End / Broadway-flavoured voice.
Star dancer Gulmina leads a full-scale dance drama about the ancient Silk Road kingdom of Kucha — pure spectacle, no dialogue.
A lavish Chinese musical about the Song-dynasty poet Su Dongpo. Sung in Chinese — go for the staging, not the lyrics.
The Oscar-winning picture book comes to the Minnan Grand Theatre as a family musical — gentle, visual, and just ¥80.
A taste of what usually fills the calendar.
Message us your dates and what caught your eye — we'll get you the details, help with booking, and bring you along if you'd rather not go alone.
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