What's on:Beijing, Shanghai

Beijing

Christmas concerts

The Forbidden City Concert Hall will host a series of performances to celebrate Christmas. Veteran conductor Yang Hongnian will lead The Children and Young Women Chorus of the China National Symphony Orchestra, to present festival favorites such as Jingle Bells, Ave Maria and Edelweiss. On Dec 27, a classical Christmas concert will feature American countertenor Daniel Bubeck (pictured) and harp performer Eva Legne, among others.

7:30 pm, Dec 25, 27. Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square. 010-6559-8285

Turkish dance

In 2004, a Turkish dance Fire of Anatolia triggered a nationwide craze for belly dancing. Six years later, this wildly popular dance returns to the nation's stages with some of Turkey's top performers presenting a night of belly dancing, folk dancing and tap dancing to mark the start of its 2010 China tour.

7:30 pm, Dec 17, 18. Beijing Exhibition Center Theater, 135 Xizhimen Waidajie, Xicheng district. 010-6417-7845, 400-610-3721

Quarterly auction

A preview of the 24th Guardian Quarterly auction revealed more than 4,000 works of ink calligraphy, besides paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and vintage moutai and pu'er tea. The auction will be held at the same venue from Dec 18 to 20.

9 am-5 pm, until Dec 18. Beijing International Hotel, 9 Jianguomennei Dajie, Dongcheng district. 010-6512-6688

One-man show

Young artist Zang Kunkun is holding an exhibition of his oil paintings, installations and mixed-media works. On show are about 30 of his latest works that are "philosophically charged", according to curator Zhu Zhu.

10 am-6 pm, until Jan 31. Linda Gallery, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district. 010-5978-9565

Autumn bonanza

More than 1,000 works of art are on display at the Future Sifang auctions autumn sales. Highlights include works by contemporary artists Xu Bing, Chen Wenling and Wang Mingxian, and calligraphy by veteran artist Ma Zikai. The exhibition pieces will go under the hammer at the same venue on Dec 22.

9 am-5 pm, Dec 20-21. Beijing Hotel, 33 East Changan Avenue. 010-6513 7766

Ink paintings

A retrospective of veteran ink artist Shen Xichun (1910-2008) is being held at the Arc Gallery. On display are more than 40 ink works of animals, landscapes and figures.

9 am-6 pm, until Dec 18. 33 East Changan Avenue, Dongcheng district. 010-8500-4151

Shanghai

Philharmonic concert

Joe Hisaishi will conduct the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra to present classical music and his most-loved compositions. The Japanese composer, pianist, conductor and writer is best known for his music for the animation movies by Hayao Miyazaki.

7:30 pm, Dec 18, 19. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu. 021-6217-2426

Christmas melody

The upcoming concert by Austria's Brassissimo Wien will have Strauss waltzes, opera melodies by Mozart, Bizet and Rossini, as well as jolly Christmas songs. The group comprises five musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who have toured the United States, Japan, and many countries in Europe, since 1990, when they formed their own band.

7:30 pm, Dec 24. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu. 021-6217-2426

Countryside scenes

Lou Shenyi's latest paintings, entitled Never Land, depict the landscape and lifestyle of water towns, in simple colors and compositions, reflecting the artist's longing for quiet country life.

10 am-6 pm, Dec 3-Jan 16

Red Bridge Gallery, A3-103 570 Huaihai Xilu. 021-6280-1089