Changning Looks to Strike a Chord with International Accordion Art Week
The 8th International Accordion Culture and Arts Week, part of the 2026 Shanghai Spring International Music Festival, will take place in Changning District in late March, featuring top musicians from seven countries.
Running from March 30 to April 6, the event will gather elite accordion artists from Russia, Moldova, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Finland, along with accomplished performers from China's Yangtze River Delta region.
Headlining the week is a gala concert at Hongqiao Art Center on April 4. It will bring together winners of the classical and pop categories at the 78th Coupe Mondiale, which was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, last September, to perform on the same stage, creating an artistic dialogue between classic and contemporary styles.
The event will stage a pop-up performance at Hongqiao International Airport Terminal 2, welcoming arriving visitors with Shanghai folk songs and contemporary music.
At Shanghai Zoo, the "Art Tour in the Park" program will combine accordion performances with natural scenery. An open-air street concert on the lawn of the Changning Children's Palace will invite public participation, bringing professional art into daily urban life.
Themed Accordion Art Map tourism packages will be launched by Shanghai Spring Tour and SAL Tours during the week. The packages link cultural experiences, sightseeing, dining and retail.
Some of the highlights:
"The Most Hongqiao" Music Pop-up
A music pop-up performance will welcome travelers with accordion versions of Shanghai folk tunes, pop, and world music, offering a delightful welcome upon their arrival.
Date: April 2, 3-4pm
Venue: Arrival Hall of Terminal 2, Hongqiao International Airport
Shanghai Zoo Special Performance
Accordion performances will be staged at the scenic spot, creating an "immersive, audible and visible" experience. Co-branded tourism products will be launched with travel agencies and local hotels.
Date: April 6, 9am-10:15am (pop-up), 10:30am-11:30am (concert)
Venue: Shanghai Zoo
"Tradition Meets Modernity" Gala Concert & "Most Hongqiao" Spring Extravaganza
The concert brings together champions of the 78th Coupe Mondiale (classical and pop categories) to perform together. Authentic tango and electronic accordion creative works will deliver a feast to the ears. It also features a mixed lineup of veteran, middle-aged, and young artists from China and abroad, including local Shanghai champions and international award winners.
Date: April 4, 7:15pm
Venue: Hongqiao Art Center
Open Mic Event Hosted by Shanghai Musician Association
An open stage for all ages will break professional-amateur boundaries, with professional masters providing on-site guidance, making accordion art accessible to the public and highlighting Changning's cultural heritage.
Date: April 5, 9:30am
Venue: Changning District Children's Palace Lawn
