Operatic endeavours

The symphony orchestra of the China National Opera and Dance Drama Company will give a New Year concert featuring the Blue Danube, Rose Waltz and Anna Polka. Conducted by Zhang Zheng, the concert will present the classic works of Johann Strauss with a lively, style and fresh rhythm. 80-680 yuan. 7:30pm, Jan 2 at Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District. 6605-7006.

A hop, skip and a jump

The National Ballet of China, founded in 1964, puts on a New Year performance including both Chinese and Western classic ballet excerpts, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Carmen, Arlesienne, and Chinese ballets such as Torch Festival, Butterfly Lovers, and The Red Detachment of Women. The cast includes its main members: Zhu Yan, Yu Bo and Meng Ningning. 20-380 yuan. 7:30pm, at Peking University Concert Hall, , Haidian District. 6275-2279.

Melodies from ienna

A New Year concert by the Vienna Johann Strauss Waltz Orchestra. Includes Fledermaus Overture, Annen Polka, Carmen Suite and others. 100-1,680 yuan. 7:30pm, Dec 30 at Century Theatre, Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 6468-3311.

No earplugs needed

Zhang Huoding's Peking Opera orchestra concert is set to be a big event for all Peking Opera fans. Zhang's singing flows with a vivid rhythm. Her posture is graceful and her expression vivid. Born in Jilin Province in 1971, Zhang has loved Peking Opera since her childhood. She started her career at the age of 15 in Beijing. 180-1,000 yuan. 7:30pm, Jan 3 at Great Hall of the People, west of Tian'anmen Square. 6417-7845.

Swan Lake, Siberian style

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia will stage their repertoire Swan Lake. This immortal love story with magic, emotion and elegance is accompanied by Tchaikovsky's beautiful score. 7:30pm, Dec 28 at Great Hall of the People.

Latino luvin'

Pianist Du Taihang and his companions will ring in the New Year with a Latin music concert. Du, together with violinist Chai Liang, accordionist Cao Xiaoxing, cellist Chen Ziping and guitarist Li Jie have promised a performance to get your hips wiggling. 7:30pm, Dec 27 at Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, Northwest of Tian'anmen Square. 6559-8285.

Songs for charity

A charity concert will be given on Christmas Eve by the orchestra and chorus of the Beijing Young Women's Christian Association. Programmes: symphony, traditional Chinese music, chamber music, and Christmas songs. 80-380 yuan. 7:30pm, Dec 24 at Goldsail Concert Hall, 24 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6528-9047.

Rocking ballet

Pink Floyd was a British psychedelic rock band founded in 1965. Their early albums were spacey and experimental. They grew from the fringes to the top of the charts. Based on their melodies, a ballet by National Ballet of China will reproduce the passion of rock. 80-680 yuan. 7:30pm, Dec 28-30, at Tianqiao Theatre, 30 Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District. 8315-6170

Old favourites

Familiar Christmas songs will entertain audiences on Christmas Eve. Programmes include mixed choruses of "Silent Night" and "Edelweiss," Schubert's "Serenade," "Ave Maria," and a trio of Berceuse and Italian folk songs. 80-480 yuan. 7:30pm, Dec 24 at Haidian Theatre, 84 Haidian Lu. 6255-8026.

Exhibitions

Picture this

Photos selected from more than 11,000 reflecting the architectural and sociological changes taking place across Beijing are displayed at an exhibition. It puts the spotlight on Beijing's historical sites, architecture, ancient streets and life in the hutong areas. 20 yuan. 9am-5pm, until Dec 25 at the National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6401-7076.

In memory of a master

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the death of the great Chinese literati Lu Xun, an exhibition of wood-block print works is on. It was Lu Xun who helped develop the art genre of wood-block carved print, when he had such illustrations in his books in 1930s. The modern works continue the traditional technique, and cover portraits, landscapes, still-life and abstract works. 20 yuan. 9am-5pm, until Dec 26 at the National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 6401-7076.

Big, bronze and beautiful

The China National Museum's collection has been enlarged with the addition of a batch of precious cultural relics including a ceremonial bronze cauldron from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100BC), a carved, wooden sculpture from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and many more pieces. Weighing 230 kilograms and at a height of 103 centimetres, the cauldron, called Zilong Ding, is the biggest of its kind from the Shang, unearthed in Henan Province in the 1920s. 20-30 yuan. 8:30am-4:30pm, at the China National Museum, East of Tian'anmen Square. 6512-8901.

German inspiration

Influenced by German Mew Expressionism during their stay in Germany, Tan Ping and Zhu Jinshi's works focus on abstract expression. Employing vivid colours and curling lines, the two artists present an interesting dialogue through their artistic language. 9 am-4 pm, Dec 22-Jan 4 at the gallery of Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District. 5862-1100 ext 142.

Serve the people

A group exhibition of works by Lu Xiao and his non-professional-painter friends of the post-80s generation display oil paintings, gouaches, photographs, sculptures, installations and animation pieces, showing their vitality and emotion. With a slogan that "We are not avant-garde, we are ourselves," Wu claims their works serve the needs of viewers and the times. Free. 11am-7pm, until Dec 22 at Beijing Art Now Gallery, in the Workers' Stadium, Chaoyang District. 6551-1632.

Cheap treats

An affordable exhibition for those who don't want to dig too deep before checking out pieces of contemporary art. Exhibits include My Pet by Liu Yujun and Red Gossip by Sun Guanghua. 15 yuan. 9am-midnight, until Dec 24 at Artist Village Gallery, 1 North of Rencun, Songzhuang, Tongzhou District. 6959-8343.

Rural majesty

Ren Jingqin's water-colours depict scenes of wandering wilderness. Under his brush, mountain villages hide behind clouds of cooking smoke, red-crowned cranes stand majestically in streams, elegant swans play on lakes and flocks of sheep stroll along fields illuminated by a setting sun. Free. 10am-5pm, until Dec 25 at the Melodic Gallery, 14 Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 6515-8123.

Inner beauty

Korean artist Cha Min-Young's solo show explores the status of the inner world of modern people. Free. 11am-5pm, until Dec 28 at the Pyo Gallery Beijing, Beihuqu Lu, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District. 5202-3814.

A talented trio

Oil paintings by Zhu Wei, Xu Lei and Peng Wei. Zhu's paintings are very recognizable: festive colours, funny images and exaggerative composition coupled with a strong Chinese flavour; Xu hides his landscapes behind transparent curtains; while Peng portrays traditional costumes through his fine brushwork skills. Free. 10:30am-6:30pm, until Dec 28 at Art Seasons, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 6431-1900.

Capturing Christmas

The end of the year heralds a group exhibition at the Red T gallery, with works from well-known contemporary artists. Entitled Find Something for Christmas, the show aims to capture the season's festive spirit. Free. 10am-6pm, until Dec 29 at 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 8911-5762.

An abstract reality

Italian artist Oan Kyu's abstract installation works are all based on reality and even related to history. Made from various different materials, the works are put together from different objects: a square block of wood is covered with newspapers and is divided by PVC strips; the quality of the material is meant to symbolize the spirit of the subject matter. Entitled Ice and Fire, the exhibition aims to put the focus on some of the world's contradictions. Free. 10am-6pm, until Dec 29 at Officina, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 6436-1191.