In 2023, Weifang was included as a parallel session of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival for the first time. The event brought together outstanding performances from both domestic and international artists, while expanding cultural and tourism projects that combined an international perspective with distinctive local features. While major performances from the main festival venue—such as Angela Gheorghiu's solo concert, Plácido Domingo's solo concert, and Zubin Mehta's concert with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra—were staged in Weifang, the parallel session also integrated with the 8th Weifang Citizen Culture Festival to organize outdoor "Art Sky" series performances and various social and cultural exhibitions.