Upon the opening of Expo 2010 Shanghai China, cultural and artistic performances to be conducted in the Expo Site can be classified into two groups, six categories, and eighteen sub-categories. Such performances will perform three major functions: theme interpretation, atmosphere cultivation and crowd decentralization.

In accordance with various organizing parties, the performances will fall into two groups: events sponsored by the organizer, and those sponsored by participants.

Events sponsored by the organizer fall into four categories: ceremonies, parades, stage events and thematic events, which cover eleven sub-categories including the official Opening Ceremony, the opening ceremony of the Expo Site, China Pavilion Day, the daily opening and closing of the Expo Site, the Closing Ceremony, parades with special costumes, original programs and activities, folklore, folk arts and folk customs, festive events, Young Expo events, and community activities.