The 2026 Shanghai Tourism Festival classic season runs from Sept 1 to Oct 6, featuring 170 events across six themes: city classics, gourmet journey, Shanghai after dark, leisure trails, treasure markets, and arts & culture.

This guide spotlights the "city classics" theme, highlighting events that reflect the festival's cultural heritage and traditions, including the grand float parade and discounts at selected tourist attractions across the city.

Opening ceremony of the float parade

The float parade is a classic event of the Shanghai Tourism Festival. The opening ceremony features 21 domestic and international performance troupes and 21 floats in a grand street parade, celebrating the festival as a shared moment of joy for the public and a stage for cultural exchange between China and the world.

When: Sept 12

Where: Bund Bull Square on East Zhongshan Road Number One, Huangpu district

2026 Shanghai Tourism Festival float parade tour

The festival floats showcase the tourism resources and cultural traditions of participating regions. A total of 21 floats will parade through designated areas or remain on display with lighting.

When: Sept 13 to Oct 6

Where: Jing'an, Chongming, Hongkou, Jiading, Qingpu, Xuhui, Minhang, Putuo, and Songjiang districts, and the Lin-gang Special Area

Discounts at tourist attractions

Selected tourist attractions, theme parks, and cultural venues across Shanghai will offer discounted admission during the festival.

When: Sept 12 to 27

Where: Various attractions and cultural venues across Shanghai

2026 Jing'an Tea Culture Tourism Week

The event incorporates tea culture into a light and shadow art display for the first time. The event blends traditional heritage, modern tea beverages, creative products, performances, and advanced technology to create a culturally rich and stylish experience.

When: Sept 11 to 13

Where: Suhewan MixC World, Jing'an district

Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Xuhui

Themed around the moon, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Xuhui offers a route through classical gardens, modern waterfronts, tree-lined streets, and trendy shopping areas. Activities include traditional performances, riverside leisure activities, family-friendly events, and shopping experiences.

When: Sept 25 to 27

Where: Xuhui district

Shanghai University Student Tourism Festival

This event combines a main stage showcase with a themed market, bringing together 12 universities for performances including singing, traditional Chinese folk programs, and pop dance, along with interactive market activities.

When: Sept 26 to 27

Where: Yangshupu Power Plant Relics Park and Shanghai Fashion Center in Yangpu district

Butterfly Exhibition at Shanghai Zoo

The exhibition features local butterfly species, displaying live butterflies and chrysalises, to highlight the rich biodiversity of Shanghai. It also features interactive educational activities to explore the relationship between butterflies and humans.

When: Sept 25 to Oct 25

Where: Shanghai Zoo, Changning district

6th Half Marathon Suzhou Creek Cultural Tourism Festival

This year's festival opens with the major exhibition titled From Yuan Dynasty Water Gates to Waibaidu Bridge: The History and Culture of Suzhou Creek. A series of events centered around Suzhou Creek will continue through October, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the city's historical roots.

When: July to October

Where: Putuo district

2026 Shanghai Confucius Cultural Festival

Grounded in Jiading's rich cultural heritage as the "cradle of education", the event features a themed route connecting three historic sites — Huilongtan Park, Jiading Confucius Temple, and Zhouqiao scenic area. A series of side events, including a shopping season, merchant activities, and specialty markets, will also be held during the festival.

When: Sept 24 to Oct 23

Where: Jiading Confucius Temple, Jiading district

Traditional wedding ceremony at Fengjing town

Twenty couples dressed in traditional wedding attire will follow ancient rituals to exchange vows in a grand ceremony, offering an opportunity to witness this living heritage of Jiangnan water towns up close.

When: Sept 26 to 27

Where: Fengjing Ancient Town, Jinshan district

Fishing culture festival at Jinshanzui

Visitors can explore the rich fishing heritage of the Jinshanzui coastal area through a series of engaging events that showcase local traditions, crafts, and daily life by the sea.

When: Sept 28 to Oct 6

Where: Haizhihui, Jinshanzui Fishing Village, Jinshan district

Shanghai Qipao Culture and Art Festival

This festival combines haipai (Shanghai style) culture, intangible heritage craftsmanship, and contemporary fashion through immersive scenes, performances, and lighting displays, celebrating the timeless elegance of qipao.

When: Oct 1 to 7

Where: Shanghai Film Park, Songjiang district

2026 Qingpu Cultural Tourism Festival

The festival offers around 100 activities across the district, blending agriculture, culture, tourism, sports, and commerce. The opening ceremony will take place at the Bailian Outlets Plaza.

When: Sept 28 to Oct 28

Where: Qingpu district

Rural cultural tourism season at Qingcun town

This event leverages Qingcun town's abundance of homestays and cafes to host a variety of unique activities, including artistic performances and cultural markets, promoting the area's rural tourism and commerce.

When: Sept 19 to Oct 18

Where: Qingcun town, Fengxian district

The 29th Tourism Kite Festival

The festival combines kite flying with cultural events, creating a dynamic autumn celebration that showcases traditional leisure sports.

When: Sept 20 to Oct 8

Where: Fengxian Bay Tourism Area and Fisherman's Wharf in Fengxian district

2026 Chongming Rural Cultural Tourism Festival

The festival opens with a float parade and features a cycling carnival, museum night tours, and activities across 18 towns, highlighting Chongming's countryside, ecology, and culture.

When: Sept 15 to Oct 15

Where: Chongming district

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism