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

This guide highlights the "leisure trails" theme, covering urban walking routes, countryside hikes, waterfront activities, and park visits for the autumn season.

Themed walking routes

Several themed walking routes launched during the Shanghai Tourism Festival link shopping areas, parks, and waterfront spaces. Visitors can join through the Shanghai Tourism Festival mini program on WeChat and Alipay, which offers online guides highlighting popular landmarks and cultural sites along the way.

When: Through the end of October

Where: Across the city

Brick or Treat Monster Party

This autumn, the playful Lego brick monsters return to Legoland Shanghai. The park transforms into a vibrant playground with themed decorations, shows, interactive activities, and enhanced retail and dining experiences. Families can enjoy an immersive treasure-hunt adventure throughout the park.

When: Sept 25 to Nov 1

Where: Legoland Shanghai Resort, Jinshan district

Wildlife meet-and-greet

Visitors can take an electric shuttle to the drive-through area for a closer look at rare animals, including lemurs and orangutans. Park favorites such as the kangaroo Gangzi, spider monkey Doudou, and chimpanzee Dingding also make appearances. Displays that show animals foraging and exploring, along with themed talks, offer a new perspective on the animal world. The program also includes a birthday celebration for the giant pandas.

When: Through Nov 30

Where: Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Pudong New Area

Changning heritage walks

Two themed walking routes take visitors through Changning's historic streets. The first follows Wuyi Road, with stops at the Enlihe Art Museum and WYSH Feiyueli, plus a handmade leather goods shop, an inkstone carving studio, a traditional scallion pancake shop, and a Chinese tea experience.

The second follows Xinhua Road, taking in Columbia Circle, the former navy club, Sun Ke Villa, Xingfuli, and the Shanghai Film Art Center, along with an intangible cultural heritage incense experience.

Route details are available on the WeChat account of Changning district administration of culture and tourism.

When: Through October

Where: Changning district

Premier Hongqiao Carnival

This year's carnival features one grand performance, 10 signature events, and 118 cultural and tourism activities in Changning district. The main performance takes place at Shanghai Zoo on Sept 25. Other activities include a garden party, cultural markets, a lawn music festival, and the Changning session of the third Shanghai International Light Festival.

When: Through October

Where: Changning district

Suzhou Creek themed cruises

Autumn dinner cruises depart from Changhua Road and Sihang Warehouse piers, with one sailing each evening. A live music cruise also departs from Waitanyuan pier on weekends, with singers performing on board and taking song requests.

When: Through October

Where: Suzhou Creek

Weekends at the North Bund

A waterfront bar area at the North Bund International Passenger Center opens from Friday through Sunday, with games, live music, and other activities.

When: Through Nov 1

Where: North Bund waterfront

Urban Beach Carnival

The carnival turns a real-sand beach into a tennis-themed leisure space, with DJ sets, live bands, and casual sports aimed at younger visitors.

When: Oct 1 to 14

Where: North Bund waterfront

Red Land 2026

The event will showcase more than 100 well-known game, animation, and pop culture franchises, double last year's total. A parade will take place every evening, featuring game characters, cosplayers, and themed floats.

When: Oct 2 to 6

Where: Fuxing Island, Yangpu district

Urban Forest Carnival

This forest carnival blends nature and urban entertainment, offering visitors a unique outdoor experience. Three distinct stages showcase a variety of performances, from traditional Chinese-style acts to electronic music and upbeat shows. The beer-drinking competition returns, along with parades and live bands, creating a festive atmosphere for all.

When: Oct 1 to 7

Where: Shanghai Gongqing National Forest Park, Yangpu district

Autumn fair at Gucun Park

Osmanthus, pink muhly grass, roses, and shifting autumn foliage and fruit create a seasonal scene across the park. A series of themed activities runs through the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays.

When: Sept 25 to Oct 25

Where: Gucun Park, Baoshan district

Wisdom Bay science and art season

Centered on the intersection of science and art, the season features markets celebrating intangible cultural heritage, Shanghai-style tea gatherings, outdoor music events, night markets, and 3D learning experiences for families. The program connects indoor exhibition halls, outdoor streets, and the waterfront, offering activities for all ages.

When: Through Oct 15

Where: Wisdom Bay ICC, Baoshan district

Straw Culture Festival

Set in Jiabei Country Park, the festival centers on a land art exhibition of straw sculptures, along with straw bear photo spots, a camping market, and farm experiences for families.

When: Through Oct 31

Where: Jiabei Country Park, Jiading district

Farm life experience at Lyuxiang Fruit Park

The event centers on agricultural activities, showcasing traditional tools and offering hands-on experiences such as catching chickens and fish and harvesting rice. Visitors can follow the process from farm to table, with the day's catch prepared as clay-oven chicken soup and kiln-roasted fish.

When: Oct 1 to 7

Where: Lyuxiang Fruit Park, Jinshan district

Galsang flower cultural and tourism festival

Shanghai Blooming Garden is filled with colorful Galsang flowers from late September to early October. The festival combines flower viewing, performances, family study tours, markets, and intangible cultural heritage experiences, offering both natural scenery and cultural activities.

When: Through early October

Where: Shanghai Blooming Garden, Jinshan district

Natural Life Festival

Centered on autumn flowers and fruit, the festival offers music performances, wellness activities, cultural markets, and science-themed garden tours.

When: Oct 1 to 7

Where: Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Songjiang district

Sheshan Forest Tourism Season

Focusing on nature and ecology, the season features a range of forest-themed activities that encourage visitors to immerse themselves in the sounds and scenery of the woods.

When: Through November

Where: Sheshan National Forest Park, Songjiang district

Qingpu hiking program

Two themed hiking routes traverse the forests of western Qingpu and the countryside around the Bailian Outlets, with options for experienced and casual walkers. The program features a launch event, a themed hiking season, and check-in challenges. Participants can also receive discounts at Bailian Outlet stores and businesses along the routes.

When: Sept 28 to Oct 28

Where: Qingpu district

Changxing Island autumn carnival

The carnival marks the 10th anniversary of Changxing Island Country Park with orange-themed installations, casual sports, and night markets, along with a special island route through the autumn scenery.

When: Oct 1 to 7

Where: Changxing Island Country Park, Chongming district

Flower Island autumn culture week

The program includes flower viewing, fruit picking, and countryside activities, as well as parades, equestrian shows, and Chinese-style performances.

When: Sept 30 to Oct 6

Where: Flower Island scenic area, Qianwei village, Shuxin town, Chongming district

Yingdong countryside life season

This event combines natural beauty, local traditions, and culinary delights. Highlights include water sports on Donghu Lake, handicraft workshops featuring intangible cultural heritage textiles, crab and fish catching, handmade Chongming snacks, and tea by the stove.

When: Through Oct 6

Where: Yingdong Resort, Chongming district

Second anniversary celebration at Shanghai L+SNOW

The resort's second-anniversary event partners with Genshin Impact and Douyin to offer three celebration programs and six immersive experiences, featuring snow-themed performances and winter scenes.

When: Through Nov 8

Where: Shanghai L+Snow Indoor Skiing Theme Resort, Pudong New Area

Haichang immersive performance festival

Haichang Ocean Park features more than 100 Chinese-style shows throughout the day, with nearly 300 costumed performers engaging visitors in improvised storylines. More than 50 interactive spots and over 100 games are spread throughout the park, offering an immersive experience.

When: Through Oct 6

Where: Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, Pudong New Area

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism