National Day in Shanghai: A guide to all 16 districts
Shanghai has plenty on during the National Day holiday, from powerboat racing in Baoshan to qipao displays in Hongkou and concerts in Qingpu. Here are selected events across 16 districts, along with the details you need to plan your visit.
Pudong New Area
Pop Land carnival tour
Labubu's treasure-map adventure has arrived at the Oriental Pearl Tower. Visitors can try nine interactive games in a carnival area beside the tower or buy character-themed treats at a Pop Bakery pop-up.
When: Through Nov 1
Where: Oriental Pearl Tower (上海东方明珠城市广场)
Entry: Carnival games require a ticket.
Moon Over Jiangnan at Xinchang Ancient Town
Watch rolling-lantern performances along the main street, then head to the river for silk-and-bamboo music or Suzhou storytelling. The town also has a heritage market, shadow puppetry, Sichuan Opera face-changing, and a stamp-collecting activity.
When: Oct 1–5; performances are scheduled between 10 am and 7 pm
Where: Xinchang Ancient Town (新场古镇)
Huangpu district
Grand Yuyuan Music & Heritage Festival
Yuyuan Tourist Mart hosts "moon walk" parades, Chinese opera, and folk music. The Bund Finance Center has performances featuring French jazz, Brazilian folk-pop, Colombian electronic music, and Italian music, along with markets and workshops.
When: Through Nov 15
Where: Yuyuan Tourist Mart (豫园商城) and Bund Finance Center (BFC外滩金融中心)
Americas-themed food night market
Food from Central and South America is served outside the Shanghai Museum on People's Square. The market accompanies the museum's
On Top of the World Tree: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas
exhibition.
When: Oct 1–7, 6–10 pm
Where: South plaza of the Shanghai Museum on People's Square (上海博物馆人民广场馆南广场)
Jing'an district
Rolex Shanghai Masters activities in Jing'an
Tennis-themed pop-ups and activities are planned around Suhewan MixC World and the former Fuxin Flour Mill. The wider program also includes a themed bus, a Suzhou Creek cruise, and interactive activities.
When: Through Oct 18
Where: Suhewan MixC World (苏河湾万象天地), the former Fuxin Flour Mill (福新面粉厂), and other participating locations
Valorant player experience
Yongyuanbang's gaming space has 100 computers for visitors to play Valorant. Places must be reserved through the event mini program.
When: Through Oct 18
Where: Yongyuanbang (永源浜)
Entry: Free with a reservation
Xuhui district
Longhua Autumn Carnival
Longhua Hui partners with China Academy of Art to present the Nanshan Art Market, featuring ceramics, lacquerware, stationery, incense, and other handmade objects. Visitors can also see lantern and light displays throughout the shopping complex.
When: Through Oct 7
Where: Longhua Hui (龙华会)
Ancient Americas exhibition in the community
Selected content from the Shanghai Museum's
On Top of the World Tree: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas
exhibition is on display at four locations in Xuhui. It introduces the beliefs and material culture of ancient American civilizations.
When: Through Oct 24
Where: Jialanting (嘉澜庭), Yongkang Road (永康路), Xingshunli (兴顺里), and No 8 Hengshan Road (衡山路8号)
Changning district
Butterfly exhibition at Shanghai Zoo
See live butterfly species found in Shanghai, butterfly pupae, and displays about the insects' place in the city's ecosystem.
When: Through Oct 25
Where: Shanghai Zoo (上海动物园)
Entry: Included with zoo admission; no separate exhibition ticket is required.
Putuo district
TOP Central Park RV music carnival
This two-day outdoor carnival features live performances, an RV camping area, a market, and lawn activities.
When: Oct 5–6
Where: TOP Central Park (TOP中央公园)
Entry: Tickets are required.
Hongkou district
Qipao exhibition at The Inlet
The exhibition uses the 24 solar terms to explore seasonal colors and designs in Shanghai-style qipao. It is housed in a historic shikumen building.
When: Through Oct 7, 9:30–11:30 am and 1:30–4:30 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Where: Shanghai Haipai Cultural Center (今潮8弄海派文化中心)
Yangpu district
Red Land 2026
Fuxing Island becomes an open-world-style event space for games, animation, and pop culture. Explore three themed areas, meet characters, and watch the evening parade.
When: Oct 2–6
Where: Fuxing Island (复兴岛)
Entry: Tickets are required.
EDC China Circuit Dreams
Electronic music takes over Fuxing Island's northern public space. The lineup will include Illenium, W&W, Dimension, Sara Landry, TroyBoi, and Wax Motif, with performances spanning bass, drum and bass, hard techno, and house.
When: Oct 5
Where: Northern public space of Fuxing Island (复兴岛岛北公共空间)
Entry: Tickets are required.
Baoshan district
Aquabike and F1H2O championships
The 2026 F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Shanghai and the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship Grand Prix of Shanghai will run back-to-back in Baoshan district for the first time. The Aquabike event kicks off the double-header from Oct 2 to 3, followed by the F1H2O race from Oct 4 to 5.
When: Oct 2–5
Where: Inland waters of the Shanghai Long Beach area
Entry: Tickets are required.
Shanghai Long Beach Art Fair
Walk along the riverside for folk music, outdoor performances, art installations, murals, and a market.
When: Oct 2–6
Where: Riverside Park (滨江公园) section of Shanghai Long Beach
Minhang district
Rolex Shanghai Masters Carnival
Before qualifying starts on Oct 5, visitors to Qizhong Tennis Center can watch player training, visit a tennis-themed exhibition, shop for tournament merchandise, and try interactive activities.
When: Oct 1–4
Where: Qizhong Tennis Center
Entry: Tickets are required.
Jiading district
Nanxiang Guochao Convention
Nanxiang Ancient Town and Guyi Garden host performances, markets, and activities featuring local crafts. Visitors can also taste Nanxiang xiaolongbao, the town's famous steamed soup dumplings.
When: Sept 29–Oct 7
Where: Nanxiang Ancient Town (南翔古镇) and Guyi Garden (古猗园)
Entry: The main event is free; some activities and attractions cost extra.
Jinshan district
Fireworks and film by the sea
Jinshan City Beach has two evenings of film-themed performances and fireworks over the water.
When: Oct 3–4
Where: Jinshan City Beach (金山城市沙滩)
Entry: Tickets are required.
Songjiang district
Shanghai Qipao Fashion Season
Qipao shows and heritage activities are held at Shanghai Film Park. The program uses the Eight Immortals, figures from Chinese folklore, as a theme linking qipao shows and heritage activities.
When: Through Oct 25
Where: Shanghai Film Park (上海影视乐园)
Entry: Park admission required.
Shanghai Tourism Festival float display
All 21 Shanghai Tourism Festival floats are on display at Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park. The festival's closing activities are scheduled for Oct 6 at the park.
When: Through Oct 6; illuminated display from 6:30–8:30 pm
Where: Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park (广富林文化遗址)
Qingpu district
Waterside Melodies
The festival opens on Oct 6 with Tan Dun's Martial Arts Trilogy, a cinematic symphony concert led by composer Tan Dun and performed by the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra. The repertoire features iconic concerto pieces from three classic Chinese martial arts films — Hero, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and The Banquet. The second concert, on Oct 7, will feature conductor Jin Chengzhi and the Shanghai Rainbow Chamber Singers.
When: Oct 6–7
Where: Shangda Central Park (上达中央公园)
Entry: Tickets are required.
Fengxian district
Tourism Kite Festival
Head to the Bay Area to watch kite flying and join the festival's cultural activities.
When: Through Oct 3
Where: Fengxian Bay Tourism Area (海湾旅游区) and Fisherman's Wharf (渔人码头)
Chongming district
Chongming Forest Tourism Season
Activities vary across the island: camping and barbecues at Dongping National Forest Park, food and rural experiences in Yingdong village, and birdwatching and traditional fishing at Xisha Mingzhu Lake scenic area.
When: Through Nov 30
Where: Dongping National Forest Park (东平国家森林公园), Yingdong village (瀛东生态村), and Xisha Mingzhu Lake scenic area (西沙明珠湖景区)
Entry: Some activities require reservations or tickets.
Sources: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, official sources for the events listed above