February: Celebrating Year of the Snake
February in Shanghai is a month brimming with festive spirit and celebration. As the city comes alive with the vibrant lights of the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival and the enchanting sounds of live music from concerts, the festive mood is palpable. With the Chinese New Year festivities adding an extra layer of charm, Shanghai offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
Chinese New Year Special
1. Shanghai Romance Park Chinese New Year carnival
Immerse yourself in the vibrant festivities at Shanghai Romance Park, where you can experience a cultural extravaganza filled with intangible heritage activities and a family-friendly carnival celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Date: Jan 29 to Feb 4
Location: Shanghai Romance Park, 1750 Expo Avenue, Pudong New Area
→Shanghai Romance Park hosts Chinese New Year carnival
2. Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival
Explore the enchanting Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival, featuring stunning lantern installations inspired by the Year of the Snake. Marvel at the intricate displays showcasing forest insects, butterflies, mythical creatures, and more in a celebration of nature and tradition.

Date: Jan 1 to Feb 12
Location: Yuyuan Garden, 168 Fuyou Road, Huangpu district
3. Bund Financial Center Chinese New Year market
Check out the 37-day Chinese New Year celebration at the Bund Financial Center, where a unique Chinese-style market awaits. Experience a modern twist on traditional festivities with trendy IPs, cultural products, and intangible heritage displays.
Date: Until Feb 16
Location: Bund Financial Center, 600 East Zhongshan Road Number Two, Huangpu district
→ New Year markets in Shanghai
4. Rockbund Chinese New Year market
Head to the Rockbund Chinese New Year Market for a fusion of traditional and contemporary attractions. Explore towering installations, indulge in Chinese delicacies, admire elegant tea sets, and browse through ancient books for a memorable celebration.
Date: Until Feb 16
Location: Yuanmingyuan Road Pedestrian Street
→ New Year markets in Shanghai
5. Shanghai Disney Resort festive celebrations
Join the magical festivities at Shanghai Disney Resort, where the Year of the Snake is celebrated with a variety of special decor and exciting activities. Make unforgettable memories at this enchanting destination during the Chinese New Year period.

Date: Not specified
Location: Shanghai Disney Resort, 310 Huangzhao Road, Pudong New Area
→ Shanghai Disney Resort ushers in the Year of the Snake with festive celebrations
Art Exhibitions
1.Bvlgari exhibition: Serpenti Infinito
Explore a free-to-enter exhibition focusing on the snake, bridging East and West, tradition and innovation.

Date: Until Feb 16
Location: Zhang Yuan, 188 Alley North Maoming Road, Jing’an district
→ Snake-themed exhibition opens for free at Zhangyuan
2. Island: Wang Yi Solo Exhibition
Witness 12 oil paintings by Shanghai-based artist Wang Yi, winner of the John Moores Prize.

Date: Until Feb 18
Location: Jiushi Art Museum, 27 East Zhongshan Road Number One, Huangpu district
3. Mysterious Xixia Imperial Tombs Immersive Experience
Embark on a virtual tour of the Xixia Royal Tombs, with new history content creator "Miao Miao" as your guide.

Date: Until Feb 28
Location: Shanghai History Museum, 325 West Nanjing Road, Huangpu district
4. Slithering into Spring: A Celebration of the Year of the Snake
Delve into an exhibition featuring snake imagery and symbolism, celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Date: Until March 2
Location: Shanghai Museum on People's Square, 201 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
→ Shanghai Museum holds snake-themed exhibition to celebrate Chinese New Year
5. Stories in Light and Shadow: Tangshan Shadow Puppetry Art Exhibition
Explore the traditional plays, figures, and techniques of Tangshan shadow puppetry in this enlightening exhibition, which features approximately 180 select items, mostly originating from the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and showcasing distinct local characteristics.

Date: March 2
Location: Jiading Museum, 215 Bole Road, Jiading district
→ Explore art and history in district museums
6. Fan Fair: Wuhan Museum Fan Paintings Exhibition
Appreciate the artistry of Chinese fan paintings, with nature and calligraphy showcased on elegant fans.

Date: Until March 2
Location: Pudong History Museum, 18 Wenshi Street, Huinan town, Pudong New Area
→ Explore art and history in district museums
7. Exhibition in Commemoration of the 180th Anniversary of the Birth of Wu Changshuo
Honor the legacy of Wu Changshuo (1844-1927), an influential 20th-century Chinese artist and key figure of the Shanghai School of Art, at this special exhibition. Wu was a painter, calligrapher, and seal carver.

Date: Until March 31
Location: China Art Museum, 205 Shangnan Road, Pudong New Area
→ Exhibition honors one of China's key 20th-century talents
8. Masterpieces of the Pola Museum of Art: From Impressionism to Contemporary Art
Experience a rare showcase of Western art from the renowned Pola Museum of Art in Japan, which is home to an exclusive private collection of Western art distinguished by both its quality and quantity.

Date: Until April 21
Location: Shanghai Museum East, 1952 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area
→ Museum's collection is quite 'Impressionist'
9. Mirror of Zhenguan: Tang Dynasty Historical and Cultural Exhibition
Dive into the splendor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) with over 130 artifacts showcasing the era's prosperity, such as gilded silver pots, the tomb epitaph cover of General Yuchi Jingde (585-658), painted pottery figurines, and wall paintings.

Date: Until May 5
Location: Minhang Museum, 1538 Xinzhen Road, Minhang district
→ Explore art and history in district museums
10. Hsia Yan Art Exhibition: The Enduring Rhythm of Vitality
Explore 130 contemporary artworks donated by Hsia Yan at this exhibition highlighting China's late 20th-century art scene.

Date: Until May 5
Location: Power Station of Art, 678 Miaojiang Road, Huangpu district
11. Xinjiang Niya Ruins Immersive Exhibition: Seven Days of the Cad'ota
Immerse yourself in a digital show revealing the ancient Jingjue Kingdom using cutting-edge technologies. The Jingjue Kingdom, a major oasis city located along the ancient Silk Road in today's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, disappeared hundreds of years ago.

Date: Until July 25
Location: Alight Room Lafayette Culture Space, 323 Alley Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu district
→ Digital exhibition to shine spotlight on Xinjiang's Niya ruins site
Musicals
1. Carmen by Granada Flamenco Ballet
Experience the iconic story of Carmen presented by the Spanish dance group Granada Flamenco Ballet.

Date: Jan 30 to 31
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
2. The Phantom of the Opera by Granada Flamenco Ballet
Witness a unique interpretation of The Phantom of the Opera by the Granada Flamenco Ballet, featuring a blend of magic, rhythm, and emotion.

Date: Feb 1
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
3. The Reunion 2.0: Musical Star Concert
Enjoy an upgraded version of The Reunion musical concert featuring an extended song list and enhanced stage design. The Reunion premiered in Shanghai and Beijing at the beginning of last year, with all 11 performances sold out.

Date: Feb 6 to 9
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
4. 2025 Musical Stars Live Concert: Mark Seibert
Delight in live performances by musical star Mark Seibert, known for his roles in Rebecca
and Elisabeth.

Date: Feb 8 to 9
Location: Shanghai Culture Square, 597 Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu district
5. Rejoice and Reunion
Celebrate the Lantern Festival with a fusion of traditional and modern Shanghai-school folk music presented by Young Theatre and the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.

Date: Feb 12
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
6. Riana Anthony Cello and Jonathan Fournel Piano
Experience a performance by cellist Riana Anthony and pianist Jonathan Fournel, in which they showcase their technical prowess and expressiveness.

Date: Feb 14
Location: Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall, 1380 Middle Fuxing Road, Xuhui district
7. Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Shanghai ballet
Witness the Shanghai Ballet's interpretation of the classic tale of The Phantom of the Opera
set in the enchanting Paris Opera House.

Date: Feb 14 to 15
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
8. Swan Lake by Shanghai ballet
Experience a classic rendition of Swan Lake choreographed by Derek Deane with a cast of 48 ballet dancers, making a powerful impact on China's ballet scene. Deane, former Artistic Director of the English National Ballet, rendered the classic version on the 120th anniversary of Swan Lake in 2015 at the invitation of the Shanghai Ballet.

Date: Feb 18 to 19
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
9. Dance Lady White Snake
This dance drama has adopted some of the plots featured in the classical work. However, more importantly, it has reinterpreted and reconstructed the story to reflect the modern world. The White Snake, Xu Xian and Fahai represent wife, husband, and psychologist, respectively. The Green Snake is a symbol of women’s nature to pursue independence.

Date: Feb 28 to March 2
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district
Sports Events

Sources: Official WeChat account of Yuyuan Mall, Pudong Times, Shanghai Museum, Minhang Museum, Jiading Museum, Pudong History Museum, Travel Times, China Art Museum, Shanghai History Museum, Power Station of Art, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Culture Square, Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall