Shanghai is set to become a citywide playground for coffee lovers as the 6th Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival opens on April 30.

This year's festival will feature nearly 50 key events, more than 6,000 participating local merchants, around 200 global coffee brands, and over 40 high-profile international competitions.

Waterfront coffee fair at the North Bund

From April 30 to May 4, the festival's main venue will stretch along a 2.3-kilometer section of the North Bund waterfront, transforming the area into an open-air market. Nearly 300 vendor booths will line the riverside, joined by more than 20 international coffee shops, making it one of the city's largest waterfront coffee events.

The main venue will offer an integrated "water, land, and air" experience. A cruise ship will host a floating stage for live music and light shows, while a festival-themed blimp will fly low along the river. Visitors will be able to take photos with a white horse set against the skyline, symbolizing success and good fortune.

The site will be divided into four themed zones: an international area, an industry chain section, a crossover integration zone, and an interactive experience space. These zones will showcase intangible cultural heritage crafts, revitalized time-honored brands, films, music, gaming, and riverside leisure activities such as fishing.

Innovative flavors and regional specialties

The festival will feature a mix of tradition and innovation. The time-honored brand Longhu will introduce a bold experimental coffee inspired by traditional medicated oil, alongside limited-edition merchandise in collaboration with Shanghai Shenhua Football Club. Another highlight will be a soy milk-based coffee inspired by traditional tofu-making techniques, combining classic bean aromas with specialty coffee.

Dedicated zones for Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, and Shigatse city in the Xizang autonomous region will showcase regional craftsmanship, bringing together high-quality coffee beans, local specialties, and intangible cultural heritage techniques from across China.

Crossover events and art installations

Beyond the main venue, a citywide "giant installations" project will place 10 large-scale coffee-themed artworks at major landmarks, refreshing public spaces, and encouraging visitors to explore the city.

On the cultural front, nearly 100 cinemas will roll out ticket discounts and themed promotions, while more than 90 bookstores will host poster exhibitions, curated coffee-themed book lists, and skills competitions.

The festival will partner with Gaode Map (Amap) to launch a dedicated digital guide, helping visitors navigate coffee shops, event locations, and key cultural landmarks. Offline social activities will be hosted by the riverside for enthusiasts of the mobile game Honor of Kings. The festival will also team up with major events, including the Shanghai International Illustration Art Expo 2026, the ShenWave Music Festival, and the Shanghai Jinshan City Beach International Music Fireworks Show.

District-level highlights across the city

The festival will extend to districts across the city, connecting coffee with culture, tourism, lifestyle, and local consumption.

Pudong New Area will host the Lujiazui Coffee Festival, linking coffee with intangible cultural heritage. Huangpu will incorporate coffee experiences into literary events, including the Sinan Book Club and second-hand book fairs. Xuhui will feature crossover events that connect coffee with the beauty and cosmetics industry.

Other districts will also offer a range of activities, such as cultural and tourism markets, art exhibitions, and themed carnivals.

Hospitality and year-round events

A public initiative titled "First Cup of Coffee Upon Arriving in Shanghai" will set up service points at Pudong and Hongqiao airports, offering free coffee to arriving travelers from May 1 to 5.

The festival will continue beyond the May Day holiday, with around 10 coffee tastings planned throughout the year, including educational workshops, premium tastings, and brewing classes open to the public.

Sources: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival, and Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District)