Shanghai is hosting a wide array of engaging activities for everyone to enjoy as the Year of the Dragon approaches. Check out some of the highlights:

1. Lantern show in Yuyuan Garden

Open: Until Feb 29

Address: Yuyuan Garden, Huangpu district

This year's lantern show in Yuyuan Garden draws inspiration from Shan Hai Jing – the ancient Chinese text, also known as the Classic of Mountains and Seas – featuring five distinct lantern groups with diverse themes. 

An enchanting aerial view of the lantern show in Yuyuan Garden. [Photo provided by Yuyuan Garden]

2. Together We Say 'Fantastic'

Open: Until Feb 24

Address: Shanghai Disney Resort, Pudong New Area

This event offers a series of festive activities, lively entertainment performances, delectable food and charming New Year products – welcoming visitors from around the globe to celebrate the Spring Festival together.

A poster for the Together We Say 'Fantastic' event. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

3. New Year season at THE INLET

Open: Until March 17

Address: THE INLET, Hongkou district

The New Year activity season features not only fairs such as early Spring fairs and Lantern Festival food fairs, but also a variety of performances including the Shanghai Pops Orchestra, hanfu – traditional Chinese attire – as well as a group dance, fish lantern parade and art workshops.

A bright and breezy poster for the festive season. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

4. Daffodils Show 2024

Open: Until Feb 4

Address: Gongqing Forest Park, Yangpu district

This flower show encompasses four exhibition areas – the New Year celebration, daffodil carving, various daffodil species and knowledge about daffodils. Additionally, other flowers such as tulips, hyacinths, corydalis and plum flowers which bloom around the Spring Festival are also on display.

A pot of daffodil at the Gongqing Forest Park in Shanghai's Yangpu district. [Photo/WeChat account: GongQingforestpark]

5. New Year season at Shanghai Happy Valley

Open: Feb 10 onwards

Address: No 888 Linhu Road, Songjiang district

Embrace the Chinese New Year spirit at Shanghai Happy Valley, which will feature a weeklong fireworks show starting Feb 10 with captivating folk performances and lantern shows.

A parade at Shanghai Happy Valley. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaihappyvalley]

6. Flower show at Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden

Open: Feb 8 - Feb 26

Address: No 3888, Chenhua Road, Songjiang district

Delight in the beauty of peonies and alpine azaleas at the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, highlighting different horticultural techniques.

Flowers bloom in the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden. [Photo/WeChat account: csnbgsh]

7. 2024 Zhuangyuan Market in Fengjing ancient town

Open: Zhuangyuan Market, Feb 10 - Feb 15

Address: Fengjing ancient town, Jinshan district

Immerse yourself in the 2024 Fengjing Zhuangyuan Market, a cultural affair featuring traditional costumes, lantern riddles, and historical site visits in the Fengjing ancient town. 

The word zhuangyuan refers to candidates who finished in the top place over the years in annual national-level recruitment exams for officials in ancient China.

A view of the Fengjing ancient town in Shanghai's Jinshan district. [Photo/m.jfdaily.com]

8. Cultural activities at Zuibaichi Park

Open: 6 am - 5 pm; exhibition hall opening time: 8 am - 5 pm

Address: No 64 South Renmin Road, Songjiang district

Activities include:

- The Youth Photography Exhibition of Universities in the Yangtze River Delta region from Jan 20 to Feb 25.

- Zuibaichi Horticultural Culture Lecture

On Jan 27, Feb 14, Feb 15 and Feb 17 at 1: 30 pm, Zuibaichi Park will invite experts, scholars, and people to conduct lectures on Jiangnan culture.

- Visit Zuibaichi Park for the Lantern Festival 

On Feb 24 in the afternoon, Zuibaichi Park will organize traditional folk activities.

Calligraphers gather in Zuibaichi Park. [Photo/WeChat account: sh_songjiang]

9. Visit Fangta Garden

Open: February 2024

Address: No 235 East Zhongshan Road, Songjiang district

Fangta Garden offers traditional Chinese cultural activities, wax plum blossoms, and lantern riddle guessing for the Year of the Dragon.

A view of the wax plum blossoms in Fangta Garden. [Photo/WeChat account: sh_songjiang]

10. Light Show on the Capitol Theatre Building

Open: Feb 1 to 17

Address: Capitol Theatre Building, Huangpu district

The Capitol Theatre Building in Shanghai's Huangpu district is currently showcasing a dazzling light show to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year. The display features dynamic and vibrant visuals, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of light and color next to Suzhou Creek after dark.

A light show themed for the Year of the Dragon is staged on the facade of Shanghai's Capitol Theatre Building in Huangpu district. [Photo/WeChat account: shhuangpu]

 

Sources: "shanghaitourism" WeChat account, "GongQingforestpark" WeChat account, "shanghaihappyvalley"WeChat account, "csnbgsh" WeChat account, m.jfdaily.com, "sh_songjiang" WeChat account, "shhuangpu" WeChat account