As Spring Festival draws near, Shanghai is ready to welcome visitors with a vibrant array of cultural and tourism activities. From historic towns and scenic parks to creative museums and themed fairs, districts across the city have prepared festival experiences that invite people from around the world to share in the joy of the season and usher in the Year of the Horse together. Below are some seasonal highlights waiting to be discovered beyond the city center.

Baoshan district

1. 2026 Luodian spring lantern fair

Featuring nearly 20 sets of traditional lantern displays, this festival also offers hands-on heritage workshops, live performances, and family-friendly competitions. It blends centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary creativity, offering a poetic yet lively celebration.

When: Feb 10 to March 3

Where: Luodian Ancient Town, around Lake Malaren commercial zone

2. Kite-flying performance

To mark the Year of the Horse, kite-flying artists will demonstrate their skills along the Baoshan riverside. Small kites will also be given away, adding to the cheerful holiday atmosphere.

When: Feb 20 & 21, 1 pm – 3:30 pm

Where: Waterfront promenade near the Shanghai Sea World shopping area

3. 'Horses Hunt' at Shanghai Museum of Glass

Find nine horse-inspired artworks hidden in the museum and receive colorful glass beads as a reward. Guests are also invited to write down their wishes for the new year, which will be preserved in light, adding a touch of magic to the experience.

When: Throughout February

Where: Shanghai Museum of Glass

Jiading district

1. Nanxiang Ancient Town festive events

A series of events will fill the historic water town, including cultural performances, a New Year market, themed lantern displays, a ceramic art exhibition, and interactive workshops. During the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival holiday, artificial snow will fall five times daily, creating a magical wintry scene.

When: Feb 10 to March 3

Where: Nanxiang Ancient Town

2. Zhouqiao Old Street Spring Festival celebrations

This historic area is celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year with traditional rituals, ceremonies, and a vibrant fish-lantern parade. Visitors can enjoy designated photo spots and interactive zones, as well as a captivating photography exhibition that showcases the vitality of horses through the lens of renowned photographer Chen Di.

When: Until March 3

Where: Zhouqiao Scenic Area

3. Guyi Garden Spring Festival program

Heritage lanterns, folk performances, and hands-on workshops will bring this classical garden to life. The annual plum-blossom exhibition will also return, symbolizing good fortune for the coming year.

When: Feb 14 to March 8 (tentative)

Where: Guyi Garden

Fengxian district

1. Haiwan National Forest Park zodiac-themed garden festival

Designed around the Year of the Horse, this extended celebration runs through March 31, spanning Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, and the early-spring outing season to accommodate different travel plans.

When: Feb 17 to March 31

Where: Haiwan National Forest Park

2. Cultural events at Fengxian Museum

The Fengxian Museum will host horse-themed cultural events, traditional crafts, an international paper-art exhibition, and interactive activities such as poetry games, woodblock printing, and paper-tearing workshops.

When: Feb 15 to March 3

Where: Fengxian Museum

Songjiang district

1. Sparkling Festival at Shanghai Happy Valley

This winter event presents a national animation carnival with photo-ready sets, a snowy town square, meet-and-greets, cosplay parades, and decorated vehicle processions, offering immersive encounters with popular characters.

When: Until Feb 16

Where: Shanghai Happy Valley

2. Shanghai Film Park Spring Festival fair

A lantern-filled landscape, lion dances, a mythical creature-themed parade, New Year snacks from eight regional cuisines, a wishing tree, and artificial snow come together to recreate the atmosphere of a "winter in old Shanghai".

When: Feb 15-23

Where: Shanghai Film Park

Jinshan district

1. Fengjing Ancient Town Spring Festival celebration

Centered on "seeking fortune in an ancient water town", the event blends local heritage with horse-themed elements through a God of Wealth parade, traditional performances, festive markets, and a stamp-collecting hunt.

When: Feb 17-23

Where: Fengjing Ancient Town

2. Legoland Shanghai Resort Spring Festival celebration

Legoland Shanghai Resort's inaugural Chinese New Year celebration features festive decorations, themed shows, horse-themed interactive activities, and collaborative builds. Guests can create a translucent "ice-sculpture" horse or join a puzzle hunt across themed zones to earn surprises.

When: Until March 3

Where: Legoland Shanghai Resort

3. Plum blossom festival at Shanghai Blooming Garden

Combining folk traditions, interactive experiences, photo opportunities, and heritage displays, this festival offers both seasonal festivity and plum blossom appreciation. Visitors can write Chinese fortune characters, play games to win souvenirs, or even adopt a plum tree.

When: Feb 17 to March 15

Where: Shanghai Blooming Garden

Qingpu district

1. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town cultural activities

Six themed sections create an immersive experience that is "playable, viewable, shoppable, tastable, active, and memorable". Activities include heritage workshops, folk customs, and horse-themed performances.

When: Feb 21

Where: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

2. Panlong Xintiandi lantern fair

The lantern festival collaborates with Foshan’s national-level lantern base in Guangdong to illuminate the night with animal-themed displays. A horse-themed temple fair, waterborne lantern parades, and lion dances further enrich the festive atmosphere.

When: Until March 3

Where: Panlong Xintiandi commercial complex

Chongming district

1. Jiangnan Sanmin Cultural Village heritage folk activities

Try traditional crafts such as making horse-themed cloth stickers, "money-on-horse" pendants, and fortune-horse prints, alongside dragon dances and Chongming rice-cake making.

When: Feb 12-26

Where: Jiangnan Sanmin Cultural Village

2. Xisha Mingzhu Lake stamp-hunt garden fair

Join a stamp-collecting game for gifts, watch dragon-and-lion dances, follow a God of Wealth parade, take part in heritage DIY workshops, or search for hidden "fortune dumplings".

When: Feb 17-21

Where: Xisha Mingzhu Lake Scenic Area

 

Sources: WeChat account of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism at "shanghaitourism", venues mentioned above