The Third Village Bloom Hydrangea Festival is set to take place from May 1 to June 21 in Dongshe village, Qingpu district. The event blends nature, art, local culture, and everyday village life, offering a mix of flower fields, countryside stays, creative experiences, and seasonal flavors.

Flower displays and art installations

Visitors can wander through rolling blue hydrangeas arranged across seven scenic zones. Sculptures from an exhibition co-presented by Mix Journey and Purple Roof Public Art stand quietly among the blooms, bringing contemporary art into the countryside. Ten landscape nodes, created in collaboration with the GM5 architects’ collective, will also be scattered throughout the village.

A special film and photo exhibition showcases nature-inspired imagery and movie posters, displayed throughout the flower fields.

Live music and traditional performances

A starlight concert kicks off the festival on the evening of April 30. On May 30, an internationally renowned band from Inner Mongolia autonomous region will bring grassland music to the village, with the sound of the morin khuur blending into the gentle Jiangnan landscape.

Throughout the festival, visitors can also enjoy Shanghai Opera, storytelling ballads from the Wu dialect region, folk songs, and shadow puppetry.

Seasonal tastings and flower-inspired treats

Local specialties come to life in dishes made with Liantang water bamboo shoots, fresh lotus root, and other rural ingredients. A flower drink carnival features floral beverages and rice paddy lattes. A food shop inside the Art-M Cultural and Creative Industry Park will also offer hydrangea-themed treats.

Glamping and outdoor activities

Nordisk Campsite, which opened its first Shanghai location in Dongshe village, will host flower-field camping with afternoon tea, barbecue, and stargazing. A grassland nomadic zone will be launched in late May, featuring sunset barbecues, open-air movies, and live music, blending Jiangnan charm with the spirit of the steppe.

Markets and local crafts

Popular hydrangea-shaped ice cream, floral snacks, farm produce, and intangible cultural heritage crafts will be featured at market stalls across the village. The grassland nomadic zone will offer handmade goods, specialty regional products, and light bites. Meanwhile, Art-M Creative Park will present limited-edition foods, craft workshops, family-friendly activities, and countryside stays.

Sources: WeChat account of the information office of the Qingpu district people's government at "iloveqingpu", Mix Journey