Shanghai Tonight, the city's signature nighttime consumption campaign, is warming up with a series of activities that combine intangible cultural heritage, craft beer, food, and outdoor social experiences.

The 2026 campaign covers a wide range of nighttime themes, including shopping, dining, tours, entertainment, shows, reading and sports. Ahead of its official opening, several major events have already begun across the city, bringing early summer energy to Shanghai's bustling nighttime economy.

The Bailian Night intangible cultural heritage market opened on June 5 at Guang'er Warehouse and along Guangfu Road by the Suzhou Creek. Running through June 14, the market brings together more than 40 stalls featuring traditional crafts and lifestyle products.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the cooperation between Shanghai and Yunnan province, the market features intangible cultural heritage items from both regions, including rabbit-themed lanterns, ink-paste making, and Chinese knotting. Visitors can also join hands-on workshops guided by artisans, trying their hand at tie-dyeing scarves and sewing herbal sachets.

To add a refreshing seasonal touch to the event, a herbal drinks booth by Shanghai No 1 Pharmacy is serving summer beverages such as mung bean and sour plum drinks.

Yunnan flowers have also become part of the market experience, with costumed performers offering fresh flowers to visitors.

Another highlight is the fourth Shanghai Craft Beer Festival, which opened on June 5 at Shenyu Lane in MixC World Suhewan and runs through June 7.

The festival brings 68 domestic and international independent craft beer brands into a century-old shikumen architectural complex, creating a contrast between historic urban spaces and contemporary beer culture. Drinks on offer include German-style lagers, American IPAs, fruit sour beers, barrel-aged beers and stouts.

Notably, several brands have introduced Shanghai-inspired or locally flavored products, including beers infused with magnolia and dried tangerine peel, while creative offerings such as beer slushies have also drawn visitors.

The festival also features popular local food and beverage brands, a token-based purchase system, an outdoor lawn karaoke area, and visual installations designed for visitors to take photos and socialize.

Lin Lin, an organizer of the beer festival, said the lineup includes both domestic and overseas craft beer brands, with some from countries such as the United States and New Zealand. The festival selects brands with strong visual design and varied flavors to offer consumers a richer experience, he said.

Spanish visitor Enrique Javier Gallardo Aguilar said he had tasted more than 10 craft beers at the festival and still felt it was "not enough". He said every flavor was worth recommending, adding that summer was the best time to enjoy Shanghai's nightlife with friends.

Since its launch in 2023, the Shanghai Craft Beer Festival has run for three consecutive years, attracting hundreds of thousands of visits in total.

Meanwhile, at Found 158, the 2026 FEAST food carnival has officially opened, combining downtown nightlife with open-air street dining culture.

The event brings together local food and beverage brands, creative drinks, limited menus, and pop-up stalls. It also features DJ performances, a second-hand market, French Open broadcasts, massage services, art exhibitions, and interactive games.

Andrew Moo from Australia and Michael Janczewski from Poland have introduced a limited Southeast Asian menu at one of the FEAST food stalls.

Moo, who has lived in Shanghai for nearly 10 years and opened several restaurants in the city, said Shanghai's vitality, openness to new ideas, fast pace, and convenience were among the reasons he enjoyed living here.

Wan Li, head of FEAST, said the event receives an average of 3,800 to 4,200 visitors a day. Visitors include local young people, overseas travelers, and families with children and elderly members, creating a lively community atmosphere, she said.

Found 158 will continue to launch more events in the coming months, Wan added.