Shanghai this week: Light festival, float parade, and ticket discounts
Shanghai will see mostly cloudy skies with stable temperatures this week. The Shanghai International Light Festival will light up the city from Sept 17, while the Shanghai Tourism Festival's floats continue their tour across the city. Here is what to watch for.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with stable temperatures
The week will be mostly cloudy. Light precipitation is expected on Sept 17, followed by brief showers in some areas later in the week.
Temperatures will remain stable, with lows of 22 C to 25 C and highs of 29 C to 31 C. Mornings and evenings will be comfortable, while midday remains slightly warm.
Workday reminder: Sept 20
Mid-Autumn Festival holiday: Sept 25 (Friday) to Sept 27 (Sunday), three days off.
National Day holiday: Oct 1 (Thursday) to Oct 7 (Wednesday), seven days off.
Adjusted workdays: Sept 20 (Sunday) and Oct 10 (Saturday).
Train tickets for Oct 1 on sale from Sept 17
The railway travel period for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays will run from Sept 23 to Oct 8. Oct 1 is expected to be the peak travel day, and tickets can be purchased starting Sept 17.
Shanghai International Light Festival
The third Shanghai International Light Festival will be held from Sept 17 to Oct 16, featuring 158 themed activities at one main venue and 16 sub-venues.
"Light of Shanghai" is the festival's permanent theme, expressed through four key concepts: technology, culture, the future, and everyday life.
Shanghai Tourism Festival floats
Following the 2026 Shanghai Tourism Festival grand parade, 21 floats are touring 10 areas across the city from Sept 13 to Oct 6 for parades and displays.
This week's schedule:
Chongming district
- When: Sept 15, 6:55 – 8:55 pm
- Where: Chongming Avenue and Wanda Plaza
Hongkou district
- When: Sept 17, 7:30 – 8 pm
- Where: The Inlet and Life Hub @ Bund Central
Jiading district
- When: Sept 19, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- Where: Wuwei Road, between South Guyiyuan Road and Chaxi Road
Limited-time ticket discounts at scenic spots
To welcome the 48th WorldSkills Competition and as part of the Shanghai Tourism Festival, scenic spots and attractions across Shanghai are offering limited-time ticket discounts and special activities from Sept 12 to 27.
September nightlife map
Shanghai has released its September nightlife map, bringing together distinctive evening activities from across the city. Keep this guide handy to explore the city's vibrant nightlife.
China Shanghai International Arts Festival discount tickets
Discount ticket sales for the 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival will get a major upgrade, with ticket sales outlets located in commercial districts for the first time. The first round of discount tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Sept 15 at five Bailian commercial zones across the city.
This round includes 45 major performances and exhibitions, with more than 4,300 tickets expected to be available. A second round is scheduled for late October.
WorldSkills Shanghai visitor registration closes today
The 48th WorldSkills Competition will be open to the public free of charge during designated viewing hours from Sept 23 to 26.
Visitors must complete online real-name registration by the end of Sept 14 and present an electronic entry pass for admission.
Soccer matches
Two Shanghai teams will play in AFC club competitions this week:
- Sept 15, 6 pm: Ratchaburi vs Shanghai Port (AFC Champions League Elite)
- Sept 17, 8:15 pm: Shanghai Shenhua vs Tampines Rovers (AFC Champions League Two)
Grand Yuyuan Music & Heritage Festival
The inaugural Grand Yuyuan Music & Heritage Festival will run from Sept 19 to Nov 15 across two areas: Yuyuan Garden Malls and the Bund Finance Center. The festival will feature captivating performances that highlight intangible cultural heritage and blend Eastern and Western traditions.
New Bund Chillout
The 2026 New Bund Chillout (Qiantan Lifestyle Festival) will open on Sept 20 and run through Nov 1. Spanning the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, the event features flowers, light, music, markets, and diverse activities, creating a unique urban lifestyle experience along the Qiantan waterfront.
Musical L'Alegria que passa
When: Sept 18 – 20
Where: Shanghai Culture Square, Huangpu district
This legendary production by the Spanish theater company Dagoll Dagom blends modern musical styles with electronic and live instrumentation, paired with visually striking choreography that interweaves street dance, acrobatics, and physical theater. The show makes its Shanghai debut this weekend, bringing a distinctly Barcelona artistic flair to local audiences.
Sources: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, official sources for the events mentioned above
