As Chinese New Year approaches, Shanghai's major commercial landmarks are hosting seasonal fairs, lantern displays, and cultural programs. Here are some highlights.

Gate M West Bund Dream Center

Gate M West Bund Dream Center presents a waterfront Chinese New Year program featuring opera performances, seasonal markets, and experiences with intangible cultural heritage. The north zone draws inspiration from traditional Chinese opera headpieces, while the south zone incorporates elements of the oil-paper umbrella. Festive lighting and large-scale installations create a setting suitable for both daytime visits and evening strolls.

From Feb 6 to 8, a Chinese New Year goods market will feature regional snacks and lifestyle brands, blending traditional flavors with modern products. From Feb 20 to 23, a dedicated intangible cultural heritage market will display crafts such as bamboo weaving and rubbings, offering visitors the chance to engage with artisans and participate in hands-on workshops.

📅 When: Through March 4

Panlong Xintiandi

Panlong Xintiandi is adorned with red lanterns as the yearly temple fair makes its return. Centered on Jiangnan-style Chinese New Year traditions, the fair brings together intangible cultural heritage crafts, regional delicacies, and classic festive customs. A key feature is the traditional fish lantern display, which is a well-known symbol of good fortune in the Jiangnan region.

📅 When: Through March 3

The Inlet

The Inlet launches a large-scale Chinese New Year season featuring more than 100 activities. These include themed lantern displays, cultural and creative markets, Chinese New Year shopping, folk performances, and craft workshops.

The Haipai-style Lantern Festival is a major highlight, featuring motifs of galloping horses, blooming flowers, and Chinese New Year symbols to create an immersive lantern display along the streets.

📅 When: Through March 3

Bund Finance Center

BFC has collaborated with Chinese toy company Pop Mart to showcase Chinese New Year installations at the North Plaza.

The main feature is a carousel inspired by palace lanterns, showcasing illuminated displays of Pop Mart's signature characters. Festive lighting spreads across the surrounding streets, with Fengjing Road transformed into a lantern-lit walking corridor. The upper walkways within BFC feature themed light installations, creating a laid-back evening sightseeing route along the Bund.

📅 When: From Feb 1 onward

New Bund Red Lane

This two-day immersive street fair recreates a classic Chinese New Year scene with nearly 100 stalls featuring traditional festive goods. More than 30 specialty carbohydrate-focused food brands from across China serve regional noodles, rice-based dishes, street snacks, and desserts.

Visitors can browse a selection of quality Chinese New Year goods, including pastries, cured foods, and decorations. They can also join traditional games and hands-on activities such as paper-cutting, pitch-pot, calligraphy, and sugar painting. Fresh flowers and potted plants are also available for those looking to decorate their homes for the holiday.

📅 When: Feb 7 to 8

Shanghai International Convention Center

The first Pudong Chinese New Year Cultural Festival is held along the Lujiazui waterfront. The program brings together folk performances, intangible cultural heritage markets, food tastings, and cultural-creative products. Set against the Lujiazui skyline, the event blends traditional Chinese New Year customs with a modern urban backdrop, offering a convenient stop for both locals and visitors.

📅 When: Through Feb 9

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and venues mentioned above