From international food markets and local snacks to bread, fermented foods, and pizza, Shanghai has a range of food events lined up for the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.

Shanghai Snack Carnival

When: Through Sept 27

Where: South Plaza, Global Harbor

The seventh Shanghai Snack Carnival has six sections: five main sections covering international food, snacks, drinks, specialty products from counties across China, and Shanghai Gifts, plus a special Australia-themed section.

• The international food section features specialties from Asia, Europe, Oceania, and other regions, including imported products and new food creations.
• The snack section features time-honored Chinese brands and regional specialties from across China, including flavors from Hong Kong and Taiwan.
• The drinks section offers free tastings, wine-tasting activities, and cocktail-making experiences, with drinks to pair with snacks and street food.
• The county specialty products section, focused on rural revitalization, features brands from counties across China and provides a platform connecting producers with the market.
• The Shanghai Gifts section features Shanghai-style crafts, cultural and creative products, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, and products from time-honored local brands.
• The Australia-themed section showcases products from Australia and highlights economic and cultural exchanges between China and Australia.

Visitors who spend at least 500 yuan ($74.67) at the event on the same day can enter a lucky draw aboard the Tilado yacht for a chance to win a Huangpu River cruise ticket.

Go! Bistro global food market

When: Sept 24 to 27

Where: Shanghai No 1 Yaohan

Around 40 bistro-style food and dessert stalls stretch from the landmark curved wall at Shanghai No 1 Yaohan toward Zhangyang Road, serving international flavors alongside dishes from China's eight major regional cuisines.

Visitors can also meet chefs, learn about food and drink pairings, and enjoy social activities at the market.

Bread festival at Columbia Circle

When: Sept 24 to 27, from 11 am until sold out

Where: Columbia Circle

The festival features more than 100 bakery brands from 24 cities, including those from Suzhou, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Beijing, Guiyang, Dali, and Shanghai. Over half of the participating brands are from outside Shanghai, and many are making their Shanghai debut.

The selection includes crusty European-style sourdough loaves, soft bagels, creatively flavored breads, and Mid-Autumn Festival-themed breads and mooncakes.

After dark, a bread-themed lantern display adds a Mid-Autumn touch. Lanterns shaped like croissants, bagels, and toast are displayed alongside a giant moon-shaped bread installation and a croissant moon-phase wall.

Shanghai Fermentation Festival

When: Sept 24 to 27, noon to 9 pm

Where: West side of SoLong Park, Shanghai MixC

The festival explores a variety of fermented foods and drinks, including kombucha, fermented alcoholic drinks, sourdough bread, handmade gelato, locally fermented foods, and regional snacks.

Visitors can also join hands-on workshops, including making sparkling kombucha, flower-infused sparkling wine, and creative dishes. Information panels at the venue also explain the science behind fermentation.

Pizza Drop Festival

When: Sept 25 to Oct 7

Where: Hongqiao Qianwan Incity Mega

Pizza styles from around the world are on the menu, from Italian and American classics to regional varieties and Chinese-inspired creations.

Italian offerings include classic Neapolitan pizza, thin and crisp Roman pizza, and thick, soft Sicilian pizza. American-style varieties include New York-style thin crust, Chicago deep dish, and Detroit-style square pizza.

The festival also features styles from France, Brazil, Greece, and Turkiye, including Alsatian pizza topped with fresh cheese, onions, and bacon, and Sao Paulo-style pizza with Catupiry cheese.

Chinese-inspired pizza will be another highlight, with ingredients from different parts of the country paired with handmade pizza bases and cheese. A total of 30 pizza brands from across China will each present two new creations, bringing 60 regional pizzas to the event.

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and the venues mentioned above