The second Shanghai International Game Animation Festival opened on June 29 along the Huangpu River, launching a citywide summer celebration that has expanded from 38 days last year to nearly 70 days and will run through late August.

 

Part 1: Major exhibitions

China International Cartoon and Game Expo 2026 (CCG Expo 2026)

When: July 4 to 6, 9 am to 5 pm

Where: 1F, Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Center of International Sourcing, No 2739 West Guangfu Road, Putuo district

CCG Expo 2026 will feature video games, tabletop games, and social entertainment. The indie game section will showcase upcoming and recently released titles across three dedicated zones, including a student game showcase jointly organized with ASUS TUF Gaming. The tabletop area will feature an international board game competition, alongside a nearly 1,000-square-meter tabletop role-playing game zone bringing together more than 210 studios and fan creators, as well as public tables for walk-in sessions.

 

BilibiliWorld (BW) 2026

When: July 10 to 12

Where: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), No 333 Songze Avenue, Qingpu district

BW is Bilibili's annual summer event. Launched in 2017, the event has grown into one of China's best-known gatherings for young pop culture fans. The event brings together games, animation, comics, film and television, along with merchandise, stage shows, and interactive activities. This year, BW will feature more than 170 exhibitors, the highest number in its history.

 

China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference (2026 ChinaJoy)

When: July 31 to Aug 3

Where: Shanghai New International Expo Centre, No 2345 Longyang Road, Pudong New Area

Under the theme "Level up with AI", ChinaJoy 2026 will spotlight AI-enabled innovation across the digital entertainment industry. The event will feature exhibitions, industry conferences, esports competitions, and online cloud-based platforms, while maintaining its strong focus on games. Visitors can explore the latest games, entertainment hardware, digital technologies, and interactive experiences.

 

Part 2: Citywide ACG activities

Nine districts, including Pudong New Area, Huangpu, and Jing'an, have jointly unveiled a map of featured sub-venues, extending the program beyond conventional venues and into shopping districts across the city. Here are some highlights:

Pudong New Area

The 2026 Shanghai Pudong Guzi (Goods) Carnival will take place at Super Brand Mall, featuring seven themed zones including creative markets and Chinese animation-themed pop-ups.

Nearby, Century Link Mall and Expo Place will host garden fairs and themed brand pop-ups.

L+Mall will feature a Paw Patrol-themed exhibition and a Final Fantasy XIV-themed summer celebration designed for both families and dedicated gamers.

 

Huangpu district

Along the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Bailian Group is launching the 2026 BW × Bailian ZX sub-venue across four of its commercial complexes, creating the nation's first dedicated gaming and animation shopping destination.

New World City will host over 10 exclusive pop-ups, an esports challenge tournament, and animation character parades.

The No 1 Department Store will present an FC esports tournament and the Chinese mainland debut of the CR7 Life Museum.

HY Plaza will present a Goose Goose Duck pop-up featuring exclusive merchandise, while FOUND 158 will energize Shanghai's night economy with a Guochao (China-chic) festival that blends the city's time-honored brands with animation culture.

 

Jing'an district

Joy Universe 3.0 returned to Jing'an Joy City on June 25. This year's edition presents a diverse lineup of entertainment franchises spanning different media formats.

Featured titles include Chinese web novels such as Ten Days Ultimatum, alongside hit games such as Reverse: 1999, Sky: Children of the Light, and Project Sekai.

The event also features popular character brands such as the Sanrio characters × Maltese collaboration and Joke Bear and Friends, as well as the Chinese variety show Keep Running.

Starting in early July, a branded double-decker bus operating on Shanghai Chunqiu International Travel Agency's sightseeing Route 1 will serve as a mobile-themed attraction.

From late July, a themed metro station installation will feature creative column wraps in the station hall, integrating selected elements of the event into the daily commute.

 

Part 3: The International 2026

The event series will culminate with The International 2026, or TI15, Dota 2's annual world championship. Organized by Valve and locally hosted by Perfect World, this tournament will bring the world's best teams to the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center from Aug 20 to 23.

Ahead of the tournament, Chapters of Immortality, the first-ever dedicated Dota 2 orchestral concert, will make its world premiere at the Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall on July 11. The concert will be performed by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

 

Part 4: China International Game Developers Conference (CIGDC)

CIGDC will take place from July 28 to 30. Expanded from one day to three this year, the conference will offer a more comprehensive program featuring one main forum, eight sub-forums, and multiple featured activities.

Its international reach also continues to expand. The conference has received support from governments and industry organizations in the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Switzerland, and South Korea, and is expected to attract nearly 100 game industry professionals from around the world.

 

Part 5: ACG-themed shows and concerts

Immersive Arcane: A music show based on the theme of 'Battle of Two Cities'

When: Through Aug 30 (Wednesday to Sunday)

Where: Shanghai Hotel, No 505 North Wulumuqi Road, Jing'an district

Adapted from the animated series Arcane, the production brings the world of League of Legends to life. Audiences can step into the intertwined worlds of Piltover and Zaun, experiencing the characters' stories through light, music, and immersive staging.

Immersive theater pioneer Conor Doyle leads the creative team, joined by visual artist Luke Halls, Olivier Award-winning sound designer Gareth Fry, and other top audiovisual artists. A cast of over 30 performers brings the fictional world to life.

 

Moment & Eternity: Light and Night fifth anniversary concert

When: July 4 to 5

Where: Jing'an Sports Center, No 116 Wenshui Road, Jing'an district

Conducted by Zhao Xiaoou, an associate professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and performed by the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, the concert features artists from a range of musical genres.

Guest performers include Mandopop R&B singer-songwriter Tia Ray, Chinese folk soprano Zu Hai, and dancer Zhu Jiejing of the Shanghai Dance Theatre.

 

Wuthering Waves 'To the New World' 2026 concert

When: July 16 to 18

Where: Oriental Sports Center, No 300 Yongyao Road, Pudong New Area

Based on the original soundtrack of Wuthering Waves, the concert blends pop music, instrumental music, and dance performances. Beyond the concert, a Wuthering Waves-themed pop-up will also appear at Bailian ZX on Nanjing Road.

 

Sources: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Shanghai Morning Post