The third Shanghai International Light Festival will run from Sept 17 to Oct 16, featuring light installations and performances at venues across the city.

This guide covers festival venues in Pudong New Area and the Jing'an, Xuhui, Hongkou, and Yangpu districts.

Pudong New Area

When: Sept 20–Oct 16

Where: New Bund Red Lane (前滩公园巷) and selected locations across Pudong New Area

The Pudong program will center on Qiantan, also known as the New Bund, with displays extending to waterfront, commercial, and cultural sites throughout Pudong.

Highlights:

• Opening ceremony: A lighting ceremony will be held at New Bund Red Lane on the evening of Sept 20, with landscape lighting switched on across the Qiantan business area.
• Qiantan displays: Architectural light shows will be staged at Qiantan Center (前滩中心) and Crystal Plaza (晶耀前滩). Projections, art installations, and ambient lighting will also appear at Qiantan Leisure Park (前滩休闲公园), Qianjiatan Road (钱家滩路), and nearby waterfront spaces.
• Along the route: Visitors will find an 800-meter illuminated avenue, a gauze-screen projection show, and themed double-decker buses.
• Two light corridors: One riverside corridor will cover areas including Lujiazui and the Expo. Another, centered on the Gate of Science (科学之门), will feature technology-themed displays against the surrounding landscape.

Jing'an district

When: Sept 19–Oct 7, 6–10 pm

Where: West Nanjing Road, Suhewan, and Daning commercial areas

Most displays in Jing'an will run through Oct 7, while activities in the Daning commercial area will continue through Oct 16.

Highlights:

• Jing'an Park (静安公园): Interactive artworks will be installed around the plaza, lawn, and tree-lined paths. The central lawn will feature a wind-driven light installation and a 9-meter "moon river". An 18-meter illuminated fish will appear to glide across the nearby lake amid lasers and mist.
• Shenyuli (慎余里): From Sept 26, the historic shikumen complex at Suhewan MixC World will display 20 selected works from the 2026 Shining Shanghai International Light Art Competition.
• Suzhou Creek waterfront: Near Zhejiang Road Bridge (浙江路桥), two upgraded shows and interactive installations will line the waterfront, with photo spots for visitors. The area will also feature content linked to the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
• Daning: Life Hub @ Daning (大宁国际广场) will present installations including "Star Fountain" and "Starry Night Fairy Tale". Drone formations and other low-altitude digital displays are also planned above Daning Park (大宁公园).

Xuhui district

When: Sept 19–Oct 7

Where: Xuhui waterfront and Xujiahui Origin (徐家汇源)

In Xuhui, displays will be concentrated along the West Bund and at Xujiahui Origin.

Highlights:

• West Bund installations: Large-scale artworks and projection-mapping shows will be staged at West Bund Dream Center (西岸梦中心) and other waterfront locations.
• Global premieres: Works created through the MM·ARTech+ artist residency program will premiere at West Bund during the festival.
• ITC (徐家汇中心): Installations and synchronized displays across multiple screens will be shown at the recently opened commercial complex.
• Across the district: Activities will also take place at iapm Mall (环贸iapm), No 8 Hengshan Road (锦和越界衡山路8号), Longhua Hui (龙华会), Xuhui Vanke Mall (徐汇万科广场), and Caohejing Incity (漕河泾印象城).

Hongkou district

When: Sept 28–Oct 14

Where: North Bund waterfront and other locations across Hongkou district

Hongkou's program will feature a space-themed route along the North Bund waterfront.

Highlights:

Five-part waterfront journey: The route starts at the entrance to Taiping Road and continues to the Maritime Tower (海事塔), where a ring-shaped installation will frame views of the Huangpu River.

Opening display: During the opening ceremony, the tower installation will be synchronized with digital displays on nearby waterfront buildings.

Installations along the route: A mirrored structure will reflect its surroundings by day and reveal illuminated images after dark. At North Bund Garden (航海公园), projections, lasers, and a glowing lawn path will mark the final section of the route.

Sports and cultural events: The program will align with the Head of Shanghai River Regatta, pairing daytime competition with nighttime waterfront displays. The Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal (上海港国际客运中心) will host a traditional Chinese-style market in late September and a music carnival in early October. Shanghai Music Valley (上海音乐谷) will also present architectural projections and live performances.

Yangpu district

When: Sept 27–Oct 6

Where: Yangshupu Power Plant Ruins Park (杨树浦电厂遗址公园) and other Yangpu waterfront locations

In Yangpu, the main displays will be set among the industrial buildings and waterfront spaces of Yangshupu Power Plant Ruins Park.

Highlights:

• Waterfront walk: At Yangshupu Power Plant Ruins Park, visitors will enter beneath a moving illuminated canopy before encountering interactive displays, rhythmic installations, and beams of light along the waterfront.
• Opening projection show: Xiaolingguang, the festival's official character, will appear in a projection show tracing Yangpu's development from an industrial area to a hub for innovation and digital technology.
• WorldSkills crossover: From Sept 22 to 27, the WorldSkills Museum (世界技能博物馆) will host a special program that combines skills and light art during WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
• Across Yangpu: Universities and other venues will also hold online and on-site activities during the festival.

Note: Schedules for individual displays and performances may vary. Check official announcements before visiting.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Landscaping and City Appearance; information offices of Pudong New Area and Jing'an, Xuhui, Hongkou, and Yangpu districts