From dazzling parades to exciting cultural exhibitions, the 35th Shanghai Tourism Festival, which runs from Sept 14 to Oct 6, promises to be an unforgettable journey for residents and travelers from around the world.

Join us as we explore some of the amazing events awaiting you at the annual tourism extravaganza.

 

Float Parade

A raft of 25 floats will showcase the local characteristics and traditional culture of different regions of Shanghai. The parade will unfold in iconic landmarks, commercial centers, and famous scenic spots across the city.

If you go

Sept 14 at Central Mall on East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Sept 15 in Life Hub@ Daning, Jing'an district

Sept 16 in Global Harbor, Putuo district

Sept 17 in Shanghai Film Park, Songjiang district

Sept 20 in Chongming New City Convention Center, Chongming district

Sept 21 in Jiefang Road of Nanqiao town, Fengxian district

Sept 22 in Jinghe Road near North Fengtang Road, Jinshan district

Sept 24 in Wuwei Road, Jiading district

Sept 25 in Jiangwan Stadium, Yangpu district

Sept 26 in Injoy Mall, Qingpu district

Sept 27 in Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Baoshan district

Sept 28 - Oct 6 in Dishui Lake, Lin-gang Special Area

 

Shanghai International Light Festival

A hundred light shows will be staged in the first Shanghai International Light Festival, featuring astonishing light installations and light shows projected on buildings.

If you go

Time: Sept 19 - Oct 18

Main venue: Shanghai Exhibition Center

Branch venues: Pudong, Huangpu, Jing'an, Xuhui, Changning, Putuo, Hongkou, Yangpu, Songjiang, Qingpu, Fengxian, and Lin-gang Special Area

 

Rose Wedding

A grand ceremony will showcase fine traditional Chinese culture under the theme of "Embracing Love in Shanghai".

If you go

Time: Sept 22

Location: The Bund Finance Center

 

Qipao Culture Festival

At the Qipao Culture Festival, you can wear traditional qipao featured in popular TV series and films and take part in the AI Qipao Design Contest.

If you go

Time: Sept 16 - Oct 7

Location: Shanghai Film Park

 

Tours in Shanghai alleyways

Tourists will be invited to experience Chinese tea culture in Shanghai's best-preserved shikumen neighborhoods such as Zhangyuan and Shenyuli.

If you go

Time: Sept 19 - 22

Location: Suhewan MixC World and Zhangyuan

 

Suzhou Creek Culture and Tourism Festival

Using 12 traditional Chinese painting colors to represent 12 urban cultural lifestyles, the event invites overseas tourists to experience Chinese culture and immerse themselves in the poetic essence of Shanghai.

If you go

Time: Sept 16 - Oct 15

Location: Putuo district

 

Port Concert

With the Baoshan riverside as the natural venue, the Port Concert promises to encapsulate the cultural connotation of cruise tourism and the riverside area.

If you go

Time: Sept 28 - Oct 6

Location: Baoshan riverside area

 

Kite Festival

As one of the signature events of the Shanghai Tourism Festival, the Kite Festival invites enthusiasts from China and abroad to enjoy the autumn splendor of Shanghai through a slew of activities such as a thrilling kite flying show and parent-child kite flying.

If you go

Time: Sept 14 - Oct 8

Location: Fengxian Bay Tourist Area, Fengxian district

 

Mid-Autumn Dream Gala

Visitors to the event can experience Mid-Autumn Festival customs, intangible cultural heritage, and night shopping in places such as Guilin Park and Xujiahui.

If you go

Time: Sept 15-17

Location: Xuhui district

 

Nanxiang Xiaolong Cultural Expo

With Xiaolong steamed buns as its theme, the expo combines traditional and trendy Chinese fashion – offering visitors the chance to experience intangible cultural heritage handicrafts and enjoy folk customs performances.

If you go

Time: Between late September and late October

Location: Nanxiang Old Street, Jiading district

 

The Great Art of Dunhuang exhibition

The Great Art of Dunhuang exhibition features some of the most representative and rare artworks from the collection of the Dunhuang Academy. Among the items on display are some precious relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad.

If you go

Time: Sept 20 - Dec 20

Location: China Art Museum (Shanghai Art Museum)

 

Jiangnan Foodie Festival

This event features cuisine from the Yangtze River Delta region – offering specialty snacks and a variety of entertainment for food lovers.

If you go

Time: Sept 14-18

Location: Jinjiang Action Park

 

Shanghai Michelin Guide Food Festival

HKRI Taikoo Hui partners up with Michelin to create a festival celebrating Asian cuisine, featuring 15 esteemed star chefs from the region.

If you go

Time: Sept 30 - Oct 3

Location: HKRI Taikoo Hui

 

Shanghai Oktoberfest

At the 25th edition of Shanghai Oktoberfest, you can enjoy German beer and food in a festive atmosphere, dancing and singing to bands.

If you go

Times: Sept 19-28

Location: Radisson Collection Hotel, Shanghai Yangtze

 

Night at Museums

Some museums will extend their opening hours during the Shanghai Tourism Festival to cater to night owls.

The Shanghai Museum holds cat-friendly sessions for the exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, which allows cat lovers to have a night safari at the museum with their furry friends every Saturday through September.

The Shanghai History Museum will extend its opening hours until 7 pm from Oct 1 to 6.

During the Shanghai Tourism Festival, the Aurora Museum will extend its opening hours to 9 pm every Friday and it will host a parent-child event on the evening of Oct 4.

The Jiading Museum will extend the opening hours of some of its venues to 8 pm (last entry at 7:30 pm) from Oct 1 to 6, with activities such as the lighting of the Fahua Pagoda to be held.

If you go

Time: Sept 14 to Oct 6

Location: Shanghai Museum, Shanghai History Museum, Aurora Museum, Jiading Museum

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism