This January brings not only the excitement of a brand-new year but also the festive celebrations of Chinese New Year. Kick off your year with unforgettable experiences that will brighten your winter days. From colorful lantern festivals to scenic city walks and lively New Year concerts, there's something for everyone. Start the year with moments that truly stand out!
1. Putuo citywalk tour
The Putuo citywalk tour highlights popular filming locations in the district, showcasing sites featured in renowned movies and TV shows. The event is designed for domestic and international tourists to explore and check in at these iconic spots.
When: From Jan 1
Where: Global Harbor (No 3300 North Zhongshan Road, Putuo district); M50 Creative Park (No 50 Moganshan Road, Putuo district); and other places
2. Snake-themed Lantern Festival
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Panlong Tiandi with a stunning serpent lantern winding through the ancient Panlong Bridge. Streets and bridges are adorned with festive lights for an enchanting experience.
When: Until February
Where: Panlong Tiandi (No 8 Lane 123, Panding Road, Qingpu district)
3. Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival
The annual Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival will illuminate Shanghai on New Year's Day, celebrating the upcoming Year of the Snake and its 30th anniversary. The lantern displays will depict a vibrant and harmonious tapestry of life, showcasing animals, forests, mountains, and mythical elves from Shanhaijing, or The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a major source of Chinese mythology that dates back more than 2,000 years.
When: Jan 1 to Feb 12
Where: No 265 Middle Fangbang Road, Huangpu district
→ Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival to light up Shanghai on New Year's Day
4. New Year Flower Market
The inaugural New Year Flower Market will feature common flowers such as butterfly orchids and daffodils in celebration of the New Year, as well as plants that are rare or never-before seen at a flower market. You can also enjoy activities such as skating and tasting global delicacies.
When: Until Feb 16
Where: Shanghai Expo Culture Park (No 2200 Shibo Avenue, Pudong New Area)
5. Shanghai International Winter Festival
The nearly 1,000-square-meter outdoor ice rink at Sinar Mas Plaza is open to all winter sports enthusiasts. With over 50 ice- and snow-themed events, it promises exciting activities and a revitalized take on traditional winter sports.
When: Until Feb 28
Where: Sinar Mas Plaza (No 501 Dongdaming Road, Hongkou district)
1. Lamborghini Art Center global debut exhibition
The exhibition brings together 106 limited-edition works by 22 internationally renowned artists, including Kaws, Banksy and Nara Yoshitomo. It merges cutting-edge contemporary art with cultural heritage, offering visitors a one-of-a-kind visual and cultural experience.
When: Until Jan 5
Where: Tianhou Palace (No 36 Santai Road, Jing'an district )
2. Art Spreads to the World: Chinese Traditional New Year Pictures
New Year paintings serve as a simple reflection of Chinese society's customs and beliefs. Their themes are vast and diverse, making them a veritable encyclopedia of folk life and cultural traditions.
When: Until March
Where: Shanghai University of International Business and Economics Gubei Campus (No 620 Gubei Road, Changning district)
3. Wuhan Museum Jade Collection Exhibition
The beauty of jade is found not only in its texture but also in its intricate carvings. The exhibition features 100 exquisite pieces from the Wuhan Museum. These pieces, dating back to ancient China, are celebrated for their high quality and diverse range.
When: Until March 2
Where: Shanghai History Museum (No 325 West Nanjing Road, Huangpu district)
4. Accidentally Wes Anderson
This exhibition pays tribute to Wes Anderson, the renowned filmmaker known for his unique visual style, as seen in The Grand Budapest Hotel. It showcases over 300 photographs, carefully selected by the director, that emulate his signature compositions and color palettes.
When: Until March 16
Where: Fosun Foundation (No 600 East Zhongshan Road Number Two, Huangpu district)
5. Gaudi: The Atelier of the Divine immersive XR experience
This is Shanghai's first XR experience of architectural art that features Spanish architect giant Antonio Gaudi. Audiences have the opportunity to be his apprentice and construct his signature work in extended reality.
When: Until March 16
Where: Fosun Foundation (No 600 East Zhongshan Road Number Two, Huangpu district)
6. An Encounter with Beauty: William Morris & The British Arts and Crafts Movement
The exhibition, organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, features 123 sets of artworks from the British Arts and Crafts Movement period. Among them are works by William Morris, a pioneer of the movement.
When: Until April 6
Where: World Expo Museum (No 818 Mengzi Road, Huangpu district)
7. Crafting a World in Stone
This grand exhibition focuses on the study of Shanghai-style seal carving and gathers works by contemporary seal carving artists, including Lai Chusheng, Chen Julai, and Ye Luyuan.
When: Until April 6
Where: Cheng Shifa Art Museum (No 1398 Hongqiao Road, Changning district)
8. Awakening: V Muse Jewelry Collection Exhibition
This exhibition showcases jewelry spanning the past 400 years, emphasizing the whimsicality, aesthetic styles, and exceptional craftsmanship of both unsung and legendary masters from diverse eras and cultures.
When: Until May 5
Where: Shanghai History Museum (No 325 West Nanjing Road, Huangpu district)
1. 2025 New Year's Concert of One Voice Children's Choir
This choir comes from the state of Utah in the United States. It consists of 180 children from all over the world, ranging in age from 5 to 18. They will perform a variety of popular songs at the Shanghai concert.
When: Jan 3 to 4
Where: Shanghai Grand Theatre (No 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district)
2. Notre Dame de Paris
On Jan 18, 2025, this piece of classical musical will welcome its 100th performance at the Shanghai Culture Square. In addition to performances, workshops, in-person meetings with actors, guided tours to the stage, and thematic lectures will also be available as part of the celebratory activities.
When: Jan 3 to 27
Where: Shanghai Culture Square (No 597 Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu district)
3. Spirited Away New Year Concert
The works of Japanese anime film director Hayao Miyazaki have influenced generations of people not only in Japan but around the world. The New Year's concert will select and perform some of the most representative musical compositions from his films.
When: Jan 7
Where: AIA Grand Theatre (No 889 Dongdaming Road, Hongkou district)
4. WetMan: Show in the Rain
The show has been touring the world for 15 years and is widely considered to be one of the best Russian performances. It was choreographed by Russia's famous choreographer Rustam Nadyrshin, who skillfully combined real rain scenes with various dance techniques.
When: Jan 10 to 12, Jan 14 to 19
Where: 1862 Theater (No 1777 Binjiang Avenue, Pudong New Area)
5. The Deer and the Cauldron
The drama is based on Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron, which is set during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The story follows the adventures of Wei Xiaobao, a young man who rises from humble beginnings to become a trusted confidant of Emperor Kangxi.
When: Jan 19 to 25, Feb 2 to 16
Where: Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre (No 288 Anfu Road, Xuhui district)
6. 2025 Shanghai Spring Festival Concert
2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss II. This concert focuses on the classic works of Johann Strauss II and his family, featuring a wide range of musical forms such as waltzes, polkas, and marches. These pieces not only have beautiful melodies and lively rhythms, but also convey a love for life and a hopeful outlook for the future.
When: Jan 30 to 31
Where: Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall (No 523 East Yan'an Road, Huangpu district)
(Sources: Official WeChat accounts of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Huangpu district culture and tourism bureau, Changning district culture and tourism bureau, Fosun Foundation, Jing'an district government, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Culture Square, Shanghai Pudong New Area Tourism Development Service Center, AIA Grand Theatre, Xuhui district culture and tourism bureau)
