​Shanghai Summer｜​18 city-customized events guide

City-customized EventsShanghai has launched 18 city-customized events as part of its ongoing Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season, inviting global travelers to experience the city's vibrant pulse and immerse themselves in its rich culture. From major exhibitions and thrilling street sports to iconic pop culture and lifestyle showcases, this city-wide celebration promises unforgettable experiences for all.

Shanghai Disney Resort Summer-themed CelebrationsLet's Keep It RealWhen: Now to Aug 29Where: HKRI Taikoo Hui, No 288 Shimen Road Number OneWhen: Now to Aug 31Where: Taikoo Li Qiantan, Alley 500 Dongyu Road

In collaboration with Disney China, both HKRI Taikoo Hui and Taikoo Li Qiantan bring Mickey Mouse and his friends to life in a limited-time summer wonderland. Visitors can enjoy character meet-and-greets, photo ops with instant prints, pop-up stores, artistic installations, and hands-on crafts. At Taikoo Li Qiantan, find a themed pool, pet park, music stage, large screens, and exciting performances.

Fans of Toy Story and Frozen also have something special to look forward to!

Toy Story: 30 Years and BeyondWhen: Now to Sept 14Where: Bund Finance Center, No 200 East Zhongshan Road Number Two

Frozen: Summer Snow Day CelebrationWhen: Now to Sept 14Where: Shanghai Nanxiang Incity Mega, No 2299 Chenxiang Highway

Bailian Vibe FestivalWhen: Now to Aug 31Where: All Bailian Group retail outlets in Shanghai and online stores

With a focus on inbound consumption, member perks, fashion, culture, and youth trends, local retail giant Bailian Group launches themed gift cards, consumer coupons while introducing nearly 1,000 foreign-trade goods into 300 of its stores. Discover a global shopping experience without leaving Shanghai!

Pop Mart Summer of Trendy ToysSkullpanda Cage-Uncage ExhibitionWhen: Now to Aug 20Where: Gate M West Bund Dream Center, No 2266 Longteng Avenue

The Monsters Wacky Mart pop-up storeWhen: Now to July 30Where: Jing An Kerry Centre, No 1515 West Nanjing Road

Zsiga Take It Slow ExhibitionWhen: Now to Aug 3Where: Century Link Mall, No 1192 Shiji Avenue

Baby Molly & Baby Tabby pop-up storeWhen: Now to Oct 8Where: Florentia Village Shanghai, Nos 1-365 Alley 58, Zhuoyao Road

Stay Cool, Stay Ikea This SummerWhen: Now to July 22Enjoy 1 million free ice creams at 4 stores across Shanghai, half-price main dishes on weekdays and customer also get an e-voucher to use during that day when taking part in the deal.

When: July 23 to Aug 12Take advantage of "Summer On Sale" discounts of up to 50 percent, join auctions, and collect exclusive fridge magnet.

When: Aug 13 to Sept 23Explore back-to-school offers for IKEA family members, discover new summer drinks, and join the ongoing children's summer camp.

*Available at participating Ikea stores in Xuhui, Baoshan, Changning, and Pudong New Area.

Yuyuan Garden Summer Nights: Yu-inverse Made by BilibiliWhen: Now to Aug 29Where: Yuyuan Garden Malls, No 265 Middle Fangbang Road

For the first time, Yuyuan Garden Malls has teamed up with video-sharing and streaming platform Bilibili to present a 46-day event featuring 10 of Bilibili's top original Chinese animation series.

This event offers more than just a visual feast; it is a retail and cultural experience that visitors can see, touch, and feel. From themed food and fashion to collectibles, the entire Yuyuan Garden Malls complex is transformed into a universe of Chinese animation.

Even time-honored brands are joining in the excitement. For example:

Lao Miao Gold has launched collaborative jewelry inspired by Heaven Official's Blessing.

Ningbo Tangyuan Shop and Shanghai Classic Restaurant are offering themed dining experiences based on Heaven Official's Blessing and Link Click.

Shanghai Animation Film Studio x Popome Edutainment ParkWhen: From June 1Where: Global Harbor Mall, No 3300 North Zhongshan Road

Step into a kingdom of classic Chinese animation with characters like Monkey King, Nezha, and Black Cat Detective. With 10 themed zones and over 40 immersive play areas, it offers a paradise of interactive games, storytelling, and art education for children and families.

Summer tour at Sinar Mas PlazaWhen: July 25 to Aug 10Where: Sinar Mas Plaza, No 588 Dongchangzhi Road

Shanghai's skyline welcomes The Stage, the city's newest and highest open-air observation deck at 320 meters.

Accessible with a ticket, visitors can enjoy exclusive drinks and desserts while taking in breathtaking skyline views and snapping unforgettable photos.

Don't miss Playground X on the 5th floor of Sinar Mas Plaza, featuring both indoor and outdoor basketball courts — the perfect place to stay active and enjoy the energy of a Shanghai summer.

International visitors can present their passports at the LG1 customer service desk to receive an exclusive SMP Blooming Passport. Collect stamps and redeem them for surprise gifts!

Star of Shanghai · MAP Orsay CruiseWhen: Now to July 31Where: Oriental Pearl Cruise Wharf, No 2852 Binjiang Avenue

The Museum of Art Pudong has partnered with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Trip.com to launch the Star of Shanghai · MAP Orsay Cruise, an exhibition-themed boat experience that set sail for the first time on July 4.

This special journey combines city sightseeing with artistic exploration, drawing inspiration from two iconic rivers: the Huangpu River in Shanghai and the Seine River in Paris. It connects two cultural landmarks — the Museum of Art Pudong and the Musee d'Orsay — creating a dynamic, floating dialogue between Chinese and French art and architecture.

Van Cleef & Arpels: Poetry of TimeWhen: Now to Aug 11Where: West Bund Dome Art Center, No 2300 Longteng Avenue

This watchmaking exhibition makes its global debut in Shanghai, featuring a newly designed scenography.

Explore sections like the Cabinet of Curiosities, which showcases the brand's historical archives and museum collections, alongside themed galleries highlighting its signature sources of inspiration — ballerinas and fairies, Poetic Astronomy, love stories, and Enchanted Nature.

Visitors can also view a new automaton and the latest Metiers d'art masterpieces.

Amazing Zhulong: An Immersive Exhibition of Eastern MythologyWhen: Now to Oct 8Where: China Art Museum, Shanghai (No 205 Shangnan Road)

As the world's first major art-tech exhibition focused on mythical Chinese beasts, Amazing Zhulong brings ancient legends into the future.

Created by top international teams over several years, it uses cutting-edge technologies such as real-world sets, naked-eye 3D, and holographic lasers to resurrect the legendary dragon Zhulong.

Spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, the exhibition invites visitors into a stunning world — no VR gear needed.

Spanish Arts Festival on the Bund 2025To mark the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, the Jiushi Art Museum has launched the Spanish Arts Festival with support from the Art Exhibitions China, the Embassy of Spain in China, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Spain in Shanghai, and the Miguel de Cervantes Library.

Featured exhibitions

Splendor to Nature: Gaudi with His EraWhen: Now to Oct 8Where: Bund 18 Jiushi Art Gallery, 2F, No 18 East Zhongshan Road Number One

Splendor Immerses Everything: Sound of GaudiWhen: Now to Oct 8Where: Jiushi Art Salon, 1F, No 230 East Beijing Road

Jorge Rando: Quiero Pintar La VidaWhen: Now to Aug 22Where: Shanghai Jiushi Art Museum, 6F, No 27 East Zhongshan Road Number One

Art Masters: A Virtual Reality ExperienceWhen: Now to Oct 12Where: Jiushi International Art Center, 2F, No 1 East Zhongshan Road Number One

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)When: Now to Nov 30Where: West Bund Museum, No 2600 Longteng Avenue

This is the first immersive art exhibition by David Hockney, one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Rather than a traditional retrospective, this 55-minute digital journey is a vivid re-imagination of his six-decade career. Featuring massive projections, dynamic surround sound, and towering screens, visitors are fully immersed in Hockney's unique visual universe.

Building Shanghai: Architecture, Urbanism, and Culture since 1949When: Now to Aug 10Where: West Bund Museum, No 2600 Longteng Avenue

This groundbreaking exhibition unfolds nine themed sections, showcasing over 80 iconic architectural projects and more than 300 items, including blueprints, photographs, archives, and artworks, to comprehensively trace Shanghai's urban and architectural journey over the past 76 years.

As the city's first major exhibition devoted exclusively to architecture, it breaks conventional curatorial boundaries and unveils rare historic materials for the first time, offering both local and global audiences a distinct perspective on the Shanghai Spirit.

Splash Season: Waterfront Music SeasonWhen: Now to Aug 31Where: Gate M West Bund Dream Center, No 2266 Longteng Avenue

The riverside comes alive each week with diverse musical flash performances during the Waterfront Music Season. The series also unites retailers at Gate M West Bund Dream Center, using art as a driving force to boost urban consumption and highlight Shanghai's distinctive summer charm.

'Flourishing' Summer & Autumn Season at West Bund TheatreWhen: July to NovemberWhere: West Bund Theatre, No 2290 Longteng Avenue

Located just 20 meters from the Huangpu River, this waterfront theater's "Flourishing" season unfolds in two major acts and features performances such as the original Chinese musical The Message and the stage play The 3 Penny Opera by the Berliner Ensemble.

West Bund Central Summer International Cultural CarnivalWhen: Now to Mid-SeptemberWhere: WB Central, No 288 Ruining Road

WB Central is a massive integrated complex that blends finance, commerce, culture, arts, and tourism.

This summer, it is hosting one to two themed events each month, offering diverse cultural experiences from around the world. Highlights include pet-friendly festivals such as "Summer Glow", where visitors can enjoy Italian-themed performances, a parade of decorated floats, signature Aperol Spritz tastings, and more.

The ongoing art exhibition Even Now, I Hold It Close and urban cycling events further enrich the lively summer atmosphere.

Spanning multiple venues across the complex, these activities engage local communities and brand partners alike, creating immersive, multicultural consumption experiences that showcase the unique summer appeal of West Bund.

Shanghai Finals of the Li-Ning Bad Five Street Basketball LeagueWhen: Aug 9 (the national finals)

Since its launch in 2004, the Li-Ning "3+1" Basketball League, also known as the Li-Ning Bad Five Street Basketball League, has captured two decades of streetball spirit. Its signature 3-on-3 team showdowns and 1-on-1 battles blend brotherhood with fierce competition.

From July 4 to 6, the Shanghai finals lit up the Gate M West Bund Dream Center, where team You Sheng Mei claimed the championship and earned the honor of representing Shanghai at the national finals in Beijing on Aug 9.

Lululemon Summer Sweat GamesWhen: Aug 2Where: Jing An Kerry Centre (Anyi Road and South Plaza), No 1515 West Nanjing Road

The Summer Sweat Games, the flagship annual community event by the Canadian athletic apparel brand lululemon, has been thriving since its debut in 2021.

Now in its fifth year, the Shanghai regional final will take place on Aug 2 along Anyi Road in Jing'an district.

The event promises a high-energy celebration featuring fun fitness challenges and community workout sessions. Both locals and visitors are invited to experience the brand's vibrant community spirit and be part of a citywide movement for summer sweat and wellness.

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