Shanghai authorities have announced an extensive program of cultural and commercial activities to mark the arrival of 2026 and the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. The festive season, running through March 3, will encompass New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, and Lantern Festival with a carefully curated blend of traditional cultural events and modern commercial promotions.
At a Tuesday press conference, city officials detailed hundreds of scheduled events including performances, concerts, art exhibitions, shopping festivals, tourism activities, and sporting events. According to Huang Binbing, Deputy Director of Shanghai’s Publicity Department, the celebration program features over 300 activities specifically for the New Year’s Day holiday period, comprising 132 cultural performances, 13 concerts, and 134 art exhibits. The Spring Festival period in February will see nearly 400 events welcoming the Year of the Horse.
Immediate celebrations include spectacular firework displays along the Baoshan district waterfront and around Dishui Lake in the Lin-gang Special Area. Fitness enthusiasts can participate in 16 running events across 11 urban districts to usher in the new year. The city’s cultural institutions will present diverse musical performances while more than 20 ancient towns will host traditional folk events for visitors.
The commercial dimension of the celebrations was emphasized by Liu Min, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, who announced more than 100 major promotional events designed to stimulate consumer spending in shopping districts and across e-commerce platforms. Tourists will receive special discounts, gifts, and unique cultural experiences including traditional Chinese medicine demonstrations and Chinese New Year traditions at tax-free stores.