Prime 8 Chinese New Year Events in Shanghai 2026: Fire Horse Year Celebrations & Lantern Festivals

Chinese New Year Events in Shanghai 2026

Chinese New Year events in Shanghai light up the city from February 15 to March 3, 2026. For three weeks, you can see 70,000 LED lights sparkling at Yu Garden, hear the sounds of temple ceremonies echoing through the old quarters at midnight, and appreciate contemporary light installations sparkling on the Bund waterfront. That’s Shanghai for you—ancient Chinese traditions alive in the world’s most modern city, and cutting-edge Chinese new year events in China’s oldest city.

We’ve put together this guide to 8 signature chinese new year events in shanghai for different types of travellers. Whether you’re looking for a spiritual experience at a 600-year-old temple, a fun family time at pet-friendly flower markets or contemporary celebrations like K-pop flash mobs you’ll have time practical information on timing, costs and transportation all in one place. Each section is written to help you navigate this busy time of year in an authentic way to the chinese new year events in shanghai without feeling overwhelmed.

🎆 Think of it as the warm-up before China’s traditional New Year — Shanghai’s New Year’s Eve takes you straight into 2026 with city lights, temple bells, and a buzzing skyline.

1. Yu Garden Lantern Festival: 70,000 LED Lights Meet Ming Dynasty Heritage

The 2026 Yu Garden Lantern Festival spills over the walls for the first time in 30 years. Now, for the first time, you can walk a 2.3-kilometre illuminated path from the Ming Dynasty complex through Old City streets queuing either side to the Bund skyline. It’s like following a river of light through Shanghai history.

This year pays tribute to the Year of the Fire Horse, with designs inspired by Classic of Mountains and Seas mythology. The main attraction “Galloping through Celestial Gates” consumes the entire Nine-Turn Bridge. The heart of the festival, this 15-metre stallion made from 8,000 LED modules changes colours as it ‘runs’. Don’t miss the “打铁花” (molten iron flower) performance, held nightly at 19:30 and 21:00. In an age-old tradition, artisans hurl 1,600 °C molten iron to the ground, spraying sparks. Twenty heritage restaurants run pop-up stalls. From Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, order the signature crab roe xiaolongbao for ¥42. The “Beyond Lanterns” exhibition presents actual lantern artifacts from thirty years of celebrations, turning spectacle into experience.

The 31-day festival is open from mid-January through mid-February. Tickets are priced at ¥50 on weekday and ¥80 on weekends. A National Intangible Cultural Heritage site since 2008, Yu Garden hosts Shanghai’s most spectacular CNY celebration, with an estimated 1-2 million festivalgoers each year.

Practical Tips

• 📍 Location: 269 Fangbang Road, Huangpu District
• 🕐 Hours: Jan 15-Feb 20, 2026 (lanterns 17:00-22:00, closed on Feb 16 eve for preparation)
• 💰 Average cost: ¥50 weekdays | ¥80 weekends | ¥127 VR package
• 🚇 Transport: Line 10 Yuyuan Garden Station Exit 2
• 💡 Tip: Book online via Piaoxingqiu app 7 days ahead for 15% discount; visit 18:30-19:30 to beat crowds; weekday mornings offer the most peaceful experience

2.City God Temple Midnight Ceremony: 600-Year Rituals Welcome Foreign Visitors

Just down the road from Yuyuan Garden sits Chenghuang Miao (Shanghai City God Temple), one of three great temples in the Yangtze Delta. Built during the Ming Dynasty Yongle reign, it is dedicated to Qin Yubo, a Yuan Dynasty official who was later deified as Shanghai’s protective deity. There are twelve halls in all, including the City God in the main hall, a place for Mazu (the Goddess of the Sea, mainly for sailors), five Wealth Gods, as well as shrines for health, academics, and marriage.

The midnight “burning first incense” (烧头香) corresponds to New Years and is the most auspicious time of year. Massive crowds show up at 22:00 on New Years Eve, creating an atmosphere of solemn anticipation. Around 22:30, temple staff pass out numbered queue cards, making sure the first 108 worshippers are logged in. At midnight, the main hall doors swing open, sound of ancient hinges creaking as sandalwood incense grows thicker. The procession to the altar begins three at a time holding three sticks each. What surprises first time participants? The welcoming atmosphere temple staff wearing “English Help” badges invite foreigners to burn incense. After midnight, the adjacent night market stays open until 03:00, serving tangyuan (stuffed rice balls), stewed pork belly, and shengjianbao (pork buns).

Practical Tips

• 📍 Location: 247 Middle Fangbang Road, Huangpu District (City God Temple / Chenghuangmiao)
• 🕐 Hours: Midnight ceremony Feb 16, 2026; queue cards distributed 22:30; temple open daily during festival
• 💰 Average cost: FREE entry | Incense ¥10-20
• 🚇 Transport: Line 10 Yuyuan Garden Station, 8-min walk
• 💡 Tip: Arrive by 22:00 for queue cards; bring small bills; wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees; night market open until 03:00

3.Panlong Shuiji: Jiangnan Water Town's Quieter Alternative

Panlong Tiandi is tucked into where you expect what a logical water town is, Zhujiajiao water town in Qingpu District, 45 kilometers from downtown Shanghai. More residential than other ancient water towns hijacked by tourism. Old folks hang clothes to dry above canals, neighborhood cats take their snooze naps on stone bridges. Temple fair January 29 through February 12, so you can reward yourself and take a break from the downtown madness.

All roads lead to Xianghuaqiao Bridge, a Qing Dynasty pink stone arch. Dragon and snake lanterns hanging and rippling in the canal waters make for more than your fair share of Instagram-worthy photos. From 14:00 – 17:00 fun intangible cultural heritage workshops offer tie-dye with natural indigo, shadow puppetry, dough sculpture, and Chinese knot tying. ¥50-¥80 per workshop for90 mins each, go easy, English-speaking teachers available.

Cuisine is Jiangnan isn’t the same as Shanghai urban food. Think 粽子 sticky rice dumplings, 年糕 pounded rice cakes, smoked fish, and 八宝饭 eight-treasure rice. Vendors procure their produce from Qingpu farms and you can literally taste the difference. Local families buy at the stall—good sign.

Practical Tips

• 📍 Location: Panlong Tiandi, Zhujiajiao, Qingpu District
• 🕐 Hours: Feb 17-Mar 3, 2026 (market 10:00-21:00, lanterns from 17:00)
• 💰 Average cost: FREE entry (Workshops: ¥50–80)
• 🚇 Transport: Metro Line 17, Zhujiajiao Station + 8-minute walk; Bus from People’s Square
• 💡 Tip: Visit 16:00-18:00 for golden hour photos; combine with Zhujiajiao Ancient Town for half-day trip; fewer crowds than downtown Shanghai

4.Zhenru Temple: 108 Zen Bells in Yuan Dynasty Architecture

Zhenru Temple (真如寺), established in 1320 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), occupies an interesting place in Shanghai’s religious landscape. Its Mahavira Hall is one of only three surviving Yuan-era timber structures south of the Yangtze River. Unsurprisingly, the temple derives its name from the Buddhist Sanskrit “Tathātā” (真如), or “suchness,” appropriate for a refuge of authenticity in a rapidly modernizing Shanghai.

Much smaller than Longhua Temple’s ostentatious ceremony, Zhenru admits only 200 advance ticket holders, free via the temple Wechat starting from December 15. The architecture of the congregation area exudes tranquility. Mahavira Hall uses tiered “inward-leaning” pillar construction, with its sixteen cypress columns included, of course, and six dating back to 1320. Built without fasteners using traditional 斗拱 (dòugǒng) bracket systems, participants meditate on the previous year’s anxieties during the ceremony. Afterwards, the vegetarian restaurant at Zhenru opens at 01:00. The “New Year Blessing Meal” (德福膳, ¥68) uses vegetables grown on temple grounds, served in meditative silence.

Practical Tips

• 📍 Location: 1329 Lanxi Road, Putuo District (Zhenru Temple)
• 🕐 Hours: Bell ceremony Feb 16, 2026 midnight (register in advance); temple open daily 7:00-16:30
• 💰 Average cost: Temple ¥10 | Ceremony FREE with registration | Vegetarian meal ¥68
• 🚇 Transport: Line 11 or 14 Zhenru Station Exit 7, 10-min walk
• 💡 Tip: Reserve via WeChat starting Dec 15, 2025; call ahead for vegetarian meal (021-6228-8811); dress warmly as midnight temperatures drop to 2-5°C

5.Shanghai Film Park: Old Shanghai Streets Meet Harbin Ice Lanterns

Shanghai Film Park functions as a current movie studio backlot 40 km from the city center, recreating the 1930s Shanghai—Art Deco facades, tramcar tracks, vintage billboards. During the Chinese New Year festivities in Shanghai in 2026, the Park will introduce the surreal juxtaposition of Harbin-style ice lanterns placed within a Republic-era setting.

With an investment of ¥12 million in industrial coolers, the park creates a 3,000-square-meter “ice lantern street” using 300 tons of ice blocks imported from northeast China. Sculptors carve traditional dragon motifs and zodiac animals embedding LED lights into transparent blocks of ice. The visual result creates a temporal dissonance as women in qipao pose beside Harbin ice pagodas as antique street lamps of the 1930s glow overhead.

Shanghai Film Park’s signature attraction is its nightly “molten iron flower” (打铁花) performance at 21:00. Artisans heat iron to 1,600°C and then strike molten metal with large wooden paddles sending sparks 30 metres in the air. This Tang Dynasty technique almost disappeared during industrialization, and these performances are orchestrated into a 15-minute show set to electronic music. The park offers immersive role-play, for ¥388 visitors can rent period costumes to participate in “Murder Mystery Shanghai 1936” scenarios alongside professional actors.

6.BFC Golden Tree: Instagram's Hottest Chinese New Year Backdrop

BFC Golden Tree

BFC Bund Financial Center turns its north plaza into free public art during Chinese new year events in Shanghai. At its core is this 8-meter gilded tree sculpture that interacts with visitors: as guests approach, infrared sensors trigger an LED sequence that makes the 2000 metal leaves shimmer in waves.

It anchors three zones: there’s a “Slytherin Zodiac Garden” (the year of the rabbit) filled with Harry Potter zodiac animals in hogwarts scarves; demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage from 14:00-20:00 (includes sugar painting and paper cutting alongside workshops); and a “Taste of Bund” food market with thirty vendors, from century-old sweet shops to less traditional concepts. The location of BFC allows for a logical walking loop: visit the Yu Garden for traditional lanterns (18:00-19:30), walk to the BFC for contemporary art and dinner (20:00-21:30) and finally follow the Bund waterfront for river views.

The result? 90 minutes of ancient and modern Shanghai. The BFC Bund Financial Center Market runs for 37 days of Chinese style pop-ups, folk cultural products, and displays of intangible heritage, making it one of the longest running Spring Festival markets in Shanghai.

Practical Tips

• 📍 Location: 600 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, Huangpu District
• 🕐 Hours: Jan 20-Feb 25, 2026 (plaza 10:00-22:00, tree illumination 17:00-22:00)
• 💰 Average cost: FREE
• 🚇 Transport: Line 10 Yuyuan Garden or Line 14 Madang Road
• 💡 Tip: Best photos from northwest corner; 5F rooftop has direct Bund views; visit during sunset (17:30-18:30) for golden hour photography

7.Bund Source Market: Shanghai's Only Pet-Friendly Spring Festival

Bund Source Market

Bund Source complex is set within the old British Consulate buildings from 1870-1920. Fortunately, the mansions have been reworked into small courtyards for more intimate events. The market for 2026 runs January 25-February 8th and mixes old-world structures across three areas.

“Wenhan Fang” (Scholar's Plaza) will host calligraphy demos while professionals creates Spring Festival couplets (¥50-200) and explain the meaning of the words drawn. Next is “Yanhuo Xiang” (Fireworks Alley), a snappy name for a food hall with 25 vendors equally at home mixing heritage snacks like candied hawthorn and corn with artisan coffee.

Finally, “Yangu Mountain” features monstrous massive horse sculptures 2-meters tall made of recycled materials.

Thanks to the pet-friendly skin, dogs on leashes under 15kg can enter all areas. They’ve provided water stations, a dispensing area for doggie bags, and even a patch of land for running round sans leash! Daily performances at 15:00, 17:30 and 19:30 include lion dances and acrobatics routines. Location-wise, at just 800m from Yu Garden it makes for an easy mid day break on walking tours.

Practical Tips

• 📍 Location: Yuanmingyuan Road, Huangpu District (Waitanyuan)
• 🕐 Hours: Feb 1-15, 2026 (daily 10:00-21:00, performances 15:00, 17:30, 19:30)
• 💰 Average cost: FREE entry (individual purchases vary)
• 🚇 Transport: Line 10/14 Yuyuan Garden Station, 12-min walk
• 💡 Tip: Pet-friendly (dogs under 15kg on leash); visit 14:00-15:00 for calligraphy workshops; bring vaccination certificate for pets

8. L+Mall: Gen Z Meets Traditional Astrology and K-Pop

Galloping Wonder celebration at L+Mall

L+Mall occupies Lujiazui financial district's heart in Oriental Pearl Tower's shadow. Moreover, the 2026 "Galloping Wonder" celebration marks the mall's 7th anniversary and Year of the Horse. Additionally, programming splits between traditional culture and Gen Z targeting.

First, the Dunhuang Museum collaboration brings "Divine Snake Garden" exhibition to the fifth floor. Specifically, it features hand-painted silk scrolls depicting flying apsaras and mythical creatures from cave murals. Meanwhile, the first floor "Flying Flower Path" recreates desert oasis scenery. In particular, it includes 3,000 artificial peonies and interactive floor projections. Consequently, these trigger digital petals swirling around you.

Furthermore, the master stroke involves partnering with Tao Bobai (陶白白), China's most popular astrology influencer. Notably, he has 15 million Weibo followers. Specifically, he hosts live sessions February 1-2 offering "New Year Fortune Predictions." Additionally, ¥199 tickets sold out in 6 hours. Moreover, five "immersive fortune spaces" themed around five elements provide AI-generated fortune readings via QR code. Meanwhile, daily K-pop flash mobs at 19:00 feature local dance crews performing popular choreography. Consequently, this calculated gamble attracts Shanghai's under-30 population who might otherwise skip chinese new year events in shanghai.

Practical Tips

• 📍 Location: 1500 Century Avenue, Pudong District
• 🕐 Hours: Feb 1-25, 2026 (mall 10:00-22:00, exhibitions 10:00-20:00)
• 💰 Average cost: FREE mall entry (special events may charge)
• 🚇 Transport: Metro Line 2/9/14 Lujiazui Station, direct connection
• 💡 Tip: K-pop flash mob 19:00 daily; ¥500+ purchases get lucky draw entry; book Tao Bobai sessions online at least 2 weeks ahead

Shanghai Chinese New Year Fireworks Events 2026: What You Need to Know

Fireworks Displays at Shanghai Disneyland

The most frequent question about chinese new year events in shanghai involves fireworks. Understanding Shanghai's regulations prevents disappointment and helps visitors find legitimate alternatives.

Shanghai Disneyland—Theme Park Pyrotechnics

Shanghai Disneyland represents one of the few places to legally get fireworks off in greater Shanghai. The resort’s midnight “Light Up the New Year” show combines traditional fireworks with castle projections and LED effects in a 15-minute spectacular. Standard admission (¥599) covers park access from 10:00-01:00 on New Year’s Eve.

Pros: Shows choreographed by professionals and synchronized to music instead of random bang. Cons: Crowds of 40k plus on the busiest nights mean you need to be waiting in line ahead of time (pre 18:00+) to secure a viewing location in front of Enchanted Storybook Castle.

Shanghai Happy Valley—Sky-Filling Spectacle

At Songjiang’s Happy Valley theme park, you can see the “Heavenly Water Screen” show presented atop fireworks, water curtains, fountains, and laser projections, with multiple shows presented each night (19:30 then 21:00) until February 15 - March 3 for the Spring Festival.

A ticket is ¥230 for adults and ¥150 for kids. The 20-minute shows end with launch of pyrotechnics against the backdrop of water screens that show animated sequences, dragons dancing in the clouds, zodiac animals racing across the sky. The peripheral location (1 hour from downtown via Metro Line 9 plus shuttle bus) means far fewer crowds than Disneyland.

Drone Light Shows—High-Tech Replacements

Drone “lightshows” are increasingly replacing patently unsafe fireworks: An army of drones loaded with LED lights fly in satisfactorily terrifying formations to create movable 3D silhouettes in the night sky - dragons undulating in and out of one other, zodiac animals galloping, Chinese characters forming and vanishing, all accompanied by music.

Some dates during Spring Festival (the specific schedule is released around mid-January) at BFC Bund Financial Center; Shanghai Tower occasionally will present shows - with 500 drones - visible from both sides of Huangpu River; previously hosted at Baoshan International Cruise Port for past new year celebrations. Unlike visual attractions in fixed light show destinations, the drone performances do not have standard schedules, and vary year to year.

Essential Tips for Visiting Chinese New Year Events in Shanghai 2026

Understanding practical realities transforms Chinese New Year visits from potentially frustrating to smoothly enjoyable. These field-tested tips address the most common challenges international visitors face during Shanghai's Spring Festival period.

Transportation & Navigation

Navigating Shanghai during the Spring Festival requires a strategic mix of digital tools and local insight. The English-enabled "Metro大都会" app is essential for seamless contactless travel across twenty lines, including key hubs like People's Square and Yuyuan Garden. While the metro offers extended holiday hours, the ¥2 Jinling Road Ferry provides a scenic skyline alternative to underground transit. For private rides, the "DiDi Global" app is the standard, though travelers should prepare for holiday surge pricing, longer wait times, and the necessity of having destinations written in Chinese characters.

Weather & Packing Strategy

Shanghai’s February climate is defined by biting humidity rather than extreme sub-zero temperatures, making it feel significantly colder than the thermostat suggests. A successful strategy involves a three-tier layering system: a thermal base, a fleece mid-layer, and a long down jacket to block the damp wind. Since frequent drizzle is common, waterproof footwear and a sturdy umbrella are non-negotiable essentials. Travelers should prioritize outdoor sightseeing between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, retreating to heated malls or museums during the chillier early mornings and late evenings to avoid the penetrating dampness.

Dining & Booking Strategy

The first three days of the festival see many local eateries close, so travelers should focus on shopping malls, hotel restaurants, and international chains which remain reliably open. Upscale Bund dining requires booking two to three weeks in advance, often featuring premium fixed-price holiday menus. For major attractions, strict advance planning is mandatory: Shanghai Disneyland and the Yu Garden Lantern Festival often sell out ten days ahead. Securing temple ceremony tickets or high-demand reservations should begin as early as December to ensure access during this peak travel period.

Faqs: 10 Questions About Chinese New Year Events in Shanghai

Q: When exactly is Chinese New Year 2026?

Chinese New Year 2026 falls Thursday, January 29 marking Year of the Horse, with celebrations lasting 15 days through February 12 (Lantern Festival). Most significant days concentrate around first week: New Year's Eve (January 28) features midnight temple ceremonies, Days 1-3 see peak festive atmosphere with lion dances and temple fairs at full capacity.

Q: Can I find Western food during the holiday?

Absolutely—Shanghai's international character means Western dining remains widely available. Starbucks operates all locations with normal hours while international fast food chains maintain full service. Bund, Lujiazui, Xintiandi, and Former French Concession districts host numerous Western restaurants staying open with 15-20% price increases.

Q: Can foreigners join family reunion dinners?

Joining authentic family reunion dinners remains challenging since New Year's Eve dinner carries profound cultural significance reserved for immediate family. Several pathways exist: cultural exchange programs coordinate family placements (applications open December-early January, expect ¥200-500 fees); commercial platforms connect travelers with paid home dining (¥400-800).

Q: What weather should I expect?

Shanghai's late January/early February weather hovers 6-9°C (43-48°F) daytime with 2-5°C nighttime lows, but humidity makes it feel colder. Rain remains common with 8-10 rainy days during typical visits. Pack waterproof jacket with hood, thermal underwear, fleece pullover, waterproof walking shoes.

Q: How crowded will Yu Garden be?

Yu Garden attracts 1-2 million visitors across 43 days with absolute peak crush January 29-February 3. Crowd-avoidance strategies: visit weekday afternoons 15:00-17:00, first show slot 18:30-19:30 draws 40% fewer people than prime 20:00-21:00. Purchase timed-entry tickets specifying 17:00-18:00 arrival.

Q: What cultural taboos should I avoid?

Chinese New Year revolves around maximizing auspicious energy and avoiding anything jinxing the year. Critical taboos: never mention death or dying/funerals/hospitals, avoid number 4 (sounds like death), if you break glasses/plates immediately say "岁岁平安" (Peace year after year). Avoid sweeping on New Year's Day (sweeps away luck), wearing white/black clothing (funeral colors—stick to red/gold/pink/orange).

Q: Which ride-sharing apps work?

DiDi Chuxing dominates with 90%+ market share after Uber ceased operations in 2016. Download "DiDi Global" app before arriving (English version for foreigners) and register using international phone linking credit card. Spring Festival surge pricing adds ¥5-30 with increased wait times especially 22:00-02:00 New Year's Eve.

Q: Do I need restaurant reservations?

Reservations shift from "recommended" to "essential" during chinese new year events in shanghai particularly January 29-February 3. Michelin-starred/upscale dining book 1-2 weeks advance via OpenTable/Ctrip/direct contact, mid-range restaurants reserve 3-5 days ahead. Shanghai Disney tickets sell out days ahead for peak dates (purchase 7+ days advance).