Explore Shanghai's rich cultural traditions across its various districts this Spring Festival. From calligraphy and paper-cutting to lantern crafting and games of riddles, the city's intangible cultural heritage comes alive through hands-on experiences, connecting traditions with modern forms of festive celebrations.
Embroidery workshops
As a nationally recognized ICH item, Shanghai velvet embroidery steps out of exhibition halls and into daily life through this series. From January to March, each month focuses on a different theme, with two instructors guiding participants in creating handmade items infused with velvet embroidery techniques.
When: Through March
Movable type printing workshop
Participants can learn the basics of traditional movable type printing, from selecting and arranging wooden characters to safely applying ink and transferring prints onto paper. Everyone can take home their own printed work while discovering the ingenuity of this ancient craft.
When: Mid-February
Guochao culture festival
This guochao (Chinese-style) festival features multiple events, starting with a children's traditional costume competition and ending with a Lantern Festival fair. This festival also features shadow puppet performances.
When: Through March 3
Where: Jing'an IMIX Park and Pengpu town community cultural center
Longhua Hui Chinese New Year celebrations
Part of the seasonal event series at Shanghai Longhua Hui, the celebrations present a blend of contemporary and traditional Chinese New Year atmospheres, with immersive installations, festive customs, and live performances.
When: Through Feb 21
Opera performances
The Changning Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center hosts festive opera shows in a teahouse setting, creating an immersive Chinese New Year atmosphere for opera lovers and visitors of all ages.
When: Through Feb 23
Where: Changning Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center
Visual archaeology of the Maritime Silk Road
A phased exhibition that falls under the "Visual Maritime Silk Road" cultural project, this displays works inspired by historical exchanges along the ancient maritime trade routes.
When: Through March 3
Where: Changning Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center
Ink & brush art exhibition
Located in a cultural complex that brings together two national-level forms of ICH craftsmanship in Zhou Huchen brush making and Cao Sugong ink making, this space showcases the techniques behind traditional ink brushes and ink sticks, along with special exhibits such as the world's largest wolf-hair brush and rare works by masters of Shanghai-style calligraphy.
When: Through March
Baoshan local cultural & creative products exhibition
Showcasing works by ICH artisans and local creative products, this exhibition highlights the cultural charm and distinctive ICH features of the Baoshan area.
When: Through Feb 23
Calendar poster exhibition
Originally serving as commercial art during the early 20th century, these colorful posters later became a popular
form of Chinese New Year decoration in households. This exhibition brings together classic works that reflect the
visual language of their time, alongside contemporary pieces created by today's calendar poster artists.
When: Through March 3
Where: 1F, Meilong town cultural and sports development center
Lantern riddle challenge
As part of the recognized Shanghai ICH item "Nanxiang lantern riddles", this district-wide event blends cultural, tourism, commercial, sports, and exhibition elements through online and offline interactions.
When: Through March 3
Where: Jiading Library, commercial complexes, and other venues across the district
Jinshan farmers' painting exhibition
Focusing on the theme of the Year of the Horse, this exhibition displays works by Jinshan's farmer-painting artists, capturing festive customs, local traditions, and folk life in vivid detail.
When: Through March 6
Where: 2F Gallery, North Zone, Aegean Bingo commercial complex
Shantang Ancient Town folk experience
Try your hand at Chinese New Year woodblock printing, porcelain painting, sugar painting, local rice cake making, and more ICH crafts, while also enjoying some traditional games.
When: Through Feb 23
Zuibaichi Park Chinese New Year fair
The park is hosting over 10 festive activities including photography and calligraphy exhibitions, carving displays, and Kunqu Opera performances.
When: Through March 3
Folk culture festival at Huaxin town
Featuring Lantern Festival parades, cultural performances, ICH demonstrations, and a creative trunk market, this festival blends traditional skills with interactive experiences.
When: Through March 3
Where: Huaxin town cultural and sports service center (Fengxi Branch)
(Sources: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Pudong New Area government, Jinshan district administration of culture and tourism, Changning district administration of culture and tourism, Xuhui district government, Pengpu town community cultural center, venues mentioned above)
Source: Intl Services Shanghai
京公网安备11010802044359
Contact Us：86-10-58882453 86-10-58882413