A guide to Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival

The 2026 Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival is offering a rich blend of markets, cultural fusions, and immersive tasting experiences throughout the city. Here's your guide to the festival's highlights during the holiday.

Part 1

May Day coffee highlights

• When: April 30 to May 4
• Where: North Bund

This 2.3-kilometer waterfront stretch hosts nearly 300 booths, bringing together global coffee brands and elements such as intangible cultural heritage crafts, time-honored brands, films, music, and esports. Visitors can explore an all-around experience, including airship displays, leisure fishing, a water stage, flower displays, and light installations.

• When: May 1 to 4
• Where: Dishui Lake Celebration Square and Dishui Lake International Center , Lin-gang Special Area

This venue is divided into four sections: a coffee market, interactive photo zones, stage performances, and lifestyle experiences. Highlights include original handicraft exhibitions, drone shows, fireworks, live streaming of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals London 2026, traditional fish lantern parades, and photo spots around Dishui Lake.

• When: April 30 to May 4
• Where: Dadian Lake , Zhujiajiao, Qingpu district

Set on the lawns by Dadian Lake, this lakeside coffee market blends coffee culture with water-town aesthetics and motorsport-themed elements. It offers a relaxed lakeside setting ideal for holiday outings and photo-friendly strolls.

• When: May 1 to 5
• Where: PAC shopping center , Jing'an district

The Cheer You Up event brings together 22 lifestyle brands focused on aesthetics, health, and organic living. More than 15 performances and community activities are scheduled, including music, handicrafts, and family-friendly sessions. Visitors can also take part in free games such as ping-pong, soccer, and curling.

• When: April 18 to May 10
• Where: The Curator's Garden area of the 2026 Shanghai International Flower Show, Huangpu district

As part of the 2026 Shanghai International Flower Show, the Curator's Garden area features floral-themed coffee trucks and garden-style pop-up markets. Starbucks' themed offerings and local boutique coffee brands present garden-exclusive drinks, floral-infused coffee, and light bites.

• When: May 2 and 4
• Where: Jinshan City Beach , Jinshan district

Jinshan City Beach will host a coastal coffee carnival featuring sea views, fireworks, and the district's signature "village coffee" concept.

• When: April 30 to May 5
• Where: Shanghai History Museum

The museum plaza hosts a coffee carnival, featuring boutique brands, cultural and creative vendors, and lifestyle labels. The space includes a coffee-themed zone, creative markets, family-friendly courtyards, and pet-friendly areas. Activities include coffee tastings, latte art performances, hands-on workshops, and pet competitions.

Part 2

Also worth a stop

• When: May 1 to 24
• Where: Liu Haisu Art Museum (branch), Putuo district

Putuo presents a themed exhibition exploring coffee culture through oil paintings, watercolors, and prints, combining the coffee experience with visual art.

• When: April 30 to May 31
• Where: Participating cinemas

During the Coffee and Movie Month, audiences can present a same-day movie ticket at designated coffee shops to receive discounts. Those who purchase both a movie ticket and a coffee can collect a limited-edition themed postcard. Select cinemas will also feature themed photo areas.

• When: May 1 to 5
• Where: Hongqiao and Pudong airports

Travelers arriving at Hongqiao and Pudong airports can receive a complimentary cup of coffee at designated locations in the arrival areas. A total of 3,000 cups will be given away.

Part 3

More coffee-themed events

coming in May

• When: May 9 to 10
• Where: West Bund Dome Art Center , Xuhui district

The BAE Beauty Art Exhibition at the West Bund Dome Art Center will host a crossover event combining coffee and beauty, featuring nearly 100 Chinese and foreign beauty brands.

• When: May 14 to 24
• Where: Global Harbor , Putuo district

This carnival features industry salons, perks for visitors who bring their own cups, coffee grounds craft workshops, large-scale installations, and interactions with coffee-making robots.

• When: May 16 to 17
• Where: Chongming district

This event links the Huazhao Festival, a traditional celebration of flowers and spring, with coffee culture. Visitors can explore specialty cafes, floral coffee creations, a carnival spanning culture, tourism, sports, and agriculture, as well as riverside night tours.

• When: May 17 to 20
• Where: Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center

The third Hongqiao International Specialty Coffee Exhibition will bring together more than 200 companies across the coffee industry chain. Events include the "Taste of China" Global Specialty Green Coffee Bean Competition and an industry conference.

• When: May 21 to 24
• Where: Lujiazui Central Greenland , Pudong New Area

The Lujiazui Coffee Festival highlights a trend blending traditional Chinese style with modern lifestyle culture. Visitors can explore spring garden-style markets alongside coffee and tea experiences, intangible cultural heritage displays, and food offerings, with performances such as Kunqu Opera staged on the lake.

• When: May 23
• Where: Shanghai Fish Youth Art Park , Fengxian district

The coffee and reading lifestyle festival takes the form of a sunset party, featuring curated cafe recommendations, themed markets, book-sharing sessions, yoga, fitness activities, and live band performances in a relaxed, natural setting.

(Sources: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the venues listed above, VCG)

Source: Intl Services Shanghai