Expert recommendations of the top events—with tips on how to best experience these celebrations.
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Chinese New Year or Spring Festival
First day of the lunar new year, generally late January or February. Commemorated with business closures (up to three days), private feasts, and fireworks.
Dragon Boat Festival
Fifth day of the fifth moon, generally May or June. Dragon boat racing and zhong zhi—sticky rice treats in bamboo leaves—are the final remaining vestiges of this national holiday, harking back to imperial China.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Fifteenth day of eighth moon, generally August or September. What’s an occasion in China that doesn’t involve food? This one entails yue bing—or “mooncake” pastries filled with your choice of black bean paste, dates, lotus seeds, salted eggs, and more.
Shanghai Contemporary
Early September. Annual art fair begun in 2007 by a pair of European gallery owners interested in bringing attention to the budding Shanghai art scene, focused around the M50 district. www.shcontemporary.info
Shanghai International Arts Festival
Late November-December. Month-long festival exhibits the best of visual art and the Shanghai Biennale (even number years), as well as music, opera, acrobatics, and dance.
