Shanghai unveils new year celebration program

Officials in Shanghai say they are laying on a host of activities to celebrate both the arrival of 2026 and February's Chinese New Year holiday.

At a news conference on Tuesday, city officials provided details of performances, concerts, art shows, exhibitions, as well as shopping, touring and sports events.

Running through March 3, this year's new year celebration season spans New Year's Day on Thursday, Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. Officials say they aim to offer a blend of traditional celebrations and commercial promotions for Shanghai residents and visitors from across the world.

According to Huang Binbing, deputy head of the city's publicity department, more than 300 activities are planned for this week's New Year's Day holiday, including 132 cultural performances, 13 concerts and 134 art exhibits. During February's Spring Festival holiday, nearly 400 activities will welcome in the Year of the Horse.

This week, revelers will be able to enjoy firework shows on the waterfront in the Baoshan district and around Dishui Lake in the Lin-gang Special Area, or they can join in 16 running activities across the city's 11 districts to usher in the New Year. Theaters and art centers are set to present a feast of musical performances, and over 20 ancient towns in the city will provide folk events for visitors.

Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, said more than 100 major promotional events will be held during the celebration season in an effort to boost consumption in the city's main shopping areas and on e-commerce platforms.

According to officials, tourists will be offered special discounts and gifts during the celebration season, as well as being given the chance to experience traditional Chinese medicine products and services and Chinese New Year traditions at some tax refund stores.