The 2024 Shanghai Night Festival, themed “Tonight is the Night,” launched on June 6 with a spectacular array of 100 special activities designed to invigorate the city’s summer nights.
Running from June to September, this extended festival promises a rich blend of shopping, dining, exhibitions, entertainment, tourism, sports, and reading events, enhancing Shanghai’s reputation as China’s leading city for nighttime vitality.
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Extended Festival Duration
For the first time, the festival will span approximately four months, bridging the Double Five Shopping Festival (late April to end of June) and the Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season (July to October). This prolonged celebration underscores Shanghai’s commitment to fostering a vibrant night economy.
Shanghai’s Nighttime Vitality
According to the 2024 Night Economy Index for Chinese Cities, Shanghai has maintained its top position in nighttime vitality among 337 cities nationwide. As of the end of 2023, the city boasted 2,810 bars and screened 295,200 night films, the highest in the country, reflecting its dynamic nightlife.
Diverse Nighttime Activities
The festival will feature a variety of nighttime activities, including museum and zoo nights, sports nights, e-sports events, and special events at terraces, parks, and waterfronts. Shi Xiaolong, vice-president of the Bailian Group, announced the “Bailian Night” brand, which will host night shopping, art markets, nighttime shows, and night yoga sessions across its commercial districts.
The group plans to issue 150 million yuan in consumption vouchers to promote nighttime spending.
Unique Reading Experiences
Book lovers will enjoy the Peace Library, Shanghai’s first 24-hour park library, which will offer round-the-clock service and open a night reading space in August, integrating low-carbon exhibitions and eco-friendly reading.
Enhanced Visitor Experience
Shanghai Wild Animal Park will introduce night tours during the summer, and 100 interactive activities will be held at 80 boutique terraces. Additionally, Found 158, a sub-venue of the night festival, will launch a seven-week sports and entertainment activity centered around Euro 2024, enhancing the experience for international visitors.
Found 158 features nearly 20 global restaurants and bars and will provide multilingual services in French, Spanish, and other languages to cater to international guests. It will also introduce foreign currency POS machines and international electronic wallet payments to streamline transactions.
Foreign Contributions to Shanghai’s Nightlife
The opening ceremony featured stories from five expats, including Christian Devillers, executive director of Fotografiska Shanghai, and other notable figures from the US, Japan, France, and Australia, highlighting their contributions to and enjoyment of Shanghai’s vibrant nightlife.
Integration of Commerce and Culture
Financial institutions are playing a pivotal role in the festival, with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank issuing millions of yuan in nighttime consumption vouchers. The festival also teamed up with Ant Group’s Lan Hua Huo channel to launch the “Night Shanghai 66PASS” nightlife discount e-cards, promoting various city destinations and activities.
Huangpu district released a city walk map for nighttime consumption, featuring seven themed routes, and UCCA Edge introduced an art creation map with installations at six locations. Tencent Games will host an e-sports month, including the Valorant Masters Shanghai 2024, China’s first international VALORANT Champions Tour event.
The 2024 Shanghai Night Festival promises a vibrant summer with diverse activities that showcase the city’s bustling night economy and cultural richness.
Source: Attention: 100 events to enjoy nightlife in Shanghai
