Shanghai International Light Festival 2026: What to See from 21 September

The third Shanghai International Light Festival is running across the city until 16 October 2026, with 158 themed activities at a main venue in Huangpu and 16 sub-venues. For international residents, the most useful way to approach it is not to try to see everything. Pick one or two districts, check the latest schedule before travelling, and focus on the strongest free performances and light-art installations.

Most festival areas are free to enter, while selected programmes require reservations or tickets. The official Shanghai city guide says schedules for individual displays and performances can change, so visitors should check the latest district announcement on the day they plan to go.

What are the best Shanghai Light Festival events still to come?

Several of the most interesting programmes take place after 21 September, including jazz, international puppet theatre, waterfront installations and a new Qingpu district programme.

Huaihai Wonder Night jazz parades: 25 and 26 September

Middle Huaihai Road will host two more Huaihai Wonder Night Jazz Parades at 7:30 pm on 25 and 26 September. The official programme describes live jazz, dance and improvisation moving from Middle Jinling Road through major Huaihai Road landmarks including Shanghai Plaza, Lippo Plaza, Hong Kong Plaza, K11, Ruian Plaza and Shanghai Times Square.

The parade is designed as a public street event, so it is one of the easiest festival options for residents who want music without committing to a ticketed evening.

International puppet theatre: until 12 October

Shanghai Puppet Theater is presenting five productions on Middle Jinling Road and Middle Huaihai Road until 12 October. These street performances are free. Exact performance times are being announced separately, so check the city programme before setting out.

Qingpu light festival programme: 21 September to 7 October

Qingpu’s festival programme begins on 21 September and runs until 7 October. Its opening ceremony is scheduled for 7 pm on 21 September at Bailian Outlets Plaza. The district programme includes interactive light installations, a Songze Culture Wall, a large-scale poetic light show and the public-engagement project Summon the Aurora Together.

This is a useful option for residents based west of central Shanghai who do not want to travel into Huangpu for every major festival event.

Yangpu waterfront: 27 September to 6 October

Yangpu’s main festival programme runs from 27 September to 6 October around Yangshupu Power Plant Ruins Park and other waterfront locations. The programme uses the area’s industrial architecture for projections, interactive displays and illuminated installations.

There is also a WorldSkills crossover at the WorldSkills Museum from 22 to 27 September, combining skills demonstrations and light art.

Light and shadow bubble show: 1 to 3 October

A free light-and-shadow bubble show is scheduled for 1, 2 and 3 October from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Shanghai Plaza and Jinzhong Plaza. Because those dates fall inside the National Day holiday period, expect heavier crowds than on ordinary weeknights.

Where is the main Shanghai International Light Festival venue?

The principal venue is in Huangpu district, with major activity around Waitanyuan and Yanzhong Greenland on Middle Yan’an Road. The wider festival extends across 16 sub-venues, including programmes in Pudong, Jing’an, Xuhui, Hongkou, Yangpu and Qingpu.

At Waitanyuan, a waterfront light-art route along Suzhou Creek includes works by artists from 16 countries. Yanzhong Greenland combines an urban forest setting with projection and interactive light installations, while the area around Shanghai Concert Hall is hosting music-and-light programming.

Is the Shanghai Light Festival free?

Much of it is. Shanghai’s official festival information says most areas are open to the public free of charge. Some special programmes, cruises and selected experiences require reservations or tickets.

Do not assume that every event shown on the festival map is walk-in. For any specific performance or paid experience, check its official listing before travelling.

How should international residents plan a visit?

• Choose a district rather than chasing the whole festival. The programme is spread across the city and is too large for a single evening.
• Recheck the schedule on the day. Individual performance times and reservation requirements can change.
• Use weekday evenings where possible. National Day and Mid-Autumn holiday periods are likely to be considerably busier.
• Build the night around public transport. Many of the strongest central installations are close to established metro corridors.
• Combine it with everyday Shanghai rather than treating it as a one-off tourist attraction. If you are new to the city, Babylon’s guide to the best cities to live in China and 2026 guide to paying in China cover practical newcomer basics.

Official sources and latest information

The dates, programme scale, venues and free-versus-ticketed model in this guide were checked against the Shanghai Municipal Government festival overview, the city’s 20 September district guide, the Huaihai programme and the Qingpu programme.

Last verified: 21 September 2026.

Featured image: Shanghai at night, Henry Chen via Unsplash.