Kick Off the New Year with a Burst of Excitement and Delight!

Parks, attractions, and shopping centers throughout the metropolis are prepared for the end-of-year and New Year festivities. From exhibitions to city walks and wellness runs, there is an abundance of choices for all.

Zoo Stroll

In traditional Chinese heritage, various animals signify distinct meanings and good fortune.

For instance, cranes are commonly regarded as icons of longevity, while tigers symbolize energy and strength.

Have you ever envisioned initiating the New Year with an extraordinary Zoo Stroll?

Here it is! On the morning of January 1, individuals will be welcomed to enter a lively and uplifting animal realm, becoming part of the first group of visitors to the Shanghai Zoo in the New Year, enjoying a special “appointment” with the propitious animals.

On New Year’s day, the spirit of the celebration will embrace the zoo! The young animals stir under the early light of the New Year sun, some eagerly heading to their “work areas,” while others casually savor breakfast.

In the morning when the animals are most active, visitors will wander through different spots based on clues, determine directions, strategize routes, locate those fortunate creatures, and check in for prosperity and blessings.

Details:

Date: 7am-9:30am, January 1

Location: Shanghai Zoo

Address: 2381 Hongqiao Road, Changning District 上海市长宁区虹桥路2381号

Climbing Events

It has been customary to conduct climbing events on the initial day of the New Year in the city.

The phrase “climbing high” symbolizes advancement and fresh achievements in Chinese culture, establishing it as a New Year practice.

On the first day of the New Year, a climbing event will be organized at the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, where individuals will express their good wishes for the year ahead.

A climbing event will also occur at Sheshan Hill National Forest Park.

At Dishui Lake in the Lingang Area, a wellness run extending approximately eight kilometers will take place to welcome the first rays of sunlight of 2025, featuring three categories: individual, parent-child, and team runners.

Participants can check the WeChat profile of these venues for registration.

Details:

Location: Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Sheshan Hill National Forest Park, Dishui Lake

Acanthaceae Plant Showcase

The inaugural exhibition featuring acanthaceae plants, “Hidden Elves,” at Chenshan Botanical Garden will be held until January 6, revealing the secrets of acanthaceae plants and enabling visitors to appreciate the variety and distinctive appeal of this plant family.

Acanthaceae plants are among the most varied, extensively spread, and morphologically and ecologically diverse groups among angiosperms, with over 4,000 species identified globally, placing them among the top 12 most diverse angiosperm families internationally.

Chenshan began introducing and collecting acanthaceae plants as a specialized category in 2016 and has currently gathered and preserved 32 genera and 120 species (including variants), with approximately 70 species exhibited in this event.

Guests will gain insights into the richness of acanthaceae plants and their role in everyday life. The showcase will demonstrate the uses of these plants in various domains such as art, lifestyle, medicine, and their long-established connection with humanity.

Details:

Visiting hours: 8am-5:30pm, through January 6

Location: Chenshan Botanic Garden

Address: 3888 Chenhua Highway, Songjiang District 松江区辰花公路3888号

Jade Exhibit

Jade represents a distinctive and captivating class of artifacts within Chinese heritage, showcasing its brilliant presence in the ancient cultures of Hongshan, Liangzhu, Shijiahe, among others. The essence of jade culture has also been passed down through generations, deeply affecting people’s preferences and character.

The “Spirits of Heaven and Earth, Splendor of the Yangtze and Han Rivers – Wuhan Museum’s Collection of Jade Exhibition” will grace the public at the Shanghai History Museum commencing on December 27, adding a gentle grace to Shanghai’s winter.

The exhibition is segmented into three sections: “Sacred Spirits of Heaven and Earth – Jade for Rituals,” “Exquisite Craftsmanship – Jade Decorations,” and “Warm and Beautiful – Jade Ornaments.”

It will display over 110 splendid jade items from the Wuhan Museum collection, dating from antiquity to the Ming and Qing dynasties, allowing attendees to closely observe the artistry of jade from various periods and to fully…experience the extensive and rich heritage of Chinese jade traditions.

In case you visit:

Date: 9am-5pm, until March 2

Location: Shanghai History Museum

Address: 325 Nanjing Rd W., Huangpu District 黄浦区南京西路325号

New Year’s Countdown Concert

With the New Year on the horizon, the “Joyful Jiangnan · Welcoming 2025” New Year’s Eve concert will signal the arrival of 2025 at Shanghai International Automobile City, transforming the area into a vibrant tapestry of happiness and celebration.

This captivating audio-visual display will offer a festive gathering that fuses culture, art, shopping, and relaxation, welcoming the year 2025 with laughter and delight on New Year’s Eve, stepping together into a new chapter of hope and aspirations.

Artistic expressions will merge with the hues of existence, and harmonious tunes will resonate in the surroundings. The concert comprises four principal themed segments, showcasing independent artists, youth idol girl groups, and performers from the Dream Drama Club, who will narrate the poignant tale of time, ambitions, and the future influenced by Jiangnan (south of the lower part of Yangtze River) culture, utilizing music, dance, poetry recitation, and other artistic mediums.

If you plan to attend:

The concert will culminate in a countdown and prize draws.

Date: 8pm-1am, December 31

Location: Life Hub@Anting

Address: 1055 Moyu Rd S., Anting Town 安亭镇墨玉南路1055号

Fireworks Display

Nothing compares to a mesmerizing fireworks display to ring in the New Year, and this one promises to be spectacular!

At Shanghai Happy Valley, a stunning fireworks show will light up the night sky on New Year’s Eve, while a drone show featuring a thousand drones will create an exhilarating ambiance for the first day of 2025.

Additionally, there will be float parades and winter electronic music festivals.

The intangible cultural heritage fire pot performance is equally enthralling: breaking charcoal, igniting flames, and shaking the pot… Against the night backdrop, the stunning imagery of “fire trees and silver flowers” passionately unfolds. With every lift and shake, every spin and instant, flames rise dramatically, transforming into a sky filled with “stars” that twinkle and glimmer in a breathtaking spectrum of colors!

If you plan to attend:

Location: Shanghai Happy Valley

Address: 888 Linhu Road, Songjiang District 松江区林湖路888号

International Ice and Snow Festival

The venue has been illuminated with vibrant lights, inviting attendees to embark on a new adventure of ice skating amidst the luminous glow.

An expanse of nearly 1,000 square meters of outdoor ice rink at Sinar Mas Plaza is accessible to ice and snow sports enthusiasts. Featuring 12 “Super Weekends” and more than 50 ice and snow themed events, it promises to provide fresh experiences, revitalizing traditional ice and snow activities.

In its sixth iteration, the Shanghai Magnolia International Ice and Snow Festival partners with brands from multiple countries to host a winter-themed trendy market, committed to preserving the unique ice and snow culture. It creatively establishes a winter social platform, promoting a new lifestyle for the winter season in Shanghai.

A standout feature of this ice and snow festival is the inventive incorporation of basketball elements into winter sports.

If you plan to attend:

Date: Until February 28

Location: Sinar Mas Plaza

Address: 501 Dongdaming Road 虹口区东大名路501号