Shanghai's nighttime economy blossoms

As China's leading city for the nighttime economy, Shanghai is presenting a vibrant and diverse nightlife, weaving together every scene and every person into a "full-spectrum nightlife ecosystem", according to industry experts.

Since June, nighttime consumption in the city has surpassed 88 billion yuan ($12.26 billion). The 2025 China Night Economy Vitality Index Report reaffirmed the city's status as the nation's leader in nighttime economic activity.

The city offers a wide variety of nighttime experiences. The 2025 Shanghai Night Festival, running from June through September, has energized the city with 130 themed summer night events, including sports nights, an e-sports month, and a craft beer festival.

The Nanchang Road area has the highest concentration of bars in Shanghai, with one roughly every 10 meters. This summer, the number of bars grew nearly 20 percent from the same period last year, reaching 142.

Across China, many cities showcase unique cultural flavors in their nighttime economy. Chengdu's nightlife is full of "market vibes", Xi'an's evenings are steeped in "Tang Dynasty culture", and Hangzhou paints the night with the heritage of West Lake.

"Unlike Chengdu or Xi'an, where a single cultural symbol defines the night," says Wang Yang, president and CEO of Yinfinity, "Shanghai's nightlife is a kaleidoscope of experiences."

To further support the city's nighttime economy, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce has implemented a series of measures:

• Increasing street performances at night
• Simplifying approval procedures for nighttime events
• Encouraging malls, streets, and green spaces to attract visitors after sports matches
• Launching tailored nighttime tour bus routes
• Allowing street vendors and supporting themed markets
• Enhancing nighttime lighting
• Improving parking facilities for night visitors

Last but not least, here are some must-see routes and events at night:

1. Xintiandi – Taiping Lake area

Highlights:

Nightly Music (Until Aug 29): Jazz, string quartets, and samba bands perform nightly in Shikumen lanes, on terraces, and in restaurants, turning Xintiandi into a live music hub.

German Riesling Festival (Aug 22-24): Over 80 German Rieslings will be featured at the "Wines of Germany: Summer of Riesling 2025" festival in the Xintiandi Style I atrium.

Yunnan Themed Market: A market with over 60 stalls will offer authentic Yunnan snacks and showcase intangible cultural heritage crafts from the province.

Art to Gather Festival: This festival presents immersive performances fusing light, sound, dance, and live music by domestic and international orchestras, enhanced by projection mapping.

Panoramic Dome Opening (Late Sept): A new 6,500-sqm panoramic dome opens at the CPIC Xintiandi Commercial Center, featuring global eateries, lounges, and an avant-garde theater to elevate nightlife.

2. Gate M West Bund Dream Center

Highlights:

Weekend Riverside Nights (Fri-Sun): Over 30 riverside merchants (like Bloomarket, On the Road Store) stay open until midnight, offering late-night snacks and live music for a relaxed dockside atmosphere.

Waterfront Music Festival (Aug 15-24): An 800-meter riverbank stretch features 3 pop-up stages hosting 10 consecutive nights of live music, ranging from JZ Club jazz legends to rising indie bands.

Light Festival Main Venue: Gate M West Bund Dream Center serves as the main venue for the Shanghai International Light Festival, featuring spectacular drone shows, projection mapping, and interactive installations blending art, technology, and public space.

Pop-Up Sports & Activities: Debuts include a Tour de France-themed pop-up with Specialized (viewing lounge & workshop), an Adidas street basketball showdown, and the Yangtze River Delta Sports Festival featuring nighttime darts.

3. Wujiang Road – Feng Sheng Li area

Highlights:

Feng Sheng Li Late Nights: Specialty shops open until midnight for late-night shopping and dining.

HKRI Taikoo Hui Weekend Bazaar: Curated bazaar with rooftop theater, pop-up restaurants, and VR pods; expanded parking available.

Jing’an Nightverse Pass (Until Aug 31): Free boarding pass offering discounts at about 1,000 venues (restaurants, stores, hotels).

Themed Night Activities, including curated night-walk routes linking theaters, galleries, and museums, and pop-up fitness sessions (yoga/aerobics) for cultural and active visitors.

4. Yuyuan Garden

Highlights:

Anime in Ancient Gardens (July 15 - Aug 29): Yuyuan Garden Malls collaborates with Bilibili to exhibit top Chinese anime titles (like Heaven Official's Blessing) within its historic architecture, drawing 150,000 visitors on opening night.

Illuminated Garden Tour (Aug 8): A one-night-only lantern-lit experience at Yuyuan Garden features immersive light displays and traditional pavilions for a magical moonlit walk.

Heritage Food Month: At nearby Hefeng Lou, an intangible cultural heritage food festival showcases time-honored Chinese delicacies, offering a taste of traditional refined flavors.

5. Daxue Road area

Highlights:

The "KIC Nightlife Festival" includes discounted drinks, unlimited for 69 yuan ($9.62) at participating venues throughout the block, and extended hours until 2 am.

Collaborates with events such as the Shanghai International Youth Football Tournament, social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, and ride-hailing platform Didi.

After 11 pm, any purchase includes a 3 hour free parking voucher.

Source: shanghai.gov.cn & Jiefang daily