Shanghai Summer to showcase four months of events and family experiences - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Shanghai will launch the 2026 Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season in July, offering four months of events designed to attract both residents and international visitors. Running through October, the programme will cover the summer holidays, the Mid-Autumn Festival and China's National Day holiday under the theme "Shanghai Summer, Join the Family Fun".

The citywide initiative brings together cultural attractions, international sporting events, exhibitions, music festivals and family-oriented activities. Organisers have structured the programme around the letters of the word "SUMMER", highlighting six themed areas that reflect Shanghai's diverse tourism and leisure offer.

International sports take centre stage

The Sports programme features a series of major international events. Among the highlights is the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Asia's only ATP Masters 1000 tournament, which will welcome many of the world's leading tennis players. Motorsport fans can also look forward to the return of the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) Shanghai.

Discovering Shanghai from new perspectives

The Urban section focuses on experiences that encourage visitors to explore the city in different ways. Highlights include an expanded Shanghai International Light Festival and the 2027 Spring/Summer Shanghai Fashion Week, which will introduce the concept of transforming the city into a runway.

Museums showcase world cultures

Culture plays a central role in this year's programme. One of the headline exhibitions will be On Top of the World Tree: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas at the Shanghai Museum, presenting the history of ancient Central and South American civilisations.

To complement the exhibition, the museum will introduce themed visitor packages linking artefacts, people, animals, plants and food, while combined tickets with attractions such as Shanghai Zoo and the World Expo Culture Park will also be available.

Music and entertainment across the city

The Music programme centres on live performances throughout the summer. The 17th Music in the Summer Air festival will bring leading international orchestras to Shanghai, with concerts taking place not only in traditional venues but also in shopping districts as part of a citywide "symphony" initiative. Special concert packages inspired by composer Felix Mendelssohn will combine performance tickets with exclusive cultural merchandise.

The Entertainment programme features attractions for visitors of all ages. Shanghai Disney Resort will celebrate its tenth anniversary with special summer activities, while the Shanghai Summer International Gaming and Animation Month and Redland 2.0 will add further interactive experiences.

Family-friendly experiences complete the programme

The Relax section focuses on slower-paced activities and family leisure. Highlights include the 28th Pet Fair Asia and the Shanghai Tourism Festival Summer Tourism Season, which will offer a wide range of cultural, tourism and lifestyle experiences across the city.

Image Credit: © english.shanghai.gov.cn