In Shanghai and throughout China, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Summer Games are first on the minds of many. Shanghai hosts some preliminary football (soccer) games and expects to draw large crowds for the matches. For further information on Olympic events in Shanghai, visit the Web site http://en.beijing2008.cn for updated events and information.
In Shanghai, few festivities, performances and exhibitions are announced very far in advance. The best way to keep abreast of what's happening is to check the free city magazines, SH (weekly) and That's Shanghai, City Weekend and Shanghai Talk (all monthly). Many world-class musicians and artists perform in Shanghai, and the city regularly hosts international art festivals that draw native and foreign participants.
To call any of the numbers listed in this calendar from outside China, you must first dial your country's international access code, then China's country code, 86, followed by Shanghai's city code, 021.
Information in this calendar is subject to change and should be confirmed.
August, 2008
1 Aug-Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Public holiday.
2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 Aug—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
6-23 Aug—Olympics Soccer. Some of the Olympic football (American soccer) preliminaries are held at Shanghai Stadium. Tickets must be purchased through the National Olympic Committee of your country of residence. Many countries have designated an official ticketing agency for this purpose. For further information about particular sports venues and a detailed schedule of events, visit http://en.beijing2008.cn.
15 Aug—Chung Yuan Festival. Also known as the Hungry Ghosts Festival, this occasion honors the spirits of the dead with offerings and prayers at Buddhist and Taoist temples.
Early-Late August—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December 2009
Early-Late August—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November 2009
September, 2008
6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Sep—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
10-14 Sep—Shanghai Art Fair. Galleries from around the world participate in Shanghai's landmark event of cultural exchange. Shanghai Mart, 99, Xingyi Road. For information, call 6225-4977. http://www.sartfair.com.
14 Sep—Mid-Autumn Festival. Also called the Moon Festival, this colorful event celebrates the harvest moon and honors the spirits of 14th-century Han rebels who fought against the Yuan dynasty regime. It's a time of family togetherness, and everyone eats moon cakes (a cookielike sweet).
Late September—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Continues through late April 2009
Throughout September—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December 2009
Throughout September—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November 2009
October, 2008
1, 2 Oct-National Day. Two-day public holiday.
4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Oct—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
7 Oct—Chun Yeung Festival. A day of family remembrance and togetherness. Many families visit the graves of their ancestors and have picnics in the hills.
Throughout October—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Continues through late April 2009
Throughout October—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December 2009
Throughout October—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November 2009
November, 2008
1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 Nov—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
9-16 Nov—Tennis. Top players on the ATP tour compete for US$4,450,000 in the Tennis Masters Cup. Qi Zhong Stadium. For information, call 6384-6601. http://www.atptennis.com or http://www.masters-cup.com.
Throughout November—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December 2009
Throughout November—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Continues through late April 2009
Throughout November—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November 2009
December, 2008
6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Dec—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
Throughout December—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November 2009
Throughout December—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Continues through late April 2009
Throughout December—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December 2009
January, 2009
1 Jan-New Year's Day. Public holiday.
3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 Jan—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
26 Jan—Chinese New Year. Public holiday.
Throughout January—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November
Throughout January—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December
Throughout January—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Continues through late April
February, 2009
1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 Feb—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
9 Feb—Lantern Festival. Lanterns of bamboo, silk and paper light up the city during this festival.
Throughout February—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Continues through late April
Throughout February—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December
Throughout February—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November
March, 2009
1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 Mar—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
8 Mar-International Women's Working Day. Public holiday.
Throughout March—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December
Throughout March—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Continues through late April
Throughout March—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November
April, 2009
4 Apr—Qingming Festival. Ancestors are honored during this festival. Graves of loved ones are cleaned, and offerings of special foods and flowers are made.
4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Apr—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
30 Apr—Labor Day. Two-day public holiday. Continues through 1 May
Mid April—Golf. Top Asian PGA-tour golfers compete for a purse of US$1,300,000. Shanghai Silport Golf Club, Dian Shan Lake, Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. For information, call 852-2525-9328. http://www.volvochinaopen.com.
Throughout April—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November
Throughout April—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December
Throughout April—Basketball. The Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks play home games at Luwan Stadium, 128 Jiaozhabang Lu. For information, call 6427-8673. http://www.asia-basket.com. Concludes late April
May, 2009
1 May—Labor Day. Two-day public holiday. Final day
2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 May—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
4 May-Youth Day. Public holiday.
28 May—Dragon Boat Festival. A major Chinese festival, marked by lively dragon-boat races and the eating of tzungtzu, rice dumplings stuffed with bean paste or ham.
Throughout May—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December
Throughout May—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November
June, 2009
1 Jun-Children's Day. Public holiday.
6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Jun—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
Mid-Late June—Shanghai International Film Festival. More than 150 international films are screened at one of China's biggest cinematic events. Headquarters is the Shanghai Film Art Center, but various venues are used. For information, call 6253-7115. http://www.siff.com.
Throughout June—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December
Throughout June—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November
July, 2009
1 Jul-Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party. Public holiday.
4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Jul—Opera. Traditional Beijing opera is presented most weekends at the Yifu Theater, 701 Fuzhou Road. For information, call 6322-5294 or 6322-5075.
Throughout July—Opera. Kunju Opera, an esoteric form of opera dating from the Tang dynasty, is performed most weekends at Sanshan Guild Hall, 1551 Zhong Shan Nan Road. For information, call 6437-7756 or 6433-1935. Continues through late November
Throughout July—Performance. The Shanghai Grand Theatre is home to the Shanghai Ballet and the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. It presents a year-round program of concerts, ballets, operas, musicals and other performances. 300 Renmin Dadao. For information and tickets, call 6372-8701 or 6372-8702. http://www.shgtheatre.com. Continues through late December