Shining like a bright pearl in the oriental world with ever rising international position and influence, Shanghai is a place preferred by many for holding numerous varied events, including festivals, performances, competitions, exhibitions and conferences. If you can experience one such exciting event, it will greatly enhance your stay in the city.

Itching to try some? Here we give a brief introduction to the main events held in Shanghai. Go ahead and get more detailed information on the ones in which you are interested, such as features, activities and most importantly - the schedule. We wish you a colorful visit to Shanghai!

 Festivals     Performances     Competitions     Exhibitions     Conventions

 Festivals
You can expect both traditional and modern festivals with distinctive local features in Shanghai.

As it was developed from a small fishing village, Shanghai strived to keep many of its Chinese folk customs; thus there are several traditional festivals and activities still to be seen there such as New Year Bell Striking, Yuyuan Lantern Festival and Longhua Temple Fair.

Besides its modern achievements, Shanghai boasts attractive natural scenery and a special cultural foundation. Therefore a number of modern festivals are held here to showcase them; for example, Shanghai Peachblossom Festival, International Tea Culture Festival, International Flower Festival, Television Festival, International Arts Festival and Shanghai Tourism Festival.

Performances
Having the best cultural center in eastern China with a number of large quality stages and theaters, Shanghai is favored by many artists, bands, troupes and orchestras. If you are an art lover, the great many vocal concerts, musical concerts, operas, dance performances and dramas shown in Shanghai will be sure to satisfy your needs.

The most prominent and popular places which hold such various performances include:
 Shanghai Grand Theater               Shanghai Oriental Art Center
 Shanghai Concert Hall                   Shanghai Grand Stage
 Shanghai Circus World                  Yi Fu Theater
 Lyceum Theater                           Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center

If you want to see something special, the Portman Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Center Theater is highly recommended. And if you are fond of traditional Chinese opera, Yuyuan Theater near Yuyuan Garden should be your first choice.

Competitions
Shanghai's vigor is embodied by the impulsive development of its economy, and even more so by its multifarious competitions; especially sporting events.

Shanghai Stadium is the largest comprehensive site in the city for many national and international sports competitions. 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games were held there. In August 2008, the preliminary football matches of the Beijing Olympic Games will be held there, also.

Shanghai is a paradise for fans of Formula 1 racing. Please make sure before you go that your heart is ready for the great excitement brought by the F1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai Circuit.

Exhibitions
Shanghai will draw attention from all over the world when it holds the World Expo in 2010. Exhibition is an indispensable part of Shanghai. It is a very useful means to showcase the development and achievement in a certain field, offer a channel for communication and education, as well as pave the way for future trade potential.

Shanghai has quite a few important exhibition halls which mainly hold business exhibits. These include Shanghai New International Expo Center, Intex Shanghai, Shanghai Exhibition Center, East Asia Exhibition Center, Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center and Shanghaimart Expo.

Cultural, educational and recreational exhibits are also held frequently. Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Art Museum and Shanghai Science & Technology Museum are popular sites.

Conventions
Shanghai is always busy holding various meetings and activities especially some high-level political and economic conferences. Shanghai International Convention Center is the most outstanding and experienced in hosting such conferences; for example, Fortune Global Forum Shanghai Annual Meeting was successfully held there in 1999. The 9th Informal APEC Leadership Meeting in 2001 and the 6th Council of Heads of SCO Member States in 2006 were of importance and were also held there.