As the countdown to 2025 begins, Shanghai is ready to ring in the new year with an array of spectacular events, ranging from dazzling fireworks to traditional cultural experiences. Whether you’re seeking a festive atmosphere or a more tranquil way to welcome the new year, Shanghai offers something for everyone. Here’s your guide to the best New Year’s Eve activities in Shanghai in 2025.
1. Yu Garden Lantern Festival
Dates: December 15th to February 29th
Recommended for: ๐๐๐๐๐
Highlights:
Yu Garden (่ฑซๅญ), one of Shanghai’s oldest and most renowned traditional gardens, transforms into a colorful and enchanting lantern world during the Lantern Festival. The displays are inspired by the famous poem “Qingyu An ยท Yuanxi” by the Song Dynasty poet Xin Qiji. Visitors can stroll through vibrant lantern displays that recreate the bustling scenes of the ancient festival, and indulge in a variety of traditional snacks. This is the perfect place to experience the magic of traditional Chinese culture as you usher in the new year.
2. BFC Bund โ Harry Potter Theme Events (BFCๅคๆปฉๆซๅพยทๅๅฉๆณข็นไธป้ขๆดปๅจ)
Dates: December – January
Recommended for: ๐๐๐๐๐
Highlights:
Step into a magical world at the BFC Bund, where the iconic Bund ice rink is transformed into a Harry Potter-themed winter wonderland. The โHarry Potterโ pop-up bookstore will bring fans closer to the magical world, while the โMust-Eatโ Market returns with 16 of Shanghaiโs top dining spots offering delicious bites. The event is a fun and immersive experience that combines magical winter activities with some of the best food in the city. A perfect spot for families and Potterheads alike.
3. Jing’an Buddha Tower Bell Ringing Ceremony
Date: December 31st, 23:00 – January 1st, 01:00
Entrance: 155 Yuyuan Road
Recommended for: ๐๐๐
Highlights:
For those seeking a spiritual start to the new year, the Jing’an Buddha Tower offers a peaceful and meaningful experience. The temple hosts a special bell ringing ceremony where visitors can participate in ringing the bell at midnight, a tradition believed to bring blessings and good fortune for the year ahead. Itโs a serene way to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with a sense of tranquility and positivity.
4. Shanghai Disneyland New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show
Recommended for: ๐๐๐๐
Highlights:
Celebrate the arrival of 2025 with an unforgettable fireworks display at Shanghai Disneyland. Combining cutting-edge technology, stunning light shows, and traditional fireworks, this event creates a mesmerizing visual experience. The show incorporates fire, water, lasers, and projections, all set to a soundtrack of Disneyโs most beloved songs. This enchanting spectacle is sure to captivate visitors of all ages and is a great way to usher in the new year with a sense of wonder and joy.
5. Shanghai Tower New Yearโs Eve Viewing
Recommended for: ๐๐๐
Highlights:
If you’re looking for an elevated experience, head to the Shanghai Towerโs observation deck. As the second tallest building in the world, the views from here are unparalleled, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city. From this high vantage point, you can watch the cityโs dazzling lights and festivities below while reflecting on your wishes for the year ahead. Itโs a unique way to ring in the new year with style and awe.
6. Happy Valley New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Date: December 31st & January 1st, 20:30
Recommended for: ๐๐๐๐
Highlights:
Happy Valley theme park offers an exciting New Yearโs Eve fireworks show, featuring an array of spectacular pyrotechnics that light up the sky. Accompanied by joyful music and a water curtain show, this event creates a festive atmosphere that is perfect for families and friends. The celebration continues with a vibrant light and sound show, making it an unforgettable way to welcome 2025.
7. Haichang Ocean Park New Year Wishes
Date: December 31st, Evening
Recommended for: ๐๐๐๐
Highlights:
This year, Haichang Ocean Parkโs “Antarctic Bridge” will be transformed into a beautiful “Wish Lantern Bridge,” where visitors can write their New Yearโs wishes and release them under the night sky. The park will also feature a dazzling display of intangible cultural heritage, including a spectacular fireworks and drone show. Itโs a whimsical and heartwarming way to ring in the new year amidst the beauty of nature and festive celebrations.
8. Longhua Temple New Year Bell
Date: December 31st to January 1st
Recommended for: ๐๐๐
Highlights:
Longhua Temple is one of Shanghai’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples, and it hosts a special bell-ringing ceremony to mark the arrival of the new year. As the night falls, the Longhua Pagoda is illuminated with golden lights, providing a beautiful backdrop to the traditional ceremony. The ringing of the bell symbolizes the passing of the old year and the hopeful arrival of the new year, creating a sense of peace and spiritual renewal.
9. Oil Tank Art Center Sleepless Night
Date: December 31st, 18:00 – Late Night
Recommended for: ๐๐๐๐๐
Highlights:
Celebrate New Yearโs Eve with an artistic twist at the Shanghai Oil Tank Art Center. The event, themed around “Luck,” features a diverse range of art installations, live music performances, and interactive gaming experiences. Whether youโre an art lover or just looking to experience something unique, this โSleepless Nightโ promises to be a creative and dynamic way to usher in the new year with friends and fellow art enthusiasts.
10. Poly Theatre New Year’s Concert
Dates: December 31st to January 2nd
Recommended for: ๐๐๐
Highlights:
For those who prefer a more refined celebration, the Poly Theatre is hosting a series of New Yearโs concerts, including the “Guo Feng Ya Yun – Drum Music Ensemble” on December 31st, which focuses on the unique charm of traditional Chinese instruments. On January 2nd, the London City Philharmonic Orchestra will perform their renowned New Year concert, offering a perfect blend of classical music and festive spirit. These concerts are a great way to experience culture while celebrating the new year.
11. 2025 New Yearโs Eve Wine Party
Recommended for: ๐๐๐๐
Location: New World Radisson Blu Hotel
Highlights:
For a more glamorous New Yearโs Eve celebration, head to the New World Radisson Blu Hotel for an upscale wine party at the Charbon Sky Lounge. With stunning views of the Bund and a vibrant, elegant atmosphere, guests can enjoy delicious drinks, surprise gifts, and the latest tunes from top DJs. This is a fantastic way to ring in the new year in style and sophistication.