Shanghai Event Guide for International Travelers (May – June 2025)

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Discover Shanghai’s vibrant cultural scene with this curated list of exhibitions, markets, and pop-up events tailored for international visitors. From immersive art installations to lively themed markets, here’s your ultimate guide to experiencing the city’s creative energy this season!

Cultural & Artistic Exhibitions

1.Ted Pim: Loinnir Art Exhibition

Irish artist Ted Pim’s surreal light installations blending Gaelic symbolism with classical motifs.

  • Date : Until May 24, 2025

  • Location : Almine Rech Gallery (Huangpu District)

  • Ticket : Free entry

2.On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt

Asia’s largest exhibition of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, featuring 788 rare relics (95%首次在亚洲展出). Explore mummies, hieroglyphics, and treasures from the Saqqara site.

  • Date : Until August 17, 2025

  • Location : Shanghai Museum (No. 201 People’s Avenue, Huangpu)

  • Ticket : Required (purchase via Meituan/Dianping)

3.China Dinosaur Grand Expo

Over 150 dinosaur fossils and interactive exhibits on evolutionary science. Perfect for families!

  • Date : May 31 – November 30, 2025

  • Location : Shanghai Natural History Museum (No. 510 West Beijing Road, Jing’an)

  • Ticket : Included in museum admission (¥60).

4.“Design Shanghai” 2025

Asia’s premier design event showcasing 600+ global brands in furniture, lighting, and smart home tech. Featured highlights include Vitra’s new Anagram sofa and LALIQUE’s crystal art.

  • Date : June 4 – 7, 2025

  • Location : Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center

  • Ticket : Pre-registration required (free for trade professionals; ¥150 for public)

5.Reshaping Landscapes: Pompidou Center Collection (IV)

Explore the relationship between humanity and nature through masterpieces from the Pompidou’s collection, including works by Picasso and Kandinsky.

  • Date : Until October 18, 2026

  • Location : West Bund Museum (Xuhui District)

  • Ticket : ¥120 (includes museum entry) 

Festivals & Markets

1.Shanghai Lavender Festival

Wander through 70,000 lavender plants, enjoy live music, gourmet food markets, and themed camping. Partner attractions include Disneytown and Bicester Village.

  • Date : May 17 – June 2, 2025

  • Location : Shanghai Lavender Park, Pudong

  • Ticket : ¥30 (online platforms like Ctrip)

2.Windchasing Garden at Shanghai International Flower Show

Award-winning ecological garden by Tongji University students. Interactive zones explore wind’s role in nature, featuring whimsical installations like “Wind Whispers in the Flower Court.”

  • Date : Until May 22, 2025

  • Location : Fengxian District 

  • Ticket : Free

3.Dazzling Jinxi: Yuyuan Jewelry & Fashion Fair

A blend of traditional Chinese jewelry and modern fashion, featuring jade carvings, pearl designs, and interactive goldsmith workshops.

  • Date : May 25 – June 15, 2025

  • Location : Yuyuan Garden (Huangpu District)

  • Ticket : Free entry (exclusive purchases require registration) 

4.Xujiahui Weekend Bazaar

Local artisans, vintage collectibles, and street food. Highlights include 
55% off group purchase coupon and live music stages.

  • Date : Every Saturday in June 2025

  • Location : Xujiahui Commercial Circle (Xuhui District)

  • Ticket : Free entry

Pop-Ups & Special Events

1.Formula E Shanghai E-Prix

Thrilling electric car races + tech exhibitions on sustainable mobility.

  • Date : May 31 – June 1, 2025

  • Location : Shanghai International Circuit

  • Ticket : From ¥388  

2.Xuhui Riverside Pop-Ups

Rotating art installations and limited-edition merchandise drops. Recent themes include giant cartoon sculptures and interactive light shows.

  • Date : Ongoing through June

  • Location : West Bund, Xuhui District

  • Ticket : Free (some installations may charge for photo zones)

3.TCT Asia 2025 (3D Printing Expo)

Cutting-edge 3D printing tech demonstrations and industry seminars.

  • Date : May 17–19, 2025

  • Location : Shanghai New International Expo Centre

  • Ticket : Free registration required (官网提前预约) 

4.Environmental π Pop-Up (Huaihai Road)

Eco-friendly fashion and zero-waste lifestyle products, including upcycled clothing and biodegradable packaging workshops.

  • Date : June 1–15, 2025

  • Location : Huaihai Road (Huangpu District)

  • Ticket : Free entry .

5.“King’s Blessing” Themed Pop-Up

Inspired by the mobile game Honor of Kings, this pop-up features cosplay zones, limited-edition merch, and AR gaming experiences.

  • Date : May 20 – June 10, 2025

  • Location : TX淮海 & 百联ZX创趣场
  • Ticket : Free entry (premium AR experiences ¥50)

Pro Tips

Language Support : Major venues offer bilingual signage and staff assistance. For translation help, use apps like WeChat Translate.

Transport : Metro lines 2 (The Bund) and 7 (West Bund) cover most event locations.

Booking : Pre-book tickets for popular events (e.g., Formula E, Lavender Festival) to avoid sold-out risks.

From the fragrant lavender fields of Pudong to the roaring engines of Formula E, Shanghai in May and June is a playground of culture and innovation. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a tech enthusiast, this city has a story to tell. Don’t just visit Shanghai—experience it!


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