Light festival turns districts into night attractions

The second Shanghai International Light Festival has kicked off throughout the city, featuring district-level displays that will continue during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday.

With riverside drone shows and historic street projections, the events encourage both residents and visitors to experience the beauty of Shanghai's nights at no cost.

Hongkou: Old Street Meets Modern Light

Hongkou opened its shows on September 28 at the North Square of the Haipai Culture Center. The theme, "Eco Light: Coexistence for the Future," combines art with low-carbon living.

Sichuan Road N., one of Shanghai's oldest commercial streets, is lit with installations that highlight its history. Ba Jin Library hosts projection shows, while Jincha 8 features the "Dunhuang Wonderland Carnival." Displays also stretch to Suzhou Creek, Raffles City, and Hongkou Football Stadium.

The Hongkou program runs until October 12.

If you go:

Main site: Haipai Culture Center (Metro Line 10, Sichuan Road N. Station).

Best time: After 7pm for light projections.

Nearby stops: North Bund for riverside shows; Raffles City the Bund mall for food and shopping

Yangpu: Cyberpunk Nights on the River

Yangpu District launched its festival on September 29 at Fuxing Island Chuantai Park. The theme, "Digital Yangpu, Let's YOUNG," runs through October 7 across the riverside, Wujiaochang, and other key spots.

The highlight is the 3D mapping show Century of Light, which projects onto a 120-ton shipyard crane built in 1973. It tells Yangpu's story from industrial heritage to a digital future. Students also contributed landmark-inspired art installations.

A special drone show, Quantum City · Future of Fuxing, will take place at 8pm on September 30. Other sites include Wujiaochang, Jiangwan Stadium, and Huangxing Park, where "light + anime" collaborations create interactive experiences.

If you go:

Main site: Fuxing Island Chuantai Park (Metro Line 12, Fuxing Island Station).

Extra tip: Visit Wujiaochang after dark for themed installations tied to anime culture. Food and shopping in the area stay open late.

Baoshan: Lights along the Yangtze

Baoshan's riverside show began on September 26 and runs until October 12 with the theme "Rising Tide at Wusongkou, Shining Riverside." The nightly shows (7-10pm) transform the Yangtze River waterfront into a light corridor.

Key locations include the Wusongkou cruise terminal, the Sea World mall and Changtan Music Hall.

A drone and fireworks show will light up the Wusongkou terminal on September 30 and October 1.

From September 30 to October 7, Nanda Central Park hosts a sci-fi light and music show with lasers and water projections.

Baoshan also links with the Golden Autumn Shopping Festival, Changtan Art Festival, and riverside beer events during the National Day holiday. The district will host the F1H2O World Championship during the same period.

If you go:

Main site: Zero Point Square (1 Baoyang Road)

Special events: Drone and fireworks shows at Wusongkou International Cruise Liner Terminal on September 30 and October 1, 8pm.

Tips: Download the official "Baoshan Light Festival Map" from WeChat account 宝山绿容 for routes and schedules. Expect larger crowds during October 1and 2 at the Wusongkou terminal.

Putuo: A Park of Light and Play

Putuo District's festival is at Haina Park under the theme "Future in Digital Light." The park offers four themed areas with laser shows, interactive tunnels, and art installations.

Beyond the park, seven malls, including Global Harbor, Changfeng Joy City, and Tian An 1,000 Trees, host rooftop lights, dessert fairs, and themed photo zones.

The Putuo show run until October 5.

If you go:

Main site: Haina Park (Metro Line 14, Zhongning Road Station, or Metro Line 11, Fengqiao Road Station).

Tips: Pick up a free light festival map at the park entrance. Good for families, with installations that children can play with.

Other stops: Global Harbor mall is several metro stops away and hosts extended light displays until late evening.