Waterfront Spring Festival Turns Riverside Into Living Cultural Stage

Drums echo across the river, lanterns glow against the night sky, and the first signs of the Chinese New Year begin to ripple along Shanghai's waterfront. As winter gives way to celebration, GATE M West Bund Dream Center invites the city to welcome the new year with a festive season where tradition, performance and contemporary urban life meet by the water.

As the Chinese New Year approaches, the West Bund Dream Center recently unveiled its signature seasonal program, Waterfront Spring Festival. Spanning nearly two months, the celebration turns the riverside into a living cultural stage, where classic Chinese New Year rituals are reimagined through installations, performances and interactive public experiences.

The festival brings Chinese opera and folk arts out of theaters and into open urban spaces. Throughout the season, visitors can encounter opera excerpts, shadow puppetry, dragon and lion dances, folk music and roaming performances that unfold across plazas and promenades, making tradition something to encounter up close rather than observe from afar.

Large-scale installations inspired by operatic aesthetics and seasonal symbolism reshape the landscape from day to night. The northern zone draws on the ornate forms of traditional opera headwear, while the southern zone weaves together oil-paper umbrellas, lighting art and festive décor, creating a layered visual experience that shifts with the light and movement of the river.

Markets add warmth and texture to the celebration. A new year goods market gathers regional flavors and lifestyle brands, while an intangible cultural heritage market highlights traditional crafts such as bamboo weaving and classical rubbing techniques. Visitors are encouraged to slow down, converse with artisans and participate in hands-on workshops that connect craftsmanship with contemporary life.

Across the center, brand collaborations extend the festive atmosphere through CNY-themed services, dining experiences and limited offerings. For international visitors, selected stores provide instant tax-refund services, reinforcing the waterfront's role as a welcoming, globally minded destination during China's most important holiday season.

Date: Through March 4

Venue: GATE M West Bund Dream Center

西岸梦中心

Address: 2266 Longteng Ave

龙腾大道2266号