West Bund Week Kicks Off With Art, Design, and Waterfront Activations
As the centerpiece of Shanghai International Art Trade Week, West Bund Week transforms 11 kilometers of the Huangpu River waterfront–home to museums, galleries, and theaters–into a seven-day citywide festival.
The inaugural edition celebrates contemporary art, design, performances, public installations, and lifestyle experiences, combining professional exhibitions with district-wide cultural and commercial activations. Anchored by this year's West Bund Art & Design Fair, the week aims to make the waterfront a vibrant hub where creativity, commerce, and public life converge.
The fair spans five major venues, including the West Bund International Exhibition Center and Dome Art Center, featuring nearly 200 galleries and institutions from around the world. For the first time, select sections will extend two extra days to Nov. 18, giving collectors, curators, media, and visitors more time to explore exhibitions.
Beyond the fair, the week offers over 20 exhibitions, performances, and public programs, including new shows at West Bund Museum in collaboration with Centre Pompidou, three exhibitions at Long Museum (West Bund), a limited outdoor sculpture pre-show, and the Asian premiere of Australian Chunky Move's "Pendulum" at the West Bund Dream Center.
The festival also integrates lifestyle and commercial experiences. Over 40 restaurants, hotels, design stores, and public spaces host pop-ups, collaborative installations, and limited-edition products, from curated furniture displays to design-inspired culinary creations. Fair ticket holders receive special offers at nearly 30 participating businesses, encouraging visitors to explore the district beyond traditional gallery spaces.
To help visitors navigate the event, organizers provide an online map, four service points, and weekend shuttle buses linking key venues.
Looking ahead, West Bund Week has issued an open call for global creators in art, design, technology, and lifestyle to join the 2026 edition. Through westbundweek.com, international partners can participate in co-creation initiatives, helping position the Xuhui riverfront as a long-term hub for cultural exchange and innovation.
