March in Shanghai is packed with thrilling events, from the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix and citywide half marathons to world-class exhibitions and live performances.
Art lovers can explore ancient civilizations and contemporary works, while music fans can enjoy global tours from Kehlani, Sasha Alex Sloane and Kotoko.
Whether you're into sports, culture or concerts, there's plenty to experience.
Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix
From March 21 to 23, the Shanghai International Circuit will roar to life as the world's best drivers battle it out in the season's first sprint race at Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2025.
Think speed, strategy and wheel-to-wheel drama all packed into one weekend.
This year, the F1 Academy makes its Shanghai debut – featuring female drivers burning rubber and smashing stereotypes. Talk about a high-octane empowerment moment!
Date: March 21-23
Venue: Shanghai International Circuit
2025 Shanghai Women's Half Marathon
Lace up, ladies – Shanghai's most empowering (and pinkest) race is back!
The 2025 Shanghai Women's Half Marathon hits the streets on March 9, inviting 7,000 women to tackle 21 kilometers of determination, sweat, and scenic city views.
Not quite ready for the long haul? The 5k health run is perfect for those who prefer a fun jog with friends (and still make it to brunch on time).
Expect exclusive race swag – a stylish pink shirt, a commemorative drawstring bag, and a personalized bib – because looking good while running is half the battle. Plus, all finishers will score a shiny medal to flex their achievement long after the race.
Date: March 9, 7am
Venue: Zunyi Rd
More to expect
The Picture of Dorian Gray (musical)
Oscar Wilde's timeless tale of vanity, morality, and a suspiciously ageless portrait is taking center stage in Shanghai.
The musical adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray will run at the Shanghai Grand Theater from March 14 to March 23. This visually stunning and emotionally intense production has already earned a 9.3 rating from 3,000 audience reviews, proving that a story about eternal youth never gets old.
This China-South Korea co-production brings a fresh perspective to the classic novel, featuring newly designed stage sets, costumes and choreography that immerse the audience in a world of decadence and desire.
With a hauntingly beautiful score and breathtaking performances, the show transforms Wilde's masterpiece into a neo-romantic musical spectacle.
Date: March 14, 7:30 pm; March 15, 2pm/7:30 pm; March 20, 7:30 pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theatre
Tickets (yuan): 180/280/380/480/680/880
Backstreet Boys Nick Carter World Tour
Calling all Backstreet Boys fans – get ready for a night of pure throwback magic!
The iconic Nick Carter is bringing his "Who I Am" China Tour 2025 to Shanghai on March 2 at the Qiantan 31 Performing Arts Center.
With 20 classic hits lined up, a high-energy stage, and a crowd full of fans screaming their hearts out, this is your golden ticket back to the golden era of pop.
Expect a visually stunning stage production, a tear-jerking mass singalong session, and Nick's signature fan interactions – because this isn't just a concert, it's a full-fledged 2000s revival party!
Date: March 2, 7:30pm
Venue: New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center
Tickets (yuan): 380/580/780/980
Soprano Rita Racz Concert with Chinese Guest Artists
Prepare for an evening of breathtaking vocals as Hungarian soprano Rita Rácz brings her lyrical coloratura brilliance to Shanghai Concert Hall on March 23.
Known for her crystal-clear timbre and exceptional dramatic expression, she has been hailed as "the most expressive vocal pearl of the new generation."
Specializing in Mozart and Strauss operatic roles, Rácz captivates audiences with her effortless agility and emotional depth, making this concert a must for classical music lovers.
With a program featuring operatic gems and timeless classics, the concert promises a soul-stirring musical journey.
Date: March 23, 7:30pm
Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall
Tickets (yuan): 80/180/280/380/580/680
More to expect
Accidentally Wes Anderson
If you've ever watched The Grand Budapest Hotel and thought, Wow, I wish I could live in a Wes Anderson movie, here's your chance – sort of.
The exhibition "Accidentally Wes Anderson" at Fosun Art Center is a dreamy collection of real-life places that look straight out of the director's meticulously crafted world.
Inspired by an Instagram account of the same name, the exhibition curates over 300 perfectly symmetrical, pastel-colored, vintage-inspired photographs – all approved by Anderson himself.
Think neoclassical facades, whimsical train stations, candy-colored storefronts, and more basically, every design nerd's fantasy.
Date: Until March 16
Venue: Fosun Foundation
Tickets (yuan): 100
Masterpieces of the Pola Museum of Art: From Impressionism to Contemporary Art
The "Impression·Party: Masterpieces from the Pola Museum of Art" is bringing an artistic celebration to Shanghai Museum East from January 22 to April 21.
This isn't just any exhibition – it's a visual feast featuring 69 masterpieces from 36 legendary artists, including Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso.
And because every great party needs a surprise guest, the show also features works by contemporary visionaries Yayoi Kusama and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Tracing Impressionism's vibrant journey from its origins to modern interpretations, this showcase brings the brushstrokes of history straight to Shanghai in the largest overseas Pola Museum exhibition to date.
Designed as an immersive experience, the exhibition space mirrors the fluidity and movement of Impressionist art, blending light, color, and spatial design for a transition between artistic periods.
Date: Until April 21
Venue: Shanghai Museum East
Tickets (yuan): 40/80
More to expect
Horizon of Khufu
Step into ancient Egypt without ever leaving Shanghai!
The "Horizon of Khufu: The Vanished Pharaoh" exhibition is making its Asia debut after a wildly successful run in Paris, and it's here to transport you 4,500 years back in time – all in just 45 minutes!
Using cutting-edge VR technology and a full-scale 1:1 digital reconstruction, this jaw-dropping experience lets you explore the Great Pyramid of Khufu like never before.
Walk through its hidden chambers, scale its summit for a breathtaking view of the Giza Plateau, and even cruise down the Nile on a solar boat. No need for a time machine – just grab a VR headset, follow your virtual guide, and unlock the mysteries of the pharaohs!
Date: Until Aug 17
Venue: No 201 People's Avenue
Tickets (yuan): On-site: 198, Discounted: 238, Designated day: 308, Full-price: 346
Life Chronicles
Dinosaurs, ancient oceans and the dawn of life – all in 45 minutes!
"Life Chronicles" is an all-new VR adventure that takes you on a jaw-dropping journey through Earth's history, landing at Xingye Taikoo Hui on April 26.
Developed with 230 years of expertise from the French National Museum of Natural History, this experience lets you roam with dinosaurs, witness evolution unfold, and explore eight incredible prehistoric eras.
Just put on a VR headset, step into a massive 600-square-meter interactive space, and prepare to travel millions of years back in time – no time machine required!
Date: Until Oct 7
Venue: No 789 West Nanjing Road
Tickets (yuan): Special pass: 198, Weekday single: 238, Single pass: 268, Weekday double: 428, Double pass: 480, Weekday three-person: 598, Three-person pass: 698
More to expect
Daniel Padim 2025 Illuminated Journey
Guitar lovers, this one's for you!
Brazilian fingerstyle legend Daniel Padim is making his highly anticipated return to China with his 2025 "Where the Heart Leads" Tour – his third time captivating audiences across the country.
Known for his breathtaking technique and deeply emotional compositions, Daniel's music seamlessly blends Brazilian rhythms, jazz influences, and modern fingerstyle mastery.
This time, he's bringing a mix of beloved classics and fresh new pieces, creating a musical journey straight from the heart.
Date: March 16, 5pm
Venue: ChairClub
Tickets (yuan): 220/280/380
Anthem Lights Icon Tour
Imagine a boy band where every member is a lead singer–sounds too good to be true?
Meet Anthem Lights, the Nashville-based vocal powerhouse known for their heavenly harmonies and jaw-dropping mashups.
From One Direction and Justin Bieber to The Greatest Showman and Hamilton, these guys have reimagined some of the biggest hits in music, earning millions of fans worldwide.
Their Best of 2012 medley alone has racked up over 9 million saves on streaming platforms! But they're not just about covers–Anthem Lights' original songs, like the fan-favorite Love You Like the Movies, showcase their incredible songwriting skills and cinematic storytelling.
Now, for the first time ever, Anthem Lights is bringing their "Icon Tour" to China! On March 21, they'll hit the stage at MAO Livehouse Shanghai, armed with nothing but their angelic vocals, an acoustic guitar, and a setlist full of nostalgia and magic.
Date: March 21, 7:30pm
Venue: MAO Livehouse
Tickets (yuan): 320/680
Okui Masami Live Tour
Get ready, anisong fans!
Masami Okui, one of Japan's most legendary anime song vocalists, is bringing her 2025 solo tour to Shanghai.
As a singer, songwriter, and composer, Masami has left her mark on countless iconic anime, tokusatsu and game series, lending her powerful voice to Revolutionary Girl Utena, Slayers, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Tekkaman Blade and Langrisser, to name just a few.
Whether you've grown up with her unforgettable songs or are just discovering her legendary discography, this concert promises to be a high-energy celebration of anime music history!
Date: March 16, 6pm
Venue: MAO Livehouse
Tickets (yuan): 480/780/980
More to expect
