Ever dreamed of mastering pottery, speaking fluent Spanish, or becoming a tai chi pro – by night?

Well, dust off those notebooks and free up your evenings because the Shanghai Citizen Art Night School and the Weekend Aesthetic Classroom are rolling out their spring classes, and this year's lineup is more exciting than ever with over 1,650 courses, 41 campuses and 496 teaching spots.

Registration opens soon, and once it does, spots will disappear faster than free snacks at an office meeting.

To grab yours, simply search "上海市民艺术夜校" (Shanghai Citizen Art Night School) on WeChat and explore the full course list. Don't wait too long – sign up before someone else takes your seat!

What's New

Forty-one campuses across the city

Over 4,000 courses spanning everything from classical art to digital creativity

Around 40,000 eager learners ready to become the next Picasso, Yo-Yo Ma, or Gordon Ramsay (yes, there are culinary arts, too)

First-ever "Middle-aged & Young Senior" classes for those aged between 56 and 70 years – because creativity knows no age limit

Firsts and Freshness

• First-ever Senior Learners' Program

For those too young for traditional senior colleges but too old for the 18-55 age group, there's now a perfect middle ground – voice training, dance, traditional crafts, wellness, and even personal styling.

• First time outside Shanghai

The Night School is expanding its artistic empire beyond city borders. The first-ever out-of-town branch opens in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, bringing with it local gems like Bamboo Carving and Sandpaper Painting. Who knew sandpaper could be this chic?

• First-ever Professional Certification Courses

Level up your skills with career-boosting certifications. From flower arrangement and coffee artistry to organizing and decluttering (yes, Marie Kondo-style), even Spanish language proficiency – these courses are not just hobbies; they're career moves.

Where's Your Nearest Class

This spring, night schools are popping up at universities, shopping malls, cultural hubs and even sports centers. Whether you want to paint, dance, fight, or sip wine like a connoisseur, there's a class near you.

Universities Open Their Doors

More universities are joining the night school bandwagon, giving you access to top-tier professors and unique courses – without the stress of exams.

Shanghai University – Learn Chinese cultural heritage from top scholars or master mobile photography and video editing to create professional-quality content on your phone.

Shanghai Ocean University – Offers sketching, calligraphy, and smartphone photography, perfect for those who love capturing details.

Sanda University – Dive into seal engraving, bilingual Chinese calligraphy, and landscape painting to refine your artistic skills.

Shanghai University of Sport – Take Tai Chi with a national champion or Zumba with an internationally certified instructor for a creative way to stay active.

Shopping Malls Turn Into Classrooms

Why just shop when you can learn something new while you're there?

IBP International Business Park – Join courses on fashion accessories design and creative brooch making.

Aegean Place – Take a contemporary oil painting class.

Taoyuan π Mall – Train in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with expert coaches from Thailand and Brazil, respectively.

Fitness and Martial Arts for Active Learners

If sitting in a classroom isn't your thing, move while you learn.

Suzhou Creek Historic Park The X Tower – Learn traditional Tai Chi from a martial arts master.

Hongqiao · Champion's Club – Take rock climbing, squash, or high-energy boxing lessons in a trendy factory-turned-sports complex.

Weekend Aesthetic Classes

Forget the usual weekend routine – this spring, family time is getting an upgrade. No more "Mom, I'm bored" complaints, because now parents and kids can dive into creativity together, from painting and pottery to sci-fi writing and artificial intelligence-powered filmmaking.

The classes now cover all the city's 16 districts with 50 locations and 142 courses (including 62 new additions).

For those who want to explore traditional culture, The Beauty of Plants in the 24 Solar Terms lets young learners press leaves and petals into art while soaking up some ancient wisdom.

At Blue and White Porcelain Painting class, families can create their own porcelain masterpieces under the guidance of heritage artisans.

For the tech-savvy crowd, AI Video Production turns ideas into digital creations, while Children's Sci-Fi Writing merges futuristic storytelling with scientific wonder.

And for families looking to bond over something creative, new parent-child classes like Chinese Painting and Floral Art allow parents and kids to collaborate on artistic projects, turning weekends into meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

Mark Your Calendar

March 3: Full course list release

March 10, 10am: Night School enrollment opens (prepare to fight for your favorite classes)

March 11, 10am: Weekend Aesthetic Class sign-ups open

April: Classes begin – time to unleash your inner artist