56 Amazing Things To Do in April
Spring is in full swing, which means there are more ways than ever to enjoy Shanghai. Here’s our rundown of all the awesome things you can do during the rest of April, and the best part: more than half of them are free!
Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, A Beautiful Elsewhere
Time: 25 April – 29 July
Location: 5-7/F, Power Station of Art
Address:200 Huayuangang Lu
Price: RMB 60 (Entrance fees package with PSA Exhibition at RMB 80)
"Cartier Contemporary Art Foundation: The Unfamiliar Landscape" is the first major exhibition of the French Cartier Contemporary Art Foundation in China. This exhibition will showcase a collection of iconic works of art collected by the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, including Raymond Debaton, Cai Guoqiang, Huang Yongfu, Moebius, Moriyama Avenue, and Sherry Samba.
Christian Boltanski: Storage Memory Exhibition
Time: 25 April – 8 July
Location: 1-2/F, Power Station of Art
Address:200 Huayuangang Lu
Price: RMB 60 (Entrance fees package with PSA Exhibition at RMB 80)
French artist Christian Boltansky will be putting up his first large-scale solo exhibition in China titled Storage Memory. An important World War II artist, the exhibition showcases recordings, clips and other items that tell vivid war stories.
12 – 18th Century English Drawing
Time: 27 April – 5 August
Location: 2nd Hall, Shanghai Museum
Address:201 Renmin Avenue
Price: Free
In collaboration with the Shanghai Museum, the Tate Britain Museum of Fine Arts has carefully selected more than 70 works from famous 18 – 19th Century landscape artists, including Gainsborough, Turner and Constable. The exhibition will also include 20th Century surrealist and modern artworks, putting the best of 18 – 20th Century British landscape artwork on full display.
Jamie Hayon: Funtastico Exhibition
Time: 10 April – 1 June
Location: Modern Art Museum
Address:4700 Binjiang Avenue
Price: RMB 70 – 240
Making Shanghai the first stop of his Asia tour, Yami Hein will be providing a brand new exhibition experience to visitors, with each piece offering up a wonderful story to tell.
2018 John Moores Painting Priza (China)
Time: 10 April – 15 June
Location: Minsheng Art Museum
Address:399 Pocheng Road
Price: RMB 30
The largest John Moores Painting Priza to date, the exhibition is divided into two parts: China and the United Kingdom. With a total of 116 paintings on display, the Chinese portion covers 103 finalists of the competition, and the British portion will put up 13 artworks selected by Michael Simpson.
Generation Continuum: 57th International Art Exhibition
Time: 31 March – 3 June
Location: Ming Contemporary Art Museum (McaM)
Address:436 Yonghe Dong Lu, near Pingxingguan Lu
Price: RMB 40
This exhibition features a wide variety of works such as videos, paintings, sculptures, installations, embroidery, shadows, photography, and even multimedia theater displays. Keeping to the theme of eternal life in art, the exhibition brings to light the unending Chinese artistic spirit.
Zaha Hadid: Design Crossover
Time: 23 March – 22 July
Location: Hao Art Gallery, Design Centre, No. 1
Address: 2277 Zhuchongzi Road
Price: RMB 50
The first exhibition in China by architect Zaha Hadid, the exhibition will display Hadid’s unique design style and her influence in the architecture community. The exhibition will feature various types of household items, accessories, footwear and more.
What if there was a way to see with our eyes shut – Clement Borderie & Cat Loray
Time: 21 April – 19 May
Location: 199 Weishan Road
Price: Free
Loray and Borderie will bring viewers on a journey to explore time and space. The stunning exhibition will highlight the close relationship and chemistry between the two artists.
Aerobanquets RMX
Time: 10 – 14 April 2018, 17:00 – 20:00
Location: Block 18, 50 Moganshan Road
Price: RMB 300 (Adults) RMB 150 (Students) RMB 180 (Members), 18 tickets available daily, reservation required
Inspired by Italian artist Philip Marinetti, the aerobanquet will have 6 dining sessions, each limited to 3 diners per period. In the 30-minute experience, diners will get to taste over 11 exquisite snacks, made by head chef, Flavio Gignoni Careistia.
The God of Small Things
Time: 17 March – 5 May
Location: 376 Wukang Road
Price: Free
In this exhibition, the artist hopes to explore and re-define “micro-objects” to go beyond small-sized items and include time, relationship, speed and sensitivity factors.
K11 Butterfly Museum
Time: 23 March – 31 May
Location: 300 Zhunhaizhong Road
Price: Free
Transforming to a beautiful butterfly art museum, this exhibition showcases a collection of butterfly-related artworks, including Zhou Li Dai “Butterfly Master” art piece, and highlights the beauty of art and nature.
Famous French Artist “Seth” Exhibition
Time: 22 March – 9 April
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA)
Address:436 Yonghe Dong Lu, near Pingxingguan Lu
Price: RMB 80
Traveling through the streets of old Shanghai to find new inspirations, the 13-piece exhibition contains fond childhood memories and showcases the 2-month long work by Mr Qi.
Lois Conner: A Long View
Time: 24 March – 10 June, 10:30 – 17:30 daily
Location: Shanghai Center of Photography
Address:2555-1 Longteng Avenue
Price: RMB 40
This exhibition presents work that Conner has made in China over the past 30-odd years. Split into 3 main portions – landscape, city and lotus – the exhibition follows Conner’s journey and experiences, and the changes observed in the city in the past few decades.
Prada: Rome 1950 – 1965 Exhibition
Time: 23 March – 27 May
Location: Prada Center
Address:186 Xiaxibei Road
Price: RMB 45
Opened to the public for the second time, this art exhibition features over 30 paintings and sculptures, exploring the development of Roman culture and art following World War II.
Dior, The Art of Color
Time: 22 March – 9 April
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA)
Address:436 Yonghe Dong Lu, near Pingxingguan Lu
Price: RMB 80
Inspired by 12 different color palettes, the exhibition goes behind the scenes and uncovers Dior’s Makeup Creative and Brand Directors' creative process, providing a better understanding of Dior’s makeup and art history.
Yang Fudong: Dawn Breaking
Time: 24 March – 3 June
Location: Long Museum
Address:210, Lane 2255, Luo Shan Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Price: RMB 50
Artist Yang Fudong’s and Long Museum’s first large-scale video solo exhibition, “Tomorrow morning” emphasizes the architectural beauty and unique structural features of the museum, and transforms the hall into a Song Dynasty and Tower of Life-themed backdrop.
Art Patrons
Time: 25 March – 16 September
Location: 2555-5 Longteng Avenue
Price: RMB 30
The participating 36 “Art Sponsors” are art collectors who used their own methods to record and create art history. The exhibition explores the rich history and meaning behind their work and collection.
Donna Huanca: Cell Echo
Time: 24 March – 3 June
Location: Yuz Museum,
Address:35 Fenggu Road
Price: Free
The artist's first solo exhibition in China, “Resonance of Cells” combines live performance with painting, sculptures and fabric. Huanca aims to push her artistic and creative boundaries with this new collection of pieces.
Jim Campbell & Zhang Peili: The Flickering Uncertain
Time: 17 March – 17 April
Location: 18/F, 50 Moganshan Road
Price: RMB 30
This exhibition is the first solo exhibition held by San Francisco artist Jim Campbell in China, showing five of Campbell’s “low-pixel series.”
“Analogue LOL” Micheal Dean’s First Solo Exhibition in China
Time: 24 March – 13 May, Closed on Mondays
Location: 10/F, 2555 Longteng Avenue
Price: Free
British artist Michael Dean's first solo exhibition in China. The “Analogue LOL” exhibition began with the rise of the online “LOL” and emoji culture of recent years. The abbreviated letters represent the new era of expression and what it might mean for the future.
Wenyuan Yinghua: Treasures from the British Library
Time: 15 March – 15 April, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Shanghai Library
Address:1555 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Price: Free
This exhibition is centered on the original manuscript from five British authors in the British Library including Charlotte Bronte, DH Lawrence, Percy Bich Shelley, TS Eliot and Charles Dickens. Chinese translations, adaptations, and related reviews of manuscripts will also be exhibited.
Atelier Muji | Chinese Word Discovery
Time: 10 March – 13 May
Location: Muji 3/F, iapm
Address:999 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Price: Free
Exploring “changes” and “constants” in Chinese characters, the exhibition hopes to put Chinese characters back in the limelight, allowing us to discover and better understand them.
Chen Sung Chih: Rambling Sentence
Time: 23 March – 19 May
Location: No. 2, 19 Wulumuqizhong Road
Price: Free
A personal observation by the artist on space and perception, the exhibits are all made on-site and the exhibition’s first floor is covered with gold dust to signify the undiscovered relationships between consciousness and space.
Xiao Qin Art Exhibition
Time: 16 March – 18 May
Location: China Art Museum
Address:205,Shangnan Lu
Price: Free
This exhibition will showcase nearly 200 paintings and sculptures by abstract artist Xiao Qin, reviewing his 60 years of creativity.
Lonely Noodle – 100 Bowls to cure
Time: 30 March – 20 May
Location: New World Dawan Department Store
Address:1,Xizang Nan Lu
Price: RMB 48-78
The first instant noodles exhibition in China, the exhibition pays tribute to the popular comfort food, and puts a twist on the food in interesting backdrops like the instant noodle forests, instant noodle bathroom, spaceship, mummy and more. The best part is, the exhibition is edible!
On Struggling to Remain Present When You Want to Disappear
Time: 08 April – 10 June
Location: Shanghai Contemporary Art Terminal
Address:1/F,30 Wen'an Lu
Price: Free
Thirteen artists from Angola, Argentina, China, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are invited to showcase their works created in different cultural contexts in this complex exhibition that explores identity and belonging.
Hadath Levin 2018
Time: 22 March – 08 July
Location: Froots Gallery
Address: 3/F, 909 Tianyaoqiao Road
Price: Free
Artist Hadath Levin likes to try new materials such as black steel powder and epoxy resin in jewelry. This series of creative methods, like her travel on the Acropolis, let her experience the encounter between reality and the past.
Esty Knobel Exhibition
Time: 22 March – 08 July
Location: Froots Gallery
Address:3/F, 909 Tianyaoqiao Road
Price: Free
The 30-year span of the exhibition's work focuses on Esty Knobel’s various creations and inspirations in the jewelry field. In this exhibition, the artist presents works from three different periods, showcasing breakthroughs in his creation through the development of technology.
THE SPRING DESIGNER MARKET @ Shanghai Centre
Time: 12 April, 10am - 5pm
Location: Shanghai Centre
Address: 1376 West Nanjing road (cross changde rd)
Price: FREE
Spring is finally here and so is the first Shanghai Creatives Designer Market of the year. More than 50 creative designers are thrilled to welcome and show you their new spring collections, at Shanghai Centre’s plaza, Thursday the 12th April, 10am - 5pm, You can enjoy a unique selection of clothing & accessories, jewelry, home decor, kids items, bags and much more. Stop by Shanghai Creatives Spring Designer Market and get fitted for the new season!
Feast: Shanghai Food Festival
Time: 29 April – 30 April, 12pm-8pm
Location: 4/F, Taikoo Hui
Price: RMB 80-170
April 29th and 30th FEAST is back! The event showcases some of the best foods and drinks that Shanghai has to offer, all in one place for two incredible days. If you're a foodie, appreciate a great cocktail or just want to enjoy some sunshine with a fun crowd, you won't want to miss this one.
Serious | a.f.art theatre
Time: 24 March – 28 April
Location: Room 302, 2879 Longteng Avenue
Price: Free
As a bookworm, the artist expresses the madness, frailty, panic and climax in an instant and gives these concepts significance.
2018 EDC China
Time: 29 April – 30 April
Location: Shanghai Music Village
Address:188, 399 Shendi Dong Lu
Price: RMB 780 – 2880
International world-class electronic event EDC will be landing in China for the first time. Bringing unprecedented electronic music to fans, the Shanghai stop will have 3 spectacular stages and feature an A-list lineup including Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Kygo and Deadmau5.
2018 Shanghai Strawberry Music Festival
Time: 29 April – 1 May
Location: 2700 Zhangyang North Road
Price: 3-days advance tickets, RMB 720
The Strawberry Music Festival is back! A mega five-stage setup with hundreds of artists will make for an epic weekend of live music and fun.
Daydream Festival China
Time: 14 April – 15 April
Location: No. 188, 399 Shendi East Road
Price: RMB 480 – 880
The Daydream Magic Day Music Festival will make its debut in Shanghai. The multi-sensory music experience will entertain visitors while warping their sense. "Time and space will no longer be an issue."
Bruno Mars 24K Magic World Tour
Time: 20 April – 23 April
Location: Mercedes – Benz Arena Shanghai
Address:1200 Shibo Avenue
Price: RMB 580 – 2280
The Grammy Award winner Bruno Mars will bring his latest 24K Magic 2018 world tour to Chinese fans.
“Sea of Silence” 2018 Tour, Shanghai
Time: 18 April, Wednesday 19:30 – 21:30
Location: 1376 Nanjing West Road
Price: RMB 100 – 380
Using his classical piano skills and falsetto, Maximilian is ready to charm fans.
Keren Ann 2018 China Tour
Time: 20 April, Friday 19:30 – 21:30
Location: 1376 Nanjing West Road
Price: RMB 180 – 680
Sway to Keren Ann’s soulful voice and tunes, as she performs for one-night only at Nanjing West Road on 18 April.
Mankey Majic in Shanghai 2018
Time: 14 April, Saturday 18:30 – 20:00
Location: 1/F, Dream Theatre, Bandai Namco Shanghai
Address:179 Yichang Lu
Price: RMB 380
MONKEY MAJIK is a four-person fusion rock band composed of Canadian brothers Maynard (Vo&Gt) and Blaise (Vo&Gt), Japanese rhythm team TAX (Dr) and DICK (Ba) living in Sendai. The members use alternative methods and means to create interesting and unique music pieces.
Blue Foundation 2018 China Tour
Time: 14 April, Saturday 21:00 – 22:30
Location: Mao Livehouse
Address:308 Chongqing Nan Lu
Price: RMB 150 (Pre-order), RMB 180 (Door)
Blue Foundation is composed of Danish producer/composer Tobias Wilner and multi-instrumental artist, Bor Rande. They will integrate vocals and psychedelic electronics, plus symphony textures and instruments, and inject new life into the eclectic tempo electronic music.
Lydmor China Tour
Time: 19 April, Thursday 20:30 – 22:00
Location: 2/F, 17 Xiangyang North Road
Price: RMB 80 (Pre-order) RMB 100 (Door)
In April 2018, Lydmor will come to China again with her new album “I Told You I’d Tell Them Our Story” which incorporates various elements of futurism and creative ideas.
Miyavi “Day 2” 2018 World Tour
Time: 19 April, Thursday 20:30 – 22:00
Location: 2/F, 17 Xiangyang North Road
Price: RMB 480
MIYAVI, Japanese rock singer. MIYAVI is a full-length rock music singer from the Japanese music scene. In his 20 years of history, MIYAVI has transformed from a rebellious rock boy into a rock man who leads the trend of Japanese music. He is praised as a Japanese guitar samurai for his outstanding guitar skills.
Chad Valley 2018 China Tour
Time: 30 April 2018, Monday 21:00 – 23:30
Location: 851 Kaixuan Road
Price: RMB 80 (Pre-order)
The talented electronic artist and vocalist will be in town for a live performance on April 30th.
“TKCW Roadtrip” 2018 World Tour
Time: 13 April 2018, Friday 20:00 – 21:30
Location: Mao Livehouse
Bandai Namco Shanghai
Price: RMB 150 (Pre-order) RMB 180 (Door)
A rap group composed of three Chinese students, Chuckzigga, XZT, and Feezy will be at the MAO on April 13th to spit some hot fire for fans.
American Group Secrets New Album China Tour
Time: 25 April 2018, Wednesday 20:30 – 23:30
Location: Yuyintang, 851 Kaixuan Road
Price: RMB 90 (Pre-order) RMB 120 (Door)
SECRETS was formed in 2010 in San Diego, and their debut album "The Ascent" catapulted them to international fame. On April 25th you can catch them live as they visit China for the first time.
Cuban Jazz Music
Time: 13 April, Friday 19:30
Location: 523 Yanan East Road
Price: RMB 80 – 680
The three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban free-rhythm jazz band members brought Cuba’s rich musical tradition across the country in the 21st century.
Tokyo Rock Band Ovum China Tour 2018: Shanghai
Time: 19 April, Thursday 20:30 – 23:30
Location: 851 Kaixuan Road
Price: RMB 100 (Pre-order) RMB 120 (Door)
Ovum brings their post-rock sound to YYT for what's sure to be a killer live show.
Hitorie Unknown Tour 2018: “Loveless”
Time: 21 April, Saturday 18:00 – 20:00
Location: Bandai Namco Shanghai
Address:179 Yichang Lu
Price: RMB 230
The first public concert by Hitorie in Shanghai.
Popular Japanese Jazz Hip Hop Musician: Tsunenori
Time: 14 April, Saturday 20:00 – 21:30
Location: 2/F, Future Theatre, Bandai Namco Shanghai
Address:179 Yichang Lu
Price: RMB 180
Attracting many well-known artists, the Jazz Hip Hop event, Fuseland, is back for the fourth time, and their lineup includes DJ Okawari and tsunenori.
Elevator: Love Bang 8-Year Anniversary
Time: Friday, April 13, 9pm
Location: Elevator, 4/F, 218 Xinle Lu
Price: RMB 60
发发发!888! Art & music collective Love Bang celebrate eight years of ups and downs in the cartoon world this weekend, starting with a club night full of hip hop, club tracks, mahjong-house, catcore, and live animation from the 2D world. Come down early to get a piece of ultra-rare Homeslice Detroit Pizza; stay late until you wanna grab a jianbing across the street (or just go right to their exhibition the next day at Xime). Lineup: WhatsUpNardja, Hyph11e, Gouachi, Heatwolves, Knopha, and VJ 陈吸吸.
French Musical: Romeo and Juliet
Time: 5 April – 22 April
Location: Mercedes – Benz Areana Shanghai
Address:1200 Shibo Avenue
Price: RMB 80 – 1699
The world’s most popular French musical was so well-received that it has a score of 9.1 on Douban! Luxurious song and dance scenes, magnificent stage design; classical and modern music, gorgeous costumes and dazzling dance, the French romantic presents the classic Shakespeare story.
Tao Dance Theater “6” & “9”
Time: 13 April – 14 April
Location: 1650 Hongqiao Road
Price: RMB 180 – 680
The number series "6" and "9" will be staged at the Tao Dance Theater on 13 and 14 April. Currently, there are 8 productions of the series.
Verdi Opera, Nabucco
Time: 11 April – 13 April
Location: Shanghai Grand Theatre
Address:286 Huangpi Bei Lu
Price: RMB 180 – 880
In 1842, Milan's La Scala Opera premiered Nabucco, a four-act opera adapted from the bible.
Around The World with Chef Danyi: Vietnam
Time: 21 April – 22 April, 6-10pm
Location: Shake,
Address:3/F, 46 Maoming Nan Lu
Price: RMB 299 per person
A new monthly dinner and live music series inspired by the travels of one of China's fastest-rising chefs, Danyi Gao. In this first edition, Danyi takes us to Vietnam with a six-course set including Bun Cha, Pok Pok Wings, Lemongrass Clam Soup, Banh Cuon, Wagyu Oxtail & Beef Brisket Pho, and Che Chuoi for dessert. In February, Danyi won first place and one million RMB in one of China's biggest cooking shows, Chef Nic. Dinner from 6pm-10pm; live funk and soul to burn off the calories from 10.30pm. 299rmb per person; minimum two persons.
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