15 awesome things to do in Shanghai this December
December is here and the Christmas season is upon us. Whether you're celebrating or not, the festive cheer is difficult to avoid, but fear not, there are still plenty of non-Christmassy things going down this December. Here's what you can look forward to this month.
Food and Drink
Tastebuds
Tastebuds food festival promises to load you up with bites and sips from 13 international restaurants, plus bars and bartenders and a full programme of live music, DJs and prizes for a day out that'll be sure to leave all five senses tingling.
800 Show 800 Changde Lu, near Changping Lu. Sat 2. Midday. Free.
Social Supply Shanghai Christmas dinner at Le Baron
Shanghai’s most outgoing collective are whipping out the good silverware for an annual charity dinner at Le Baron. The event is in support of The Library Project, which builds libraries for primary schools and orphanages in rural China.
Le Baron Seventh Floor, 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu. Sun 17. See socialsupplyshanghai.com for ticket info.
Music and Nightlife
A Place To Bury Strangers
‘New York’s loudest band’ bring their unique brand of ‘tinnitus-inducing’ shoegaze-turned-post-punk to the intimate confines of Yuyintang. This show could be absolutely legendary. Bring your earplugs.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Fri 15. 9pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale).
Hardwell
Dutch EDM star and household name on major festival bills, returns to Shanghai for a night at MYST as part of his United China Tour.
MYST 1123 Yanan Zhong Lu, near Fumin Lu. Fri 15. 10pm. Entry tbc.
Migu Awards
A massive Mandopop feast at Mercedes-Benz Arena with a ridiculous line-up: Jay Chou, Jolin Tsai, G.E.M, TFBoys Jane Zhang and SNH48 are among the megastars appearing.
Mercedes-Benz Arena 1200 Expo Avenue, near Gaoke Xi Lu. Sat 16. 7.30pm. 380-1,680RMB.
Desiigner
The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards 'Best Newcomer Nominee' best known for his definitive song-of-the-summer 'Panda' lands in Shanghai ahead of the launch of not one, but two albums. Whether one or two LPs drop between now and his December 17 gig remains to be seen, but this should be a big night.
Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Sun 17. 10pm. 380RMB; 320RMB (presale).
Things to Do
BTB Immersive: CHINESE WHISPERS
Beyond the Bund are back with their all-new immersive dance storytelling. This season they are focusing on the retelling of one Shanghainese elder's life. They have split her story into four chapters, this month it is chapter one, Stories Before Me.
TREE @ Xintiandi 358 Xujiahui Lu, near Madang Lu. Fri 1-Fri 8. 7.30pm. 200RMB; 150RMB (presale).
PUSHFEST 2017
Good news for skaters and film buffs alike, Asia’s first skate film festival is back in Shanghai for its second year at Central Studios. Featuring ramps, screenings and tags by ICONX, this is not an event you want to bail on.
Central Studios Building 1, Central Studios, 751 Huangpi Nan Lu, near Jianguo Dong Lu. Sun 10. 12pm. Free.
Film
Patriots Day
This film about the Boston Marathon bombing is far from a flag-waving celebration of nationalism like the title would suggest. Instead, expect a gritty and gripping yet even-handed retelling that sheds light on all perspectives, without grand-standing heroism or caricatured villainy.
On general release.
Coco
Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to work out the mystery.
On general release.
Stage
West Side Story
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it’s the tale of two teen gangs, the Sharks and the Jets as they battle for control of their New York neighbourhood. West Side Story may not quite be on the level of Bloods and Crips gang warfare, but it’s a wonderful tale that is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time.
Shanghai Culture Square 597 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Until Wed 6 Dec. 7.15pm. 200RMB-1,000RMB.
Legally Blonde: The Musical
The story of sorority-girl-turned-law student Elle Woods hits the Shanghai stage in Legally Blonde: The Musical. The show makes for fabulously fun watching and an exhilaratingly big-hearted evening.
Shanghai Culture Square 597 Fuxing Zhong Lu. Fri 15-Wed 27. 200-1,000RMB (preorder).
ACT Shanghai International Theatre Festival
Shanghai’s premier ‘Fringe’ festival returns takes to the stage once again with a full bill of Chinese and international acts from around the world.
Various locations Until Sun 17. Time and entry varies.
Art
Wing Shya: Acting Out
Fashion photographer, filmmaker and video producer, Wing Shya’s diverse body of emotionally charged works and images that span his 25 years behind the camera.
Shanghai Center of Photography 2555 Longteng Avenue, near Longlan Lu. Until Jan 10. 40RMB.
Why New York
Shanghai-born artist trio Chen Danqing, Ma Kelu and Feng Lianghong present a collective homage to the rich yet unrelenting New York art scene while channeling each creative’s unique style.
Shanghai Gallery of Art Third Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu. Unti Jan 7. Free.