The best things to do in Shanghai this week

December is here and the festive season is well and truly upon us. If you think it's far too early to be thinking about Christmas, there are plenty of great things to do in Shanghai this week that don't involve mulled wine and chestnuts roasting over an open fire.

Music and Nightlife

Festivus

After previously hosting the likes of Braids and Shigeto, Festivus is back, bringing quality Danish electronica and American hip hop from Taragana Pyjarama and Deniro Farrar at Yuyintang. Also just added to the bill: New York R&B/hard rap artist IamJaeHall. Support comes from locally based hip hop duo Queen Diamond and Skinny OG, plus Supastar Defined. 

Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Wed 6. 9pm. 100RMB; 70RMB (presale).

Antonio Sánchez

Mexico-born, New York-based jazz drummer Antonio Sanchez – who you might know from his memorable score for Alejandro González Iñárritu's Birdman or his work with Pat Metheny – comes to Shanghai courtesy of JZ Club and the SSO, who are joining forces to present the five time Grammy Award winner as part of the Contemporale series.

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall 1380 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Baoqing Lu. Tue 5. 8pm. 80-480RMB.

Afrojack

Grammy award-winning DJ and producer Afrojack is one of the most influential names on the EDM scene today, and of course is no stranger to this city. He's back to get Shanghai's hands in the air this Friday, this time at Linx.

Linx First-Second Floors, 98 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Xizang Nan Lu. Fri 8. 10.30pm. 280RMB (presale).

Things to Do

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.

KFK Presents: Nazeem Hussain

Aussie comic Nazeem Hussain, creator of award-winning Legally Brown and as seen on Netflix's Bill Nye Saves the World, is coming to Kung Fu Komedy for three headline shows.

Kung Fu Komedy Club Fourth Floor, 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Fri 8 and Sat 9. 9pm Fri; 8pm and 10pm Sat. 200RMB; 170RMB presale.

Christmas clothing drive at The Rooster

Donate your unwanted clothes to someone in need this weekend at The Rooster. As the cold really starts to bite, they're looking for warm clothes, jackets, coats pants, shoes in good wearable condition. Donors can look forward to a free pint of Vedett and an extended merry happy hour on Vedett Extra White, Boulevard Single-Wide IPA and hot drinks.

The Rooster 455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Sat 9. 3.30pm. Free.

POP: A Pop-up Dance Installation

Beyond the Bund presents POP, the pop-up dance installation that pops the bubbles around you. The show is created and performed by Austin Goodwin, Fania Grigoriou, Chris Jäger, Garth Johnson and Ingrid Kapteyn and produced by the Beyond the Bund team.

TREE @Xintiandi 58 Xujiahui Lu, near Madang Lu. Mon 4-Tue 5. 7pm. 200RMB; 150RMB early bird.

Jingan Christkindlmarkt

This Christmas market will appeal to every one of your senses: the scent of baked apples, chestnuts, gingerbread, glühwein and rum punch fill; the festive glow of beautifully decorated stalls with handicrafts and gifts, holiday cheer in the air and much more.

Tonglefang 537 Haifang Lu. Dec 1-3; Dec 8-17. 5pm, Mon-Fri; midday, Sat and Sun. 50RMB (Sat and Sun, includes one mulled wine); free (Mon-Fri); free entry for kids accompanied by an adult.

Christmas Commune Market

Shanghai's K11 Art Mall hosts the Christmas Commune Market over two weekends at its sixth floor Sky Garden. Expect a wide range artisanal gifts and decorations from local vendors.

K11 Art Mall 300 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huangpi Nan Lu. Dec 8-10; Dec 15-17. 11am. Free.

Film

Coco

After a few iffy efforts – at least by its own lofty standards – Pixar follows the marvelously mind-bending Inside Out with a Mexico-set adventure that bubbles with wit and daring. 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. 7.15pm. 200RMB-1,000RMB.

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.

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