34 brilliant things to do in Shanghai this August

Image: Bad Robot Productions

There's a whole heap of great things to do around Shanghai this month and we've listed our pick of them below. Because we're nice like that. From Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda's Post Traumatic Tour to the new Mission: Impossible hitting cinemas, to a Kasabian and Bastille mashup to a virtual reality multimedia experience, there's all sorts going down. Read on for the best that August has to offer.

Scroll to the bottom of the post and click 'Read more' for extra event details and booking links.

Food & Drink

The Sun Salutation: Yoga and Brunch

Photograph: courtesy Bread etc

A yoga class with Mia Yang Yan of Yoga Shala Studio and an energy breakfast, every Monday morning at Bread etc throughout August. Pre-payment and booking required.

📍Bread etc, 500 Xiangyang Nan Lu, near Jianguo Xi Lu. Until Mon 27 (every Mon). 7.30-8.30am. 178RMB. 

Shake x Peddlers Gin: Botanicals Month Launch

Photograph: courtesy Shake

Shake and Shanghai-based distillers Peddlers Gin Company team up for a month-long immersive botanicals experience. You can touch, smell, and taste 11 of the local ingredients that go into Peddlers Gin, like Buddha's hand and Sichuan pepper, all August. The Peddlers cocktail list features watermelon and mint G&Ts, Wuxi peach and blueberry G&Ts and many more.

📍Shake, Third Floor, 46 Maoming Nan Lu, near Jinxian Lu. Tue 7. 

Tarot Card Reading and Mystery Cocktails at DEUS

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Have you ever wondered where your fate lies? Get your cards read on the eighth day of the eighth month – an auspicious date in China – at DEUS cocktail bar. Knowing your fate comes at a price, 100RMB to be exact, for a mystery cocktail and a tarot card reading by Allison LV.

📍DEUS, Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, near Ruijin Yi Lu. Wed 8. 7-10.30pm. 100RMB. 

Peruvian Pop-Up Dinner with Carlos Sotomayor

Photograph: Carlos Sotomayor courtesy Shake

The chef behind much-loved, but now-shuttered restaurants elEfante and Ekeko takes over Shake's kitchen for two nights with a four-course Peruvian set dinner. Get ready for a full supper club experience, featuring the colourful summer flavours of Peru, some extra magic from sous-chef for the night Danyi Gao, ice-cold cocktails by Colin Tait, and post-dinner live music from funk band The Shanghai Sheiks performing a 7 Queens of Soul concert. RSVP highly recommended.

📍Shake, Third Floor, 46 Maoming Nan Lu, near Jinxian Lu. Fri 10-Sat 11. 6-10pm. 399RMB per person (minimum two people). 

Sunday Folks Pop-up

Photograph: @me_ke_arisa via Instagram

Popular ice cream brand from Singapore Sunday Folks is organising a pop-up fitting for the weather. A collaboration between the dessert brand and KerryOn, expect carefully crafted sweets, freshly made waffles and gorgeous toppings.

📍Jingan Kerry Centre, 1515 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu. Wed 15 Aug-Mon 15 Oct. 10am-10pm. 

Chef's Table at Egg: Wang Sting

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Each month, Egg hosts a series of Chef's Table dinners featuring new guest chefs serving up a tasting menu for ten diners seated around Egg's communal table. This mid-August event will welcome Hunan-native chef Wang Sting. Having cut his teeth at two Michelin-star restaurant 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Wang recently moved to playful kitchen and wine bar concept, Bird. Expect to get a taste of his take on fine dining. 

📍Egg, 12 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Thu 16. 8-10pm. 288RMB. 

2018 Shanghai Craft Beer Festival

Photograph: courtesy Yutacar via Unsplash

Now a longstanding summer tradition, Boxing Cat Brewery's craft beer fest returns for a weekend of 100-plus craft brews, live music, gourmet eats and a whole load of games and activities. Entry tickets include one drink.

📍Lujiazui Harbour City, 167 Yincheng Lu, near Pudong Nan Lu. Sat 18-Sun 19. 11am-10pm. 100RMB; 50RMB (early bird).

Music & Nightlife

Summer Escape

Photograph: Pocari Sweet, courtesy MAO Livehouse

Indie collective Shengjian Records present three new-ish female-fronted Chinese bands at MAO: Pocari Sweet, Peach Illusion and 浪味仙贝 (or Lonely Cookies). We're talking jangly, synth-infused indie-pop and sweet noise for the most part here.

📍MAO Livehouse, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. Sat 4. 8.30-11pm. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale). 

G.E.M

Photograph: Emmet Green

Shanghai-born, Hong Kong-based pop star makes her latest appearances in Pudong. She's recently been featuring on the new Rap of China series as a judge, but don't expect too much hip hop in these performances – she's best known for squeaky clean, if often high-energy, pop hits. 

📍Mercedes-Benz Arena, 1200 Shibo Dadao, near Gaoke Xi Lu. Sat 4-Sun 5. 7.30-10pm. 380-1280RMB. Extract QR code to book. 

Love Bang: Culture Crash!

Photograph: courtesy organiser

A social experiment that probably won't happen again. Punk kids invade the dance club! Rave kids take over the punk show! Street cats take over the Tsui Wah! A lineup of bands, live acts and DJs playing including Dirty Fingers, MIRRORS, Cruel Buddhist, Baijiu Robot!, Kin.J, VJ 陈吸吸 and more.

📍Elevator, Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. Sat 11. 8.30pm-late. 80RMB; 50RMB (presale). 

Mike Shinoda

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

Former Linkin Park man brings his Post Traumatic Tour to Shanghai for what will be his first solo performance in the city. Shinoda has been pushing hard in the China market – one where Linkin Park have always been well-received – and filmed one of his first solo music videos right here in Shanghai. Expect a mix of his own material and that of Linkin Park, as part of a potentially emotional tribute to co-frontman Chester Bennington.

📍Jingan Sports Center, 116 Wenshui Lu, near Yonghe Dong Lu. Tue 14. 8-10pm. 380-1,280RMB. Extract QR code to book. 

Wolf Alice

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

This North London alt-rock outfit, led by vocalist Ellie Rowsell, mix elements of folk, grunge, and electronic music into their '90s indie rock sound. Since announcing themselves with 2015 debut album My Love is Cool, they’ve picked up nominations for the Mercury Prize, Brits, Ivor Novello and Grammys. They arrive in Shanghai plugging 2017's Visions of a Life.

📍Modern Sky Lab, Third Floor, Ruihong Tiandi, 188 Ruihong Lu, near Tianhong Lu. Thu 16. 8.30-10.30pm. 350RMB. Extract QR code to book. 

Duck Fight Goose

Photograph: Shenli, courtesy Duck Fight Goose

One of Shanghai's best bands perform their latest album in full with support from another of the city's finest acts, Foster Parents.

📍Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, 179 Yichang Lu, near Jiangning Lu. Fri 17. 8pm-late. 160RMB; 120RMB (presale). 

Transmission Festival

Photograph: courtesy organiser

Huge trance festival Transmission comes to Mainland China for the first time. The theme of the festival is 'Spirit of the warrior' and the lineup includes BT, AlyFila and more. 

📍National Exhibition and Convention Center, 333 Songze Dadao, near Laigang Lu. Sat 18. 2pm-late. 380-880RMB. 

Snapline

Photograph: Li Lewei

Brilliant Chinese post-punk trio Snapline – who were a key part of the 'No Beijing' movement in the mid-'00s – are reuniting after a lengthy hiatus (bar an appearance at Maybe Mars' tenth-anniversary celebrations last year) to bring their new album and a very special live show to Shanghai.

📍Modern Sky Lab, Third Floor, Ruihong Tiandi, 188 Ruihong Lu, near Tianhong Lu. Fri 24. 8.30pm-late. 150RMB; 130RMB (presale). 

Andy Stott

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe 

An unmissable booking at ALL as marvellous Manchester-based producer Andy Stott makes his debut appearance in Shanghai, having first played China last year as part of Douban's Wetware Festival (booked by ALL founder Gaz Williams). Stott's music gets hit with all kinds of labels, from techno to dub, but none of these seem to do his textured, experimental and always interesting sound justice.

📍ALL, Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. Sat 25. 10pm-late. 

B-Land: Kasabian x Bastille

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets.com (Bastille)

Primal Scream-ish mid-'00s rockers Kasabian swap Leicester for Shanghai as they hit Mercedes-Benz Arena as part of a Japanese festival spin-off which also features fellow Brits Bastille, the indie-pop band who found fame a few years later with hits such as 'Pompeii' and 'Things We Lost in the Fire'.

📍Mercedes-Benz Arena, 1200 Shibo Dadao, near Gaoke Xi Lu. Wed 29. 7.30pm-late. 280-1,580RMB. Extract QR code to book. 

Things to Do

World of Ghibli

Photograph: John Pearson

The World of Ghibli's first-ever Mainland exhibit is so kawaii. Alongside a collection of 285 original Studio Ghibli storyboards and sketches, the walkthrough exhibit dedicates a large section to one of the animation giant's most successful movies, My Neighbor Totoro – which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

📍Shanghai World Financial Centre (SWFC), 100 Shiji Dadao, near Dongtai Lu. Until Sun 7 Oct. 10am-7pm. 159-310RMB. Extract QR code to book. 

The Egg House

Photograph: courtesy The Egg House

The egg-themed pop-up that was a hit in New York City has hatched in Shanghai. Filled with interactive installations and Instagrammable exhibits, this dreamscape is the weirdly wonderful imagined home of Ellis the Egg.

📍Joy City, Third Floor, 166 Xizang Bei Lu, near Qufu Xi Lu. Until Thu 18 Oct. 68-198RMB. 

The Common Store Pop Up

Photograph: courtesy Common Rare

The ladies behind design-focus market series Common Rare have set up shop at Rockbund for their first ongoing pop-up shop The Common Store. Expect to see a range of products from numerous brands, including home fragrance, jewellery, accessories, clothes and indie magazines. Find it next to Arabica at Rockbund. 

📍Next to Arabica, Rockbund, 169 Yuanmingyuan Lu, near Suzhou Nan Lu. Until Sun 12. 11am-7.30pm. Free. 

ChinaJoy

Photograph: courtesy ChinaJoy

ChinaJoy is back this year at the Shanghai New International Expo Center with events spanning across four days, highlighting the global digital entertainment industry and featuring over 4,000 online console games from over 30 countries.

📍Shanghai New International Expo Centre, 2345 Longyang Lu, near Fangdian Lu. Until Mon 6. 9am-late. 100-850RMB. 

KFK Spotlight: Garron Chiu – Yellow Privilege

Photograph: courtesy Kung Fu Komedy

Garron Chiu and his eyebrows are over from Hong Kong to headline Kung Fu Komedy. Chiu, as seen on Comedy Central Asia, was second runner-up at this year's China International Comedy Festival and will be supported at his headliner by Sarah Peng, Ben Frank, Adam Hopkins, Kurt Dunsing, Perri Cassie and host Mohammed Magdi.

📍Kung Fu Komedy Club, Fourth Floor, 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Sat 11. 8.30-10pm. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale). 

Check Point 2.0

Photograph: Shirlene Dou, courtesy Touch Our Buttons and Random Encounters

A free community-organised Shanghai game fair at People Squared, featuring workshops, video games, talks, VR, board games and more.

📍People Squared, 28 Yuyuan Dong Lu, near Changde Lu. Sat 11. 2-9pm. Free.

Film

Shoplifters

Image: AOI Promotion

A winner at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Shoplifters follows an impoverished family of five living happily in Tokyo despite needing petty theft to get by. One day, they take in a teenage girl from the street who puts all their choices under scrutiny. 

📍Cinemas around Shanghai. On general release now. 

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Image: Legendary Entertainment

This sequel to 2008's Mamma Mia! is a nostalgia trip to the '70s, filled with ABBA hits, cheesy dance numbers and simple, happy thoughts. Critics recommend you keep your brain off and enjoy an otherwise pleasing spectacle.

📍Cinemas around Shanghai. On general release now. 

The Meg

Image: Apelles Entertainment

We know what you're thinking – not another shark movie. Expert sea diver Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) is on a path of redemption after he has a second chance at taking down the 70-foot long shark that cost him his crew, career and marriage.

📍Cinemas around Shanghai. On general release Fri 10 Aug. 

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Image: Marvel Studios

The tiniest Marvel hero may turn out to be the mightiest – or at least that's what is implied by his absence in Avengers: Infinity War. For now, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) rocks dad life and pines for another adventure.

📍Cinemas around Shanghai. On general release Fri 24 Aug.  

Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Image: Bad Robot Productions

Actor Tom Cruise and Director Christopher McQuarrie are back with another Mission: Impossible. This time, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team find themselves wanted by assassins and in a race against time. Be prepared for more death-defying stunts and Cruise jumping out of planes.

📍Cinemas around Shanghai. On general release Fri 31 Aug. 

Art

Systems

Photograph: Kenny Ong

Lin Tianmiao, known for video works and fabric sculptures about the female body, presents Systems at Rockbund Art Museum. The exhibition features two large-scale installations and a series of sculptures about, well, systems made of connected things forming a complex whole. Also featured are Tianmiao's iconic fabric sculptures 'Day-Dreamer' and 'High!!!'.

📍Rockbund Art Museum, 20 Huqiu Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu. Until Sun 26 (every day except Mon). 50RMB. 

Construction of Reality

Photograph: Leandro Erlich / HOW Art Museum 

More than 30 pieces from Argentine conceptual artist Leandro Erlich, including his iconic mind-bending installations, are on display at HOW Art Museum. Erlich is known for deftly subverting everyday objects and spaces on a large-scale to examine our relationship with the constructs we build around us.

📍HOW Art Museum, 2277 Zuchongzhi Lu, near Zhonghuan Lu. Until Sun 26 (every day except Mon). 50RMB. 

Wavelength: Reset

Photographs: ONNFF Studio, courtesy organisers 

Powerlong Museum and CUBE Consulting Group Inc. have come together to present a three-month-long contemporary art exhibition, Wavelength: Reset. The exhibition features more than 100 sets of artworks from 40 artists around the world, ranging from paintings to new media to fashion.

📍Powerlong Museum, 3055 Caobao Lu, near Xinzhen Lu. Until Mon 8 Oct. 50RMB. 

Charlie Chaplin: A Vision

Photograph: © Roy Export SAS. Courtesy Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne via 247tickets.com

A major retrospective exhibition of Charlie Chaplin photographs, co-produced by the Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne and Yuz Museum. The collection includes production and set stills, as well as travel albums and portraits by well-known photographers such as James Abbe, Edward Steichen and Richard Avedon.

📍Yuz Museum, 35 Fenggu Lu, near Longteng Dadao. Until Sun 7 Oct (every day except Mon). 150RMB. Extract QR code to book. 

Klimt Experience

Photograph: courtesy Klimt Experience

The Klimt Experience is a 45-minute multimedia installation involving video projection onto the floors and walls and a virtual reality experience that allows you to seemingly enter the artist's works. 

📍Hongqiao Art Center, 888 Tianshan Lu, near Loushanguan Lu. Until Sat 13 Oct. 120-319RMB. Extract QR code to book. 

Classical/Stage

Alice's Adventures Underground

Photograph: courtesy Alice's Underground Adventures

Relive your childhood fever dreams in the real world at Alice's Adventures Underground. The much-raved-about immersive and interactive play lets you walk through the Wonderland yourself and watch the events unfold as if you were part of it all. It's making its China debut here in Shanghai with its first show in Mandarin – though, we've been told that there are minimal lines and a clear path to follow, so if you don't speak Mandarin you shouldn't have to worry too much about being lost.

📍Daning Little Manor, 666 Guangzhong Xi Lu, near Yuncheng Lu. Until Sun 12. 498RMB (Mon-Fri); 598RMB (Sat-Sun); 500RMB (family). 

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