The top 10 things to do this weekend in Shanghai

Photograph: courtesy XSPACE

We're a week into December and a week closer to Christmas. Fact check all you want, those calculations add up. However, before you think about getting festive, there is a lot of drinking to be done this weekend with three quality boozy events taking place on Saturday. Don't drink? No problem! There are Christmas markets, a drag party and a charity clothing drive. Read on for our picks for the weekend.

The Annual Shanghai LGBT Drag Party

Photograph: Rochelle Brown via Unsplash

The Annual Shanghai LGBT Drag Party encourages you to 'cross sex', 'cross boundaries' and even 'cross species'. Free entry for all those in full drag and the party will rage on into the early hours with music from DJs Giuolio P and Lina K.

📍Lucca, 390 Panyu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. Sat 8. 9pm-late. 100RMB (includes one drink); free entry before 11pm for those in full drag.

Charity Clothing Drive at The Rooster

Photograph: Annie Spratt via Unsplash

Donate your old and unwanted clothes at The Rooster's clothing drive. All items will go to The Renewal Center. They're looking for jackets, coats, trousers, shoes and more – all donations need to be in good wearable condition. Donate and get a free pint of Vedett beer. 

📍The Rooster, 455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Sat 8-Sun 9. 3.30pm-late. Free.

Ambient Night

Photograph: courtesy Swimful

Brilliant organisers the Hippo Tank are back with a super chill night of music at cool new creative hub Subland. Swimful, Charm and Far Infinity will be performing.

📍Subland, Bldg 8, 51 Runan Jie, near Zhizaoju Lu. Fri 7. 7-10pm. 40RMB. 

Stevie Forever at Heyday

Photograph: courtesy Heyday

Heyday and Ginger Kwan present two nights dedicated to one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time, Stevie Wonder. Expect classic tunes and deeper cuts in this intimate jazz club, performed by Ginger and backed by Oleg Roschin, Joseph Han and Charlie Foldesh. Table booking or early arrival highly recommended.

📍Heyday, 50 Taian Lu, near Xingguo Lu. Fri 7-Sat 8. 10pm-2am. 100RMB. 

Elevator Out x MEDUSA

Photograph: courtesy XSPACE

Elevator teams up with Medusa for an underground queer pop-up at the ultra-trendy XSPACE. Expect drag queens, heaps of glitter and dance floor debauchery. With ecstatic house, disco and techno served up by Michael Cignarale, Mau Mau and Diamond Lil, plus visuals from VJNY.

📍XSPACE, 77 Jiangning Lu, near Fengxian Lu. Fri 7. 11pm-5am. 80RMB. 

Community Center Shanghai Christmas Bazaar

Photograph: courtesy Community Center Shanghai

Support international charities and give back to the community at this Christmas bazaar organised by not-for-profit Community Center Shanghai (CCS). There'll be about 60 gift and food vendors, and visitors can shop for Christmas decorations and handmade crafts as well as sample food from around the world.

📍Shanghai Racquet Club, 555 Jinfeng Lu, near Baole Lu. Fri 7. 10am-3pm. Free. 

HAI Spirits

Photograph: courtesy BottlesXO

HAI Spirits, the mini-festival series by BottlesXO, is back for a Christmas edition this season. Slurp on boozy pumpkin spiced lattes, 'spiked' mulled wine and beer cocktails made with Stone Brewing's hoppy craft brews, all while supporting a worthy cause – proceeds will go to Heart to Heart Shanghai. 

📍Stone Brewing Tap Room, 1107 Yuyuan Lu, near Jiangsu Lu. Sat 8. 4pm-midnight. 50RMB per cocktail; 150RMB to sample five different cocktails.

Cider Bomb

Photograph: Elevate via Unsplash

Get your cider on at Comma, with a host of ciders from Coldstream Brewery and various prizes to be won.

📍Comma, 178 Xinle Lu, near Donghu Lu. Sat 8. 5pm-late. Free. 

Romeo & Juliet

Photograph: Annie Spratt via Unsplash

The classic Shakespearean tragedy of two star-crossed lovers entangled in a family feud is reinterpreted by Theatre Anon and East West Theatre in an all-female cast. Watch actresses take on traditionally male roles in this modern-day enactment of the 16th-century play.

📍FULU Modern Cantonese Restaurant, Fourth Floor, 758 Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu. Thu 6-Sat 8. 7.30-10pm on Thu and Fri; 3-5.30pm, 7-9.30pm on Sat. 250RMB; 200RMB (presale); 180RMB (concession). Extract QR code to purchase tickets. 

Qiu Anxiong: Mythological Creatures, New Classic of Mountains and Seas

Photograph: courtesy Modern Art Base

Modern Art Base presents the acrylic paintings from Qiu Anxiong's ambitious and frightening animation trilogy New Classic of Mountains and Sea, which took 13 years to make. Inspired by an ancient Chinese cosmography of the same title, Qiu tells a dystopic story of a land overrun by mythical creatures.

📍Modern Art Base, Bldg 2, 10 Jianguo Zhong Lu, near Chongqing Nan Lu. Until Sun 16. 11am-7pm (Tue-Sun). Free. 

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