The best things to do this weekend in Shanghai

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets (Bohemian Betyars)

Time to get your costumes ready – Halloween is just around the corner and festivities are kicking off early in Shanghai this weekend with a themed pet adoption day at Charlie's and the release of the Maleficent sequel. Halloween not your vibe? Shanghai French Week starts today (Fri 18), it's the last week to catch German photographer and astronaut-in-training Michael Najjar's solo show Outer Space and Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen will bring her Dedicated Tour to town. Here are our top picks.

Charity Clothing Drive at The Rooster

Photograph: Junko Nakase via Unsplash

Donate any clothes that you won't or can't wear this weekend at The Rooster and receive a free pint of Vedett. It's on the lookout for jackets, coats, pants, shoes and other items in good wearable condition, and unused underwear and socks. All donated clothes will go to the Renewal Centre.

📍The Rooster, 455 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Until Sun 20. 3.30pm-late.

Howl-O-Ween Hounds Pet Adoption Day

Photograph: Krista Mangulsone via Unsplash

Charity organisation BarkForLife is holding a Halloween pet adoption day at its usual spot at Charlie's. BarkForLife was founded this year by graduates of Shanghai Singapore International School and hosts monthly pet adoptions.

📍Charlie's Burger, 89 Changshu Lu, near Changle Lu. Sun 20. 1-5pm. Free entry.

Carly Rae Jepson: The Dedicated Tour

Photograph: @carlyraejepson via Instagram

Carly Rae Jepsen is bringing The Dedicated Tour to Bandai Namco Shanghai Base Dream Hall. Hear the pop star's earworms live, including 'I Really Like You' and the Grammy-nominated hit 'Call Me Maybe'.

📍Bandai Namco Shanghai Base Dream Hall, 179 Yichang Lu, near Jiangning Lu. Sun 20-Mon 21. 7.30-9.30pm (Sun); 8-10pm (Mon). Sold out. Extract the QR code for more info.

Shanghai French Week

Photograph: courtesy Alliance Française de Shanghai

An event for all the francophiles out there: Shanghai French Week will see a pedestrian street filled with stalls selling French breads, pastries, chocolates, wines, cheeses, cosmetics and textiles. Organised by the Huangpu Government and the Consulate General of France in Shanghai, the event will also have music performances and a pétanque competition that you can register for by adding contact '139 1744 2257' on WeChat.

📍Yandang Lu Pedestrian Street, near Huaihai Zhong Lu. Until Sun 20. 11am-8.30 (Fri-Sat); 11am-7.30pm (Sun). Free entry.

Bohemian Betyars China Tour

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

Bohemian Betyars is a fiddler band with a purpose to spread the feeling of bitter revelry as far as possible. Self-described as speed-folk freak-punk, its music has evolved into a mixture that includes punk, ska and melodic themes all spiced up with Hungarian, Balkanic and Gipsy elements.

📍LOFAS, B1-09, 230 Ruiping Lu, near Wanping Nan Lu. Sun 20. 8.30-10.30pm. 240RMB; 180RMB (presale). Extract the QR code to book.

The Secret Myth of Dune

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

A Dark Circus returns to Candor with The Secret Myth Of Dune, an immersive experience of the Arabian Nights story combined with twisted noir lore.

📍Candor, Third Floor, Lyceum Theatre, 57 Maoming Nan Lu, near Changle Lu. Fri 18-Sat 19. 10pm-midnight. 200RMB; 180RMB (presale). Extract the QR code to book.

Michael Najjar: Outer Space

Photograph: Michael Najjar, courtesy BANK Gallery

This surreal exhibition showcases photos by German artist Michael Najjar under the theme of space exploration and its implications on future life. With some snaps taken during Najjar's training to be the first artist to travel into space, and some synthesised from footage of his excursions with archive photos, the show is a critique on the efforts humans are making to find a liveable environment in outer space while destroying the one we have on Earth.

📍BANK Gallery, Basement, Bldg 2, 298 Anfu Lu, near Changshu Lu. Until Fri 27 (Tue-Sun). 10.30am-6.30pm. Free entry.

Scott Henderson Trio

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

Since the years of Tribal Tech, and into successful albums like Well to the Bone or the most recent, Vibe Station, considered by many as his masterpiece, LA's Scott Henderson has been at the top of his generation for decades.

📍Blue Note Shanghai, Third-Fifth Floors, Citic Plaza, 867 Sichuan Bei Lu, near Haining Lu. Sat 19-Sun 20. 7.30-9.30pm, 10pm-midnight (Sat); 6.30-8.30pm (Sun). 160RMB-360RMB. Extract the QR code to book.

Moulin Dream Immersive Cabaret Theatre

Photograph: courtesy 247tickets

Follow six storylines and see actors roam freely throughout the theatre, treating the audience to spontaneous performances and impromptu interactive opportunities. This show is in both Mandarin and English.

📍The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, near Wujin Lu. Until Sun 10 Nov. 7-9pm. From 680RMB. Extract the QR code to book.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Image: courtesy Walt Disney Pictures

Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and soon-to-be-queen Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) have to join forces despite their complicated past in order to fight against a new villain and protect their kingdom and the magical creatures inside of it. Read the full Time Out review here.

📍On general release.

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