Shanghai’s Spectacular 2025 New Year Celebration Promises Unforgettable Magic And Elegance

Published on December 27, 2024

Celebrate the arrival of 2025 in true Shanghai flair! On December 31, Longhua Temple and the vibrant West Bund in Xuhui District will host an exciting blend of tradition and modernity, offering an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience for both locals and visitors.

This iconic “First Tour of the New Year in Shanghai” event will welcome approximately 200 international guests from countries including Germany, Japan, Indonesia, and Switzerland, adding a global touch to the festivities.

Foreign travelers are arriving on special chartered flights to take part in this grand Shanghai-style celebration.

For the first time since its inception in 1989, the event will extend to the picturesque banks of the Huangpu River. A spectacular showcase at the Gate M West Bund Dream Center—once a cement factory and now a stunning cultural landmark—will treat attendees to an extraordinary visual and cultural extravaganza.

Experience the enchantment of the Fantasy Waterfront Carnival, a two-month celebration brimming with innovative attractions like a sprawling outdoor ice rink by the riverside, mesmerizing dock light displays, a winter market, and surprise pop-up performances.

The carnival will transform the 800-meter riverside promenade into a magical wonderland, illuminated by nearly 1,000 sparkling lights. These dazzling displays will evoke the charm of snowflakes gracefully falling on a shimmering, starry river.

Elevating the festive atmosphere, China’s renowned jazz brass ensemble, Brass Band, will lead a dynamic waterfront parade featuring live music and vibrant float displays.

The New Year’s Day market will add to the allure, with over 60 charming wooden huts offering global delicacies, creating a delightful culinary journey along the illuminated riverside.

The 2025 Shanghai New Year’s First Tour will once again take center stage in the historic Longhua area.

As part of the evening’s festivities, a striking three-dimensional paper-cutting display will adorn the circular glass house in Longhua Square. This stunning folk-inspired art piece, created by Li Shoubai, a master of Shanghai-style paper-cutting and an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, will beautifully depict the essence of Xuhui and Shanghai. The artwork will seamlessly blend the city’s rich cultural heritage with the festive spirit of the New Year, capturing the hopeful aspirations for 2025.

Adding to the enchanting atmosphere, the square’s pool will sparkle with romantic river lanterns, enhancing the charm of the event.

Beloved traditions of the “Shanghai New Year’s First Tour” will also take place, including striking the iconic bronze bell at the ancient Longhua Temple, marveling at vibrant dragon and lion dances, exploring the New Year’s post office, and enjoying a symbolic bowl of noodles to welcome the New Year.

The celebration will reach its peak at midnight with the ringing of the bronze bell 108 times, a cherished tradition believed to bring good fortune and sweep away past troubles, ushering in a year of joy and prosperity.

The main stage at Longhua Square will come alive with a spectacular cultural showcase featuring dragon and lion dances, mesmerizing acrobatics, traditional Chinese music, and the captivating art of intangible cultural heritage rolling lanterns.

A vibrant winter bazaar will also take place at Longhuahui, highlighting 30 renowned time-honored brands and offering a rich array of cultural and culinary delights.

While most activities are open to all without prior booking, one exception is the highly anticipated visit to Longhua Temple on the evening of December 31.

Starting at 5 PM daily until December 30, visitors can secure their reservation slots for this exclusive experience through the official WeChat account of Xuhui Culture and Tourism.