Shanghai Halloween Can’t Happen? Here’s What You Need to Know

Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz about whether Halloween events in Shanghai can go ahead this year. We’ve noticed some discussions online suggesting that certain celebrations might be restricted. However, it’s important to set the record straight: there was no official city-wide ban on Halloween activities in Shanghai.

What did happen is that specific areas introduced restrictions. For example, Zhongshan Park issued a late-night announcement on October 26th stating that the park would be closed from 2 p.m. on October 27th due to internal adjustments, with no reopening date specified. Similarly, Jinjiang Amusement Park posted a notice on October 27th stating that, for the safety of visitors during its “Magical Fantasy Festival,” the park would not be allowing costumed guests through November 1st.

Other areas, such as popular streets like Changle Road, might have restrictions in place to ensure that regular citizen traffic can proceed smoothly. These measures are meant to balance public safety and the city’s day-to-day functioning rather than completely ban festivities.

Interestingly, Shanghai isn’t the only city implementing such restrictions. In Japan, Shibuya district faced similar issues this year. The area was bustling with young people and tourists as usual, but far fewer people were in costume. In fact, new regulations now ban alcohol consumption on certain streets year-round, following complaints about littering and noise from previous Halloween crowds. Posters around Shibuya made it clear: “No Events for Halloween on Shibuya Streets” and “No Drinking on the Street” were prominently displayed to manage the festive activities.

That said, Halloween is still very much happening in Shanghai! There are still places within the city where you can celebrate. For instance, Cages, Disney, and Happy Valley are all hosting Halloween events.

Head to bars, private parties, or themed cafes—plenty of indoor venues are welcoming Halloween lovers with open arms. While public gatherings in some popular spots might be restricted, the spirit of Halloween is very much alive in Shanghai. So get creative, enjoy the spooky season safely, and let us know if you have any favorite activities or experiences to share!

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