What to expect at Shanghai Service Consumption Carnival

Shanghai will offer a wide range of technology, sports, food, shopping, and cultural experiences this summer following a warm-up event for the 2026 Shanghai Service Consumption Carnival on July 9.

As part of the 2026 Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season, the carnival will run through Oct 30. It brings together more than 100 institutions and enterprises to host more than 100 service consumption activities throughout the city.

This year's carnival features 26 major events across five themed categories: technology, culture, sports, food, and shopping center activities. Visitors can also look out for consumer coupons and merchant discounts covering dining, beauty, sports, and other lifestyle services.

Sports and nightlife

Sports enthusiasts can head to Xintiandi Ruihong in Hongkou district from July 4 to Aug 31 for the third Hak-Zajin Sports Fest. The event features more than 200 hands-on sports activities for the public. Participants can also receive exclusive discounts from nearly 100 local merchants.

For nightlife, The Stage at Sinar Mas Plaza will host a neon-lit rooftop party with sweeping views from the highest observation deck west of the Huangpu River.

Technology experiences

In partnership with the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, WAIC TechJoy will run from July 17 to 20 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center and the West Bund International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Visitors can explore cutting-edge tech products, immersive human-robot interaction experiences, smart retail displays, and cultural and creative markets.

A major highlight of the carnival will be the West Bund International Tech Consumer Carnival, or WTCC, running from Oct 22 to 25.

The four-day event will focus on real-world robot applications, AI-native entertainment, AI fashion and aesthetics, smart home and wellness experiences, AI-assisted sports and longevity technologies.

Instead of a traditional indoor exhibition, WTCC will extend across the Xuhui riverside area. Visitors can expect the TechJoy tech market, an intelligent pet park, youth-oriented themed activities, and human-machine competitions.

Food and drinks

Food lovers can check out the New Bund Beer Festival and the New Bund Coffee and Dessert Festival at New Bund Red Lane, a limited-time pedestrian street.

The beer festival will run from July 18 to 19, while the coffee and dessert festival will take place Sept 25 to 27. The beer festival will bring together 40 beer brands from around the world, offering Asian flavors and European craft beer, while the coffee and dessert festival will feature a dedicated matcha section.

From Aug 7 to 16, Xintiandi will host a restaurant week, with several restaurants offering limited-time Italian set menus.

In September, EKA Tianwu will host a beer and music festival, while Laowai Jie will host a wine festival and a Spanish festival.

Shopping complex activities

The Place in Changning district will hold a series of activities through Sept 20, including a World Cup fan festival featuring official merchandise and international cuisine, as well as a water park and several themed markets.