New Year's Eve in Shanghai 2026: where to go and how to get around

Is there a countdown or fireworks on the Bund?

Not an official one, going by last year. For New Year's Eve 2025 the city kept the Bund and Lujiazui lights on until 00:15 but said it would not run a cross-river light show or use the lights for a midnight countdown. People still gather on the Bund at midnight to watch the Pudong skyline.

The fireworks and drone shows on the city's official list were in the outer districts: Wusongkou (Baoshan), Jinshan City Beach, Dishui Lake. Each is about an hour or more from the centre by metro.

Can I get to the Bund on New Year's Eve?

On foot, yes. Last year no vehicles could enter the Bund zone from 20:00 on 31 December to 01:00 on 1 January, so taxis and Didi drop you at the edge of it.

From 20:00, trains ran through East Nanjing Road (Lines 2 and 10) and Yuyuan Garden (Line 14) without stopping. Get off one or two stops earlier and walk, and check the station notices on the day, because police change the plan on the night if crowds build.

Does the Shanghai metro run late on New Year's Eve?

Some lines do. Last year Lines 1, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13 ran later than usual, but no last-train times were published in advance. The 2026 times usually come out on or just before 31 December; check the board at your station before midnight.

Where can I party on New Year's Eve in Shanghai?

Clubs, rooftop bars and hotel ballrooms all run ticketed New Year's Eve nights, and table packages sell out first. Guestlist Shanghai lists the parties, ticket prices and table packages in one place and takes table requests in English.

One example is the New Year's Eve party at Radisson Blu's Sky Dome on Thursday 31 December.

Can I hear the temple bell at midnight?

Longhua Temple marks the New Year with 108 strikes at midnight. We have not confirmed whether the public can attend in 2026 or how entry works; check the temple's own channels in December.

How cold is Shanghai on New Year's Eve?

Cold and often windy by the river: about 9°C by day and 2°C at night. Dress for standing outside for an hour or more if you are going to the Bund.

Is New Year's Day a holiday in China?

Yes. The 2027 New Year holiday is 1-3 January 2027 (3 days). 31 December 2026 is a Thursday and a normal working day, so the evening rush hour runs into the start of the night.

How do I get home after midnight?

Walk out of the closed Bund zone before you call a Didi: cars could not enter it until 01:00 last year. Expect waits for a car in the first hour after midnight, and use a late-running metro line if one serves your area. For more on late nights, see Shanghai tonight.