An eclectic weekend out there in Shanghai if you're up for it. Looks like the city's is really coming to life again as we get into the summer. Here are our picks for some choice events to check out.In each category, click on through to be redirected to the SmSh MiniProgram wherein you can find everything we've got listed in a given area.

NIGHTLIFE & CLUBBING

ALTER.’s very first festival is finally coming after 5 years – May 20th Sat 2023, with 2 stages, from daytime into early morning, 10+ acts from abroad and domestic, VJ, 3D mapping, unique culinary experience by SOCIAL SUPPLY, and a cocktail market by Shanghai independent brands. "A multiple-sense experience is on." 220rmb Early Bird (SOLD OUT); 260rmb Pre-sale; 300rmb at the door. ALTER.FESTIVAL location: 535 Jinqiao, Pudong. 

DJ Kentaro: As Japan's premiere DJ/producer/scratch master-turntablist, he became Asia's first record-breaking world champion at the DMC World Final in 2002. Know to Shanghai audiences for the times he blazed up legacy basement club The Shelter (and Arkham), the world renowned DJ makes his return to Shanghai after a long break playing at System. Big line-up of support from Oreo, Jay-K, and Echoo. Tickets are 108rmb, available through System’s platform on WeChat. 

Actress “returns to China for the first time since the borders closed for a smoky, floating, heads-down, rave-up” in the basement club. The Ninja Tune producer is know for lo-fi experimentation in dance and dub music, compared to Burial or Zomby. Warm up duties to Tokyo’s Chris SSG, Syth Crush’s Illsee, and more. 150rmb with a shot at the door. 

Live Music

Antigen platform celebrates five years of deep nights in the club with a stacked bill at ALL. DJ Yousuke Yukimatsu brings his crushing blend of everything — trap, gabber, rave — to Shanghai from Osaka, joined on a bill by Palmistry performing off-kilter, superkilla dancehall. Starts 10pm. 150rmb at the door. 

Yuyintang Park goes to hell with three of China’s biggest Black Metal practitioners sharing a bill -- this is the Shanghai stop of their national tour. Nanchang depresso’s Dopamine bring shoe gaze tinges to the genre, Tai’an Dark Fount lead into more crossover terrain with their Satan worship, and Jiangxi’s Be Persecuted bring… just absolute darkness. 8:30pm. 150rmb at the door. 

Choker, the punk rock drag queen extravaganza goes LIVE with an actual backing band supporting the queens, singing all the songs themselves. “Will it be out of tune? Will the high notes crack? Will our eardrums shatter and our eyes bleed? Only one way to find out…” Expect a night of outrageous rock and punk hits on stage, loud, loud, loud. 100rmb at the door. Bar opens at 10:30pm. Band on stage at 11pm. 

Stage and Concerts

An outdoor concert on the North Bund with musicians performing movie theme songs and songs by Jay Chou on an open-air deck surrounded by candlelight. For their inaugural show at the new location the theme is "Castle in the Sky" referring to the location and the music selection featuring songs by Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi. Good for taking photos and heartwarming music with the stunning backdrop of the Bund. This event is getting positive reviews on Dianping, primarily from a younger crowd that's enjoys Instagrammable events. On the lovely May 20th, each performance will be accompanied by professional ballet dancer, with a duration of 2 songs.First arrive first serve, the event is free seating for customers who bought the tickets, so you can just show up at the event and pick a seat with your tickets, or contact the organizer to send your booking info to make sure you have the seats.

French violinist Renaud Capuçon is firmly established internationally as a major soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. He is known and loved for his poise, depth of tone and virtuosity, and he works with the world’s most prestigious orchestras, artists, venues and festivals. He and pianist Guillaume Bellom will perform at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, interpreting the masterpieces of Debussy, Ravel and Frank Violin Sonatas, and presenting the continuous surging colors and poetic dreamy moments of French Impressionist music.1 night only on May 19.

Commissioned by the Shanghai International Dance Center’s Youth Incubation program and based on the William Faulkner novel, ‘A Rose for Emily’ is director You Erge’s latest work — a combination of acrobatic, contemporary dance and body theater that challenges stereotypes of dance theater and conceptions of the body. Inspired by the Modernist literary work, the piece tells the story of a female disappearance using elements of magic realism, symbolism, and metaphor in a contemporary setting. Runs for two nights on May 19 and May 20. Starts 7:30pm.

Dining and Tastings

One of the most romantic venues in town -- beautiful terrance wine garden -- hosts a special menu for you to say "Je t’aime mon amour..." to that special someone. They've cooked up a specail four-course menu for the occasion and a la carte ordering is available if you'd like to add on some special items. Booking in advance highly recommended. Available from 5pm. see the flyer below for the menu. 520rmb per person. 

Goodfellas hosts a romantic meal on The Bund for 5-20. Classic Italain fine cuisine in a  Shanghai neighborhood for you and yours... it's all "in the name of love". Scroll down to have a look at the menu. Reservations required. Available from 5:30pm. 1520rmb per couple. 

"Calling all foodies and music lovers in Shanghai" -- SOCIAL SUPPLY collaborates with ALTER. FESTIVAL to cook up a unique dining experience for you at the fest -- The ALTER. SUPPERCLUB. SOCIAL SUPPLY invites popular street yaki Chef Fifi, formerly from Joel Robuchon's Michelin-starred restaurant, to cook up a menu featuring 10 limited-edition dishes. Drinks: Natural wine selection by Francois (SOiF), and a bespoke Peddlers Gin cocktail. One ticket includes: entrance ticket to the Alter Festival (valued at 260rmb); 10-course meal and Peddlers Gin welcome cocktail; three glasses of wine; one FEAST Festival Entrance Ticket. (FEAST Food Festival is coming back May 27-28 and June 3-4 at TX Mall.) ALTER.FESTIVAL location: 535 Jinqiao, Pudong. 

Family Friendly

SwissCham Shanghai in collaboration with the International Gourmet Club, Swiss Club and CieCAS is organizing the third Bits and Drips event on Saturday, May 20. Enjoy a gourmet experience of food and drinks around the world with fantastic F&B brands – some very healthy for body and some important for the soul. Watch professional chefs in action, get engaged, and learn from them. Create and/or decorate nice dishes, taste and try many exciting and wonderful products. Starts 2pm. 150rmb for participants above 12 years old; 75rmb for kids from 3 to 12.

Great British Day Out is a family-friendly event celebrating… yes, British culture and lifestyle. Presented by the British Chamber of Commerce, expect a relaxing day with family and friends. Picnic, pub quiz, physical activities such as rugby and Kungfu, egg and spoon race... many things to do! Participants in the pub quiz also have a chance to win two ‘Shanghai to London round-trip Premium Class’ tickets. Eyes on the prize! The event time is 11am to 5pm on May 20. Kids under the age of 4 are free to attend. Different ticket types are available, including single tickets, afternoon tea packages (2 or 3 people), and upper-class lounge passes. (If you hold the Alcohol Lounge Pass ticket, please note the bar closes at 4:30pm.)

Community Spirit

The #KeepDreamsAlive is a blood donation drive dedicated to children with blood cancer and blood disorders. Through the event, Bloodline will also support 5 sick children - provided randomly by Fudan Children’s hospital - to make their dreams come true. Venue information and QR Code to sign up on the flyer below. The event runs 9am to 3:30pm.

The Royal Asiatic Society China hosts their 2023 Spring Social. Meet current and new members, and join in for snacks and drinks. Non-members interested in joining can purchase a non-member ticket or sign up for membership in advance of the event. You can reach RAS at bookings@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn or RAS_Treasurer on WeChat for more information. 3pm to 5pm. 

...And one for the road.

RIINK turns 5 and is fueled with flower power. This year, all weekend-long, they're hosting a party -- expect sunshine, DJ music, canapés around, lots of liquid, festive atmosphere, a Hippie Rollerversary weekend celebration full of peace, love and skate. Welcome all ages and fluffy friends, come DRESS-UP to party and win a prize, hop on our hippie bus and keep the good vibes rolling. Free entry, free rides, and free drinks flying around.  Bar and kitchen open all day long with eat drink skate packages available. May born babies enjoy free skating privaledges. Happy birthday to you and to RIINK!