What's On in Shanghai: July 2018

That's Shanghai takes a look at the best events of the month.

Jul 1: Alter. Rooftop Party Season Finale ft. Tom Trago

New party company Alter. rounds out a cracking first season of events with their final daytime rooftop dance party of the summer. Headlining is Amsterdam producer Tom Trago, who deals in groove-focused house and disco and dropped his fourth full-length album, Bergen, earlier this year. China Social Club, Allen Marshall and DJ Lucy spin in support.
Jul 1, 2pm, RMB140 presale, RMB160 door. POP American Brasserie, see event listing.

Jul 1: Wild Children

Wild Children is a Lanzhou folk band that's been active over two decades and has a storied history. After losing their founder Suo Wenjun to cancer in 2004, Wild Children have since returned from a hiatus and released their latest album. Catch the celebrated band at Bandai Namco.
Jul 1, 8.30pm, RMB150 presale. Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, see event listing.

Jul 4: American Independence Day

Celebrate America’s Independence Day the right way, with BBQ and plenty of beer. Stay tuned for our full guide of places to celebrate.

Jul 4-8: Logan's Punch 4th Anniversary

Logan's Punch celebrates their 4th Anniversary with a 5-day party and some rather formidable drink deals. From Jul 4-8, all punches on the menu are 40 percent off, while RMB100 gets you a whopping 6 shots of Jameson.
Jul 4-8, no cover. Logan's Punch, see event listing.

Jul 5: Pelikan & Peddlers Vol No. 2

Pelikan head chef Kasper Pedersen teams up with Peddlers, a craft gin that fuses Eastern and Western flavors, for a one-night-only pairing menu. Experience the restaurant's Nordic cuisine paired with the Sichuan pepper, lotus flower and citrus flavors of Peddlers. Seats are limited, reservations must be made in advance.
Jul 5, 7pm, RMB488 per person. Pelikan, see event listing.

Jul 6: DJ Licaxxx

Blackbird's new location at Columbia Circle hosts DJ Licaxxx, an up-and-coming DJ and producer from Tokyo with a funky, playful sound who incorporates a wide array of samples into her house and techno sets. The writer, beatmaker and radio personality has also starred in a commercial for Microsoft Surface Pro 4.
Jul 6, 9.30-11.30pm, no cover. Blackbird, see event listing.

Jul 6-7: Red Sorghum

The Qingdao Song and Dance Theatre presents a dance opera adaption of Red Sorghum. See this celebration of the people, history and culture of Shandong province as explored in Mo Yan's novel and Zhang Yimou's film presented in a whole new way onstage.
Jul 6-7, 7.30pm, RMB180-580. Shanghai International Dance Centre Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 7: Adventures in Light and Shadow

The Czech Republic's Srnec Theatre, known as the world's first black light theater, brings their innovative Adventures in Light and Shadow show to Shanghai. For these 7 mini stories, actors make inspired use of black lights for dramatic disappearance acts and a surreal visual experience.
Jul 7, 10.30am and 3.30pm, RMB120-200. Shanghai Centre Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 7: Craft & Farmers Market

CityMoments host the first installment of their new Craft & Farmers Market at Tonglefang Square in Jing’an. Over 30 vendors will be offering food, drinks, crafts and clothes, including a consignment event where anyone can bring their clothes to sell. There will also be a bouncy castle, live music and an adoption day for dogs and cats.
Jul 7, 12-7pm. Zeitgeist Bavarian Eatery & Bar, see event listing.

Jul 7: rRoxymore

Berlin-based French producer rRoxymore deals in fresh and idiosyncratic dance music, veering between organic and synthetic, icy and warm. She's released several acclaimed EPs, most notably Thoughts of an Introvert Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in 2017 and 2018, and is performing in Shanghai at Dada thanks to dART.
Jul 7, 10pm. Dada, see event listing.

Jul 7-8: MVP Rooftop Pool Party

MVP throws a weekend-long pool party in the sumptuous rooftop space of Pudong, Shangri-La, East Shanghai. Head there for fun in the sun and DJ sets all afternoon. Cover price includes a drink.
Jul 7-8, 12-6pm, RMB150. Pudong, Shangri-La, East Shanghai, see event listing.

Jul 7-8: Little Creatures Beer Masterclass

Little Creatures Brewmaster Jum Ryan hosts an intimate workshop on beer making. the masterclass includes a 45 minutes lesson with Ryan, a 6-beer tasting paddle, 6 paired sliders, and 946ml custom labeled can of Little Creatures beer that you can pour and seal yourself.
Jul 7-8, 2.30pm, RMB258. Little Creatures Brewer's Lab, see event listing.

Jul 8: Central Studios' Summer Get Down

Central Studios hosts their annual outdoor fair, the Summer Get Down. Head over to the creative complex for over 40 vendors of original design and vintage finds, plus beats by DJ Wordy, snacks and drinks from Bird & Bitter, open hip-hop dance classes and a showcase Shen Yi’s photographic exploration of Chinese rap.
Jul 8, 12-8pm. Central Studios, see event listing.

Jul 8: DKNSTRKT Drag Makeup Free Workshop: Eye

Fantasia Valentina is a Shanghai drag performer and co-founder of gender fluid drag collective DKNSTRKT. A well-known makeup expert with her own makeup tutorial channel on Bilibili.com, Fantasia is hosting an eye makeup workshop focused on using color for dramatic effect, creating a cut crease, and applying fake eyelashes like a pro. The event is free, but you need to bring your own makeup, tools and mirror.
Jul 8, 3-5pm, no cover. The Pearl, see event listing.

Jul 11: Radwimps

The massively popular Japanese pop-rock group returns to Shanghai after their headlining set at Concrete & Grass last year. Active since 2003, the band gradually grew in popularity throughout the 2000s before shooting to fame after composing the soundtrack for 2016 anime film Your Name. Catch them live at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Jul 11, 7.30pm, RMB599-1,399. Mercedes-Benz Arena, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 11: Velvet Underground 50th Anniversary Concert

For this once-in-a-lifetime show, The Velvet Underground's John Cale visits Shanghai in honor of the groundbreaking band's 50th anniversary. He'll be playing his solo work, plus a few Velvet Underground classics, with several of China's best indie musicians, like Carsick Carís Zhang Shouwang and Chui Wanís Yan Yulong, as part of his band.
Jul 11, 7.30pm. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall, see event listing.

Jul 11: Bang Gang

Icelandic musician Bang Gang returns to Shanghai for his latest China tour. Known for his gothic vampire-esque aesthetic and his ambient soundscapes, Bang Gang released his latest album, The Wolves are Whispering, in 2015. Featuring notable vocalists like Keren Ann and Helen Marnie of Ladytron, it's been described as 'atmospheric ghost pop.'
Jul 11, 8.30pm, RMB380 presale, RMB480 door. Modern Sky Lab, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 11-22: Kinky Boots

With a book by Broadway royalty Harvey Fierstein and a score from 80s rock goddess Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots tell the inspiring true story of a struggling shoemaker in the UK who teams up with a drag queen to invent a new kind of stiletto. Don't miss this jubilant musical about friendship and breaking stereotypes.
Jul 11-22, 7.30pm, additional performance at 2pm on weekends, RMB180-980. SAIC Shanghai Culture Square, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 12: Say Yes Anniversary Part 1: Broken English Club

Shanghai underground music promoters Say Yes celebrate three years of club nights around China and Asia with a two-night birthday bash. Part 1 sees a set from Broken English Club, the most recent moniker of vital UK techno producer Oliver Ho. He's released his breed of techno shot through with elements of industrial and post-punk on labels like L.I.E.S, Cititrax and Jealous God.
Jul 12, 10pm. Elevator, see event listing.

Jul 13: Say Yes Anniversary Part 2: Batu

The second night of birthday celebrations for Shanghai underground music promoters Say Yes showcases UK producer Batu. Since his first release on Cold Recordings in 2013, the techno producer has been fine-tuning his signature dark driving sound and launched his own respected label, Timedance.
Jul 13, 10pm. Elevator, see event listing.

Jul 14: Plug Fest

This rap-focused festival in a shipping dockyard across the street from the Shanghai Children's Art Theatre boasts a winning line-up, including Chengdu superstars Higher Brothers and UK duo Stooki Sound, plus Chinese rap talent like bbno$, Young Dragon, 3Bangz, B3rich, CDE, Louie Louie, Warz, Saber, TSP, Young Gee and special guests.
Jul 14, 1.30-10pm, RMB420 presale, RMB560 door. Across the street from Shanghai Children's Art Theatre, see event listing.

Jul 14: Russian Far East Children’s Ballet: Alice in Wonderland

The Russian Far East Children's Ballet brings Lewis Carroll's classic story of discovery to vibrant life on stage. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and see all the iconic characters in ballet format. Just like Alice, you'll wonder if it was all a dream.
Jul 14, 3pm and 7.15pm, RMB180-580. Shanghai Centre Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 15: The Game of Their Lives Doc Screening

That's Shanghai's very own Ned Kelly hosts this screening of The Game of Their Lives, a documentary chronicling the 1966 Fifa World Cup, in which North Korea knocked out tournament favorite Italy to become the first Asian team to ever reach the quarter finals. Kelly, who met Pak Doo-ik, the scorer of the match-winning goal, while in Pyongyang with Koryo Tours, will share insight about the film and the players' lives after the screening.
Jul 15, 4pm, RMB85 including a drink, RMB40 for students. M Glam, see event listing.

Jul 15: Alexandre Desplat

A real treat for classical music fans and movie buffs alike, French composer and film scorer Alexandre Desplat arrives in Shanghai to conduct the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He's scored a slew of major films, including The Shape of Water, The Danish Girl, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I and II, and most recently, Isle of Dogs.
Jul 15, 7.30pm. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall, see event listing.

Jul 18: Carl Barât

Carl Barât of UK garage rockers The Libertines arrives in Shanghai for a tour with his new band Carl Barât & the Jackals. Catch some of the guitarist-vocalist's solo material and see what he's been up to since The Libertines' high profile dissolution at Modern Sky.
Jul 18, 8.30pm, RMB330 presale, RMB400 door. Modern Sky Lab, see event listing.

Jul 20-22: Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny

Staged by the Mermaid Theatre from Nova Scotia, this kid-friendly show brings to life two iconic bedtime stories. Told via adorable bunny puppets, Good Night Moon's celebration of bedtime rituals and The Runaway Bunny's tale of motherly love will soothe and delight little ones and adults alike.
Jul 20-22, English versions: Sat Jul 21, 2.30pm or Sun Jul 22, 10.30am. Chinese versions: Fri Jul 20, 7.30pm, RMB180-480. Shanghai Children's Art Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 21: Hologram Dreams

For the latest Hologram Dreams party at Dada, DJs Finascia and Heatwolves take you on a journey through 'city-pop,' Italo, disco, Cantopop, club trax and more with rare anime visuals.
Jul 21, 9pm, no cover. Dada, see event listing.

Jul 21-22: Sweet Mandarin

This evocative true story by playwright and chef Helen Tse chronicles three generations of the women in her family between Guangzhou, Hong Kong and England. Tse brings to life history via food as she tells the story of how she became a chef. The performance is in Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles.
Jul 21-22, 2pm, additional performance at 7.30pm on Jul 21, RMB80-280. 1862 Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 22: Brasil in Trio

Zilong Brazil, a new promotion company from Ale Amazonia of Shanghai Punk band Dirty Fingers, holds their first tour with bossa nova group Brasil in Trio. Active since 2007, they have an innovative take on traditional Brazilian genres like Choro, Samba, Maxixe, Maracatu, and Bossa-Nova. Additional performances on July 24 at Shake Club and July 25 at Coffee Coneo.
Jul 22, 9pm, RMB60 presale, RMB80 door. Yuyintang, see event listing.

Jul 25-31: Cats

Andrew Lloyd Webber's quirky masterpiece Cats is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history. Since its premiere in 1981, it has been staged in over 30 countries, translated into 15 languages and seen by over 73 million people worldwide. With its timeless soundtrack, breathtaking choreography and of course the unforgettable show tune 'Memory,' it is a musical like no other.
July 25-31, 7.30pm, additional performance at 2pm on weekends, RMB380-1080. Shanghai Grand Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 26: National Theatre Live: Hamlet (Screening)

The UK's acclaimed National Theatre presents a summertime screening of this year's staging of the Shakespeare classic. None other than Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the title role for this performance with themes about war, family and mental illness that are more timely than ever.
Jul 26, Aug 10 and Aug 31, 7pm, RMB100-200. Huangpu Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 28-Aug 4: Shanghai Ballet: Swan Lake

Directed by acclaimed choreographer Derek Deane of the English National Ballet, this revamped production of Swan Lake reinterprets the classic. Instead of the usual 16 swans, there are 48 swans in this unique production. The Shanghai Ballet company brings a poetic magic to the stage with sumptuous costumes and sets.
Jul 28-Aug 4, 7.30pm, RMB80-680. Shanghai International Dance Centre Theatre, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 29: Kashmere

UK indie rock quartet Kashmere comes to Shanghai as part of a China tour. The up-and-coming group blends classic stadium rock with synthpop for a smooth, unique sound. Catch their show at Yuyintang Park.
Jul 29, 9pm, RMB120 presale, RMB150 door. Yuyintang Park, see event listing, buy tickets.

Jul 31: HONNE

Split Works rounds out a huge summer of shows with Honne's debut China tour. The UK duo deal in a sensual, future-forward sound that spans R&B and electronic music. Their anticipated second album, Love Me / Love Me Not, drops next month.
Jul 31, 8.30pm, RMB280 presale, RMB320 door. Modern Sky Lab, see event listing, buy tickets.

For more things to do in Shanghai, check out our Events Section.

Get more Shanghai event guides sent directly to your phone (along with restaurant reviews, giveaways and other goodies) by adding Thats_Shanghai on WeChat, liking us on Facebook or subscribing to our weekly newsletter.

If you have an event, upload it to our site through our User Center. It's free, it's easy and it's the best way to get into one of our Event Guides.