The 2025 Shanghai Confucius Culture Festival will open on Sept 20 at the historic Jiading Confucius Temple, one of Shanghai's best-preserved temples honoring the great philosopher and educator Confucius (551-479 BC).
Visitors will enjoy activities that combine classical tradition with modern creativity.
Exhibitions inside the temple will showcase Confucian classics and the "Ten Disciples of Confucius," offering insights into the teachings that have shaped Chinese culture for more than two millennia.
Evening highlights include parades of hanfu or traditional Chinese attire, beginning from Jiading South Street at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm, where flowing robes and live music will evoke scenes from ancient riverside life.
A waterfront concert will feature tea cruises at 7:40 pm and 8:20 pm, blending classical instruments with lantern-lit reflections to create a Song Dynasty (960-1279) atmosphere.
Zhouqiao Old Street will host the Half-Hour to Love Jiading comic show through Sept 28 and National Trend Ensemble flash performances on Sept 20.
A festival market opening at 6:30 pm will offer Confucius-themed crafts, bilingual coffee cups and seasonal treats.