As a Christmas-lover, I'm the first to welcome festive celebrations well before December. However, when Christmas chatter broke out in the 'SH Christmas' WeChat group in mid-September, I was as surprised as anyone!
Update: The links associated with this page have been removed. Please navigate to the menu (hamburger icon) at top of screen to visit the Christmas in Shanghai 2022 links.
Christmas WeChat Groups
The 'SH Christmas' WeChat groups (there are two!) have been going strong since first created in 2017. With over 700-members combined, the Christmas groups are where you can ask and find everything and anything related to Christmas (or Thanksgiving) in Shanghai.
A little over a week into November, with Halloween decorations still lurking on the mantle, we've ploughed headlong into the festive season, with five Christmas Markets scheduled before the end of November and more being announced each day. As flyers for turkey dinners, craft and cooking workshops, winter camps and gifts overflow our WeChat groups, you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed in keeping up with it all.
So to make it easier to navigate all the Thanksgiving and Christmas activities and events this year, Adventuring We Go has collaborated with The Shanghai Collective to collate all the flyers to give you 'Christmas in Shanghai - 2021'. An e-catalogue of everything you'll need to enjoy a wonderfully festive Christmas in Shanghai.
Christmas Markets
Are you still suffering from a Halloween hangover and in desperate need of some Christmas spirit? Get yourself along to one of the many Christmas markets hosted by schools and businesses throughout Shanghai. Sip a warm mulled wine or hot chocolate while perusing baked goods, decorations and gifts. If you're lucky, you may even spot Santa while you're there.
Workshops & Camps
If you and the kids are feeling crafty, or if you think you may need a few child-free days over the holiday period, check out the range of Workshops & Camps on offer.
Thanksgiving & Christmas Dinners
You've just realised your oven isn't big enough to cook the 6kg turkey you'd planned to cook for Thanksgiving dinner. Or maybe you've decided to relax and hang up your apron for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Explore the many Food & Beverage options designed to take the stress out of your festive meal planning.
Christmas Gift Guide
Is that last Taobao fail still haunting you? Shop in the warmth and comfort of your own home with the Gift Guide, a collection of flyers from small business vendors in Shanghai and beyond. Connect with the vendors and ask them about their products. Find unique and hand-crafted pieces perfect for filling Christmas stockings or giving as keepsake gifts to friends who may be leaving.
Event Calendar
If you're a Christmas fanatic planning to visit all the Christmas markets this season, the Event Calendar will be your new best friend. We've done all the scheduling for you so that you won't miss a thing.
The 'Christmas in Shanghai' e-catalogue is updated with new flyers every day. Bookmark this link or save it to your favourites so you can refer back to it whenever you need to.
This week's cold snap with a drop of 19 degrees in less than 24 hours had us all scrambling for the winter woollies. Yes, I'll whinge with the best about having to put on all those extra layers, but with the turn of the weather comes excitement. We'll soon be able to put up our Christmas tree, binge on favourite Christmas movies with my daughter and wear that Ugly Christmas Sweater without shame!
I hope this e-catalogue makes your Christmas in Shanghai a little brighter this year.
Sarah xxx
PS - If you live in Shanghai and would like to join the 'SH Christmas' WeChat group, or if you have a Thanksgiving or Christmas flyer to add to the e-catalogue, please email: sarah@adventuringwego.com
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What a great overview of markets and festive places. Thanks for gathering everything!
Thank you Ilse, it’s wonderful to know people are finding it handy!