Shanghai Kids Events This Weekend February 28th - March 1st 2026

February 28th - March 1st 2026ChinaLast updated: Recently

This weekend (Feb 28th & Mar 1st, 2026) in Shanghai features some fantastic limited-run seasonal fun, including the dazzling Yu Garden Lantern Festival, plus creative classes and scenic city views perfect for family outings.

See our top picks
Best Free

Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Various stops

Use this flexible bus tour to sightsee without tiring out the kids.

Rainy Day Sorted

Shanghai LEGO Discovery Center Entry Ticket

Legoland Discovery Center

Guaranteed indoor fun building and playing with LEGOs.

Best for Little Kids

Smurf Land Theme Park

Smurf Land Theme Park

An interactive park perfect for younger visitors at the Sheshan resort.

13 events this weekend

· February 28

4

: The famous Yu Garden Lantern Festival is running through the weekend! Expect dazzling light displays themed around the Chinese New Year traditions, turning the area into a glowing wonderland.This is a major, limited-time cultural event happening right now, making it the top seasonal attraction.

📍Yu Garden, Huangpu District (implied)· Nightly · All ages · From $10 (Combo price)

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages

Yu Garden Lantern Festival 2026

The Yuyuan Lantern Festival is a vibrant display of traditional lanterns and light shows, perfect for a magical family outing in Shanghai.

WhenSaturday, February 28, Nightly
WhereYuyuan Garden
PriceFrom $10 (Combo price)
Visit Website Get Directions

: Experience Jiangnan New Year traditions at this sprawling outdoor fair running this Saturday! It offers a great mix of local culture, games, and food stalls.It's a weekend-only, limited-run cultural fair focusing on CNY traditions, making it timely.

📍Panlong Tiandi, Chengci Lawn, Qingpu District (implied by Panlong)· All ages

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages

Panlong Tiandi Chinese New Year Dragon Horse Fair

The Panlong Dragon Horse Fair brings a taste of Jiangnan New Year traditions to an outdoor space with traditional crafts, regional goods, and seasonal customs like calligraphy and sugar painting, offering a hands-on way to experience local heritage for families and visitors.

WhenFridays to Sundays and public holidays, from January 23 to March 3, 11am-9pm
WherePanlong Tiandi (Phase 1), 1366 Panlong Lu, near Tianshan Xi Lu, Qingpu District
PriceFree entrance
Visit Website Get Directions

: This is your last chance! Enjoy riverside skating with weekend figure skating shows and a signature 'falling snow' moment. A scenic, wintry experience before it closes for the season on Saturday.The absolute last day this event is running is Saturday, Feb 28th.

📍Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, North Bund· Daily skating sessions · All ages · From ¥ 120

🌳outdoor⚽sportAll ages

North Bund Riverside Ice Skating Festival

This riverside ice rink brings winter vibes to the North Bund with daily skating sessions and a signature “falling snow” moment by the water, making it a scenic spot for families.

WhenDaily until Feb 28, 10am-9pm, with 7 distinct 1.5-hour sessions available per day.
WhereShanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, 500 Dongdaming Lu, near Lvshun Lu, Hongkou District
Price120-280rmb range; Child tickets (3-12 yrs) are RMB 120, Family tickets available.
Visit Website Get Directions

EDAY TOWN : A unique role-playing center where kids aged 3-13 get to try out adult jobs! Saturday admission is ¥180.An educational role-play center tailored specifically for school-aged children running Saturday.

📍Eday Town, Minhang District· 10:00 - 14:00 · 3 to 13 years · CNY180

· March 1

1

Also On· anytime this weekend

8

: Catch the BFC section of the massive Yuyuan Lantern Festival coverage this Sunday! This installation is part of the larger celebration turning the neighborhood into a glowing exhibition until March 3rd.It's part of the same highly relevant, limited-time cultural festival, offering a different perspective on the lights.

📍BFC🔄 Recurring· All ages

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages

2026 Yuyuan Lantern Festival-BFC Fashion Trends Lantern Zone

The event is a large-scale lantern festival spanning several areas, including the BFC zone which features a festive garden fair with POP MART characters in Year of the Horse outfits, offering a blend of traditional lanterns and modern collectible toys for families.

WhenDaily until Mar 3; specific performances run on select dates between Feb 13 and Mar 1, see page for full schedule.
WhereThe Bund Finance Center (BFC), 600 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Renmin Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
PriceAdult 80 RMB | Child and senior 50 RMB | BFC zone: FREE
Visit Website Get Directions

: Enroll the little ones (4-9) in a trial art class at MCAA using their unique five-dimensional system to boost creativity. Perfect for a focused indoor activity.Specifically caters to younger kids and is running all weekend.

📍MCAA (Meraki Contemporary Art Academy)🔄 Recurring· 4–9 years · From ¥ 69

🏠indoor🎨workshop5-11 yrs

Art for Kids (Ages 4–9) – Trial Class

This trial class at MCAA introduces children aged 4-9 to visual arts through a structured, project-based journey utilizing the VAKED Five-Dimensional Art Education System.

WhenDaily except Mon & Tue until Mar 23, Time: By Appointment
WhereMCAA (Meraki Contemporary Art Academy), C108, Painters Street, 218 Wending Lu, near Yishan Lu, Xuhui District
Price69rmb
BookingRequired — book in advance
Book Tickets Get Directions

: This exhibition focusing on the art of timekeeping is on its final day this Sunday. It's a visually rich way to spend a couple of hours indoors.It's the final day (March 1st) for this art exhibition.

📍No. 1 Waitanyuan🏛️ Permanent· All ages · From ¥ 150

🏠indoor🖼️exhibitionAll ages

Art Shanghai European National Treasures Presents Touching Infinity: Art Beyond Time

This exhibition features over 160 treasured timekeeping pieces from the 14th century to the present day, tracing the evolution of civilization and exquisite craftsmanship that families interested in history and art will appreciate.

WhenDec 8 - Mar 1 (Closed on Feb 16 - 19), 10:30am-5:30pm (Last Entry: 5pm)
WhereNo. 1 Waitanyuan, No. 1 Waitanyuan, 33 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nan Suzhou Lu, Huangpu District
Price150-528rmb (Family Pass 2 Adults + 1 Child: RMB 220; One child under 6 or 1.2m enters free with General Admission ticket)
BookingRequired — book in advance
Book Tickets Get Directions

: Take the family for a complete chocolate tour, including a documentary on cocoa. What kid (or adult!) doesn't love a chocolate factory experience?A permanent, high-interest attraction available both days.

📍Zotter Chocolate Theatre🏛️ Permanent· All ages · From ¥ 288

🏠indoor🏛️museumAll ages

Zotter Chocolate Experience

The Zotter Chocolate Theatre in Shanghai allows visitors to immerse themselves in Austrian chocolate culture, taste hand-scooped chocolates, and create their own custom chocolate bars at the popular mixing bar station.

WhenNot explicitly stated, likely a permanent attraction based on context.
WhereZotter Chocolate Theatre, Shanghai Fashion Center, Shanghai, China (Specific address not fully provided, only location context)
PriceNot explicitly stated, but costs are mentioned for other Zotter experiences, so likely not free.
BookingRequired — book in advance
Book Tickets Get Directions

: A guaranteed hit indoors for Sunday afternoon fun, this indoor amusement park lets kids play with thousands of LEGO bricks.A reliable, weatherproof activity for Sunday.

📍Legoland Discovery Center🏛️ Permanent· All ages · From ¥ 199

🏠indoor🎯otherAll ages

Shanghai LEGO Discovery Center Entry Ticket

The Shanghai LEGO Discovery Center is an indoor amusement park built with LEGO bricks, offering a 2-3 hour play experience across 12 themed areas designed to stimulate children's imagination and creativity.

WhenMon-Fri: 10:30am-6:30pm (last entry 5:45pm); Sat-Sun: 10am-8pm (last entry 7:15pm); CNY Adjusted Hours: Feb 16: 10am–4pm; Feb 17–23: 10am–8pm
WhereLegoland Discovery Center, 2/F, Parkside Plaza, 168 Daduhe Lu, near Yunling Dong Lu, Putuo District
PriceStarting from 199rmb; Children 90cm tall and under, as well as children aged 3 and under, can enter for free.
BookingRequired — book in advance
Book Tickets Get Directions

: Explore 12 permanent exhibitions, including the World of Robots and Children's Playground. It’s open all weekend for family learning.A huge, engaging indoor museum open on Saturday with specific sections for children.

📍Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Pudong🏛️ Permanent· 9:00-17:30 · Kids and adults · CNY60 for adults, CNY20 for children under 1.2m

🏠indoor🏛️museumAll ages

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a major venue for science and technology exhibitions and activities, offering engaging experiences that are enjoyable for families and children.

WhenTuesday to Sunday, 9:00am - 5:00pm (Closed on Mondays except on national holidays)
WhereShanghai Science and Technology Museum, 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
PriceSee 'Tickets' section; on-site sales available, hotline provided for inquiries
Visit Website Get Directions

: See giant pandas and golden monkeys at the zoo! They are operating on winter hours (closing at 4:30 PM) this Saturday.The zoo is open and operating on its end-of-winter schedule this Saturday.

📍Shanghai Zoo, Changning Area🏛️ Permanent· 7:00-16:30 (Winter Hours) · Kids · CNY30, free for children under 1.2m

🌳outdoor🌿natureAll ages

Shanghai Zoo

Shanghai Zoo is a modern metropolitan zoological garden, perfect for families due to its wide array of animals, including giant pandas, and visitor-friendly design.

WhenYear-round operating hours with seasonal variations: Nov 1 - Feb 28: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM); Mar 1 - Oct 31: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM).
WhereShanghai Zoo (Shanghai Xijiao Zoo), No. 2381 Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai
Price40 RMB for adults, 20 RMB for children/seniors (discounted tickets mentioned as available)
Visit Website Get Directions

: Explore Shanghai's landmarks at your own pace on a hop-on, hop-off bus this Sunday. It’s a relaxing way to see the city highlights without exhausting little legs.A flexible sightseeing option available both days, perfect for families.

📍Various stops, City-wide📸 Tourist favourite· Operating between 9:45-17:15 (Blue Line) · Great idea to bring kids · From $13 (Based on Aggregator Price)

🌳outdoor🎯otherAll ages

Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus Tour

The Shanghai Sightseeing Bus offers a convenient hop-on, hop-off way for travelers, including families, to see the city's most popular sites over one or two days.

WhenDaily operation with varying schedules by line (e.g., City Sightseeing Lines run from 9:00/10:00 to 16:00/21:30 depending on the route).
WhereVarious stops across Shanghai, China, including major landmarks like The Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, and Yu Garden; no single fixed venue address is provided for the whole service.
PriceCNY 60 for 24 hours or CNY 80 for two-day pass on one set of lines; CNY 100 for 24 hours or CNY 180 for 48 hours on another set; CNY 50 for 24 hours or CNY 60 for 48 hours on a third set; no specific kids discounts mentioned.
Visit Website Get Directions

Frequently Asked Questions

What free kids events are on in Shanghai this weekend?

Based on the listings, there are no confirmed completely free events running on Feb 28th or Mar 1st, 2026. Many museums (like the Public Security Museum) are free generally, but operating days must be checked.

Which weekend events are closing this Saturday?

The North Bund Riverside Ice Skating Festival is ending on Saturday, February 28th, so this is your final chance to catch the rink and shows.

Are there any unique cultural experiences available for the family?

Yes! The Yu Garden Lantern Festival is running through Sunday, and the Panlong Tiandi Chinese New Year Dragon Horse Fair is on Saturday, offering great local holiday atmosphere.

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