The city of Shanghai is synonymous with coffee. On April 30, the 2026 Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival will bring the world's coffee to your doorstep.

The festival theme is "Savor the World in Shanghai." The main venue is set along the North Bund waterfront, where a 2.3-kilometer riverside stretch will be transformed into a fully open street market.

Nearly 50 flagship events will take place, with over 6,000 merchants participating. Close to 200 top global coffee brands will gather, alongside more than 40 high-level international coffee competitions held concurrently.

The main venue is divided into four sections: International Zone, Industry Chain Zone, Cross-industry Integration Zone and Interactive Experience Zone.

It blends intangible cultural heritage crafts, revitalized time-honored brands, film and music, as well as gaming and esports.

A dedicated interactive leisure area will feature activities such as "Vendor for a Day," real-life claw machines and fun fishing experiences. The space also incorporates floral displays, light installations and illustration art.

Visitors can enjoy offline events themed around Honor of Kings, a football experience zone, and even try special soy milk coffee that fuses premium coffee with Shanghai's century-old intangible heritage tofu-making techniques – creating a refreshingly unique flavor experience.

The Shanghai-Inspired Coffee Challenge has launched a haipai-style (Shanghai style) creative competition format, inviting both domestic and international coffee brands to compete alongside local creators.

In terms of spatial design, 10 coffee-themed art installations have been established throughout the city.

On the cultural consumption front, the festival has collaborated with nearly 100 cinemas across the city to provide ticket stub discounts, purchase rewards, and themed "coffee check-in" spots.

Additionally, it has partnered with over 90 bookstores to host poster exhibitions, release curated coffee reading lists, and organize skill competitions.

This year, the festival will collaborate with the Shanghai International Illustration Art Expo 2026, ShenWave Music Festival, and the Shanghai Jinshan City Beach International Music Fireworks Show.

One of the best perks is that over 100 million yuan (US$1.46 billion) in consumer subsidies will cover ride-hailing vouchers, coffee discounts and cultural merchandise. These benefits are supported by Jinjiang International, China Construction Bank, Amap, Taobao, Tmall, Meituan, Douyin and Ant Group – so be sure to check these apps and grab your coupons.

The public welfare initiative "Your First Coffee in Shanghai" will set up service points at airports and train stations, offering free coffee to arriving travelers and international visitors. It's a warm welcome that reflects the city's openness, inclusiveness and friendliness – letting visitors feel Shanghai's hospitality from the very first sip.

Multiple sub-venues across the city will host their own themed events.

• Lingang will feature original handicraft markets, drone shows, fireworks, intangible heritage fish lantern parades and new landmark experiences around Dishui Lake.
• Qingpu District will combine coffee markets with Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River) cultural heritage, automotive crossovers, trendy performances and agricultural experiences.
  
• Jing'an District will create immersive and playful leisure experiences.
  
• Pudong New Area will host the Lujiazui Coffee Festival in Lujiazui Financial City.
  
• Huangpu District will introduce themed "coffee check-in" experiences at Sinan Reading Club, the Used Book Fair and citywide reading events.
  
• Xuhui District will host a Coffee Lifestyle Festival at the West Bund Dome Art Center, featuring nearly 100 international beauty brands.
  
• Putuo District will launch the Suzhou Creek Art Life Season.
  
• Minhang District will highlight aerospace technology with a "space-themed" coffee market.
  
• Jinshan District will blend coffee culture with football events, fireworks and coastal experiences.
  
• Songjiang District will create an immersive coffee carnival in Thames Town.
  
• Fengxian District will host sunset parties set in pastoral landscapes.
  
• Chongming District will center its events around "flowers + coffee + hanfu (Han Dynasty clothing)," including hanfu showcases and nighttime riverside performances.

Date: April 30 to May 4

Venue: North Bund waterfront