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June Xia

Young people’s passion for live performances is redefining the concept of “Night Shanghai” as they spend their nights immersed in theatres, where they socialise with friends or collect show-related items.
“I haven’t seen another city where you can walk just a few steps in the city centre and find a theatre,” said 22-year-old Shanghai resident Cindy Huang.
Spending around 300 yuan (US$41.77) per show, the university student allocates nearly 80 per cent of her living expenses to attending three to four performances a week and related activities.
The city government announced a series of events dubbed “Wonderful Night Shanghai” late last month, in its latest Night Economy 2.0 initiative.
Building on the supportive measures announced in April 2019 for Night Economy 1.0, it added four new initiatives to bolster the night economy, including “optimising the approval and filing process for nighttime activities” and “enriching nighttime neighbourhood cultural and entertainment activities”.

The authorities view boosting the night economy as a powerful engine that could give a considerable boost to consumption as China prioritises stronger demand-side stimulus in the hope of offsetting the negative impacts brought about by the trade war with the United States. It is also eager to stimulate the domestic economy, which has been hit by a reluctance to spend amid deflationary pressures.
According to data released last month by the Fudan University Big Data Laboratory, the value of Shanghai’s nighttime consumption in the first half of the year reached 88 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.3 per cent.
A report that singled out three major groups of consumers in Shanghai, which was released by the Shanghai Observer think tank in May, showed that Generation Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – dominates nighttime cultural and entertainment consumption with its spending on immersive theatre, small underground venues featuring live music, midnight pop-up bars and other emerging diversions.
The increase in foot traffic driven by the popularity of performances has also led to a boost in spending on activities such as dining and shopping in commercial districts. Over 80 per cent of respondents to a survey by the think tank said they engaged in additional consumption beyond ticket purchases while attending performances, with around 40 per cent spending the equivalent of the ticket price on peripheral products and nearly 30 per cent spending double that amount.
Shanghai’s live performance scene is distinctive and thriving
Cindy Huang, Shanghai university student
Huang said it was a naturally occurring phenomenon. After watching a nighttime performance, people would gather with friends at a pub or restaurant to share their experiences or buy souvenirs, leading to additional consumption beyond the cost of tickets.
“Shanghai’s live performance scene is distinctive and thriving, bolstered by the city’s rich history and abundant supply of cultural offerings, setting it apart from other cities in China,” she said.
At a symposium on the development of Shanghai’s nighttime economy on Monday, Zhu Min, the head of the city’s Commerce Commission, said the development of the nighttime economy should focus on four key areas, according to a post on the commission’s WeChat account on Tuesday. They included prioritising the cultivation and introduction of new formats and models, innovating new nighttime consumption scenarios, and creating 24-hour “Night Shanghai” consumption landmarks.
The Wonderful Night Shanghai campaign also announced the first batch of “Popular Nighttime Economy Landmarks” and five “Top Nightlife Destinations”, designating key areas for the development of unique nighttime economy zones.
However, not everyone has fully embraced the concept. A post on the RedNote social media platform discussing the campaign to boost the nighttime economy attracted hundreds of critical comments. Concerns raised included limited subway operating hours, noise from street performances having a negative impact on nearby communities, and the persistent strain that prolonged work for unsatisfying pay was placing on residents.
“Why bother going out at night? No money to spend, working 996 [9am to 9pm, six days a week],” one user commented. “Low prices are what matter – otherwise, no one can afford to spend.”


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In its Night Economy 2.0 initiative, the city government has announced a series of events dubbed ‘Wonderful Night Shanghai’


In its Night Economy 2.0 initiative, the city government has announced a series of events dubbed ‘Wonderful Night Shanghai’.


Gen Z’s passion for live performances drives nighttime consumption in Shanghai

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}In its Night Economy 2.0 initiative, the city government has announced a series of events dubbed ‘Wonderful Night Shanghai’

In its Night Economy 2.0 initiative, the city government has announced a series of events dubbed ‘Wonderful Night Shanghai’