Spending Christmas as an expat in Shanghai can sometimes be difficult: thousands of miles away from your family and missing the festive traditions of your home country. However, Shanghai actually has plenty to offer if you know where to look. It’s easy to liven up your apartment with ornaments (and even a real Christmas tree), and get into the seasonal spirit with festive concerts and markets. Here is our guide to making the most of Christmas in Shanghai this year.

1. Christmas Decorations

Pimping your place with Christmas glitz is the best way to feel festive. HOLA home furnishings in Super Brand Mall has a nice selection (address and map here), and Metro City in Xujiahui is great for fairy lights (see map and address here).

Getting your hands on a real Christmas tree may take a while  and be pricey (up to 900 RMB at Rose Gallica on Ferguson Lane; The Graces Floral on Donghu Lu is selling real, imported ones, but you have to order them 20 days in advance and at a cost) so we advise to go faux. The added bonus is that it’s easier than clearing up pine needles for the next month. Some of the nicest fake trees are to be found at Au Nom de la Rose starting at 300 RMB. They’ll add roses and lights at your request. IKEA’s offerings are a 120 cm tree for 129 RMB and a 180 cm for 299 RMB. When you’re there, don’t forget to pick up some ginger cookies and Christmas scented candles (see address and map here).

The Graces FloralView In Map
Add: 7 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市东湖路7号，近淮海路

Au Nom de la Rose View In Map
Add: 122 Jianguo Xi Lu, near Shanxi Nan Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市建国西路122号，近陕西南路

2. Shopping

If you’re actually making it back to your homeland for Christmas, you need to start thinking about gifts. The folks are probably tired of knock-off bags from the fake market, novelty kuaizi and endless sachets of tea, so it’s time to get original. Likewise, if you’re sticking around for the festive season, there are boyfriend/girlfriend/colleagues to buy for, so you’re not off the hook.

Dongtai Lu Antique Market (see address and map here) has some quirky gift options like Mao statues, jade figurines, and vintage tins and bowls. For the same sort of thing but, well, nicer, try Madame Mao’s Dowry (address and map here). If your nearest and dearest like hipster kitsch, buy their gifts at Mrkt  which is famous for its original, contemporary felt laptop bags, iPad sheaths and other nice-looking treats.

MrktView In Map
Add: 3/F, Infinity Plaza, 138 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Pu'an Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市淮海路138号 无限度广场3楼， 近普安路

3. Christmas Markets View In Map

Nothing says ‘Christmas’ quite like sipping mulled wine and wandering among stalls laden with seasonal treats. Jiashan Market, Shanghai’s eco-friendly lifestyle complex just off Shaanxi Lu, is hosting a Christmas market on December 12th. As well as enjoying live music, children’s activities, craft goods and food, you’ll be doing your bit for charity too. All proceeds go to a local cause. The market runs from 10am to 6pm and entry is free.

Add: 37, Lane 550 Shanxi Nan Lu, near Shaoxing Lu
地址：上海市陕西南路550弄37号, 近绍兴路

The Crown Wine Cellar is kind of a hike out of town in the Putuo District, but it’s worth the trek to experience its Christmas Chill extravaganza on December 11th. Between 12 noon and 6pm, the venue will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring food, stalls, prize draws, and an exhibition of paintings by students affected by the Wenchuan earthquake.

Crown Wine Cellar View In Map
Add: 59, Crown International Building, Lane 729-75 Suide Lu, near Qilianshan Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市绥德路729-75弄59号，近祁连山路) 

4. Music View In Map

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Handel’s Messiah. Luckily for Shanghai, the International Festival Chorus has come up with the goods, and is performing the oratorio on December 10th (19:30) and 12th (15:00) at the Shanghai American School. Conducted by Nicholas Smith and backed up by the Peking Sinfonietta, tickets are 100 RMB for students and 200 RMB regular admission.

Add: Shanghai American School, 258 Jinfeng Lu, near Beiqing Gong Lu
地址：上海市金丰路258号，近北青公路

Everyone’s favorite Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker, makes a seasonal return to Shanghai’s stage on December 20th and 21st (19:15) at Shanghai Grand Theatre (address and map here). Tickets cost between 120 and 680 RMB. Call 6372 8702 for tickets.

But that’s far from all. Brassissimo Vienna and the Oberlin Symphony Orchestra both perform on Christmas Day, to name but two. For info about special concerts during the Christmas period, check out our listings here.

5. Church Services View In Map

Remember the true meaning of Christmas at one of Shanghai’s Christian places of worship. Hengshan Community Church (address and map here) has a service on Christmas Day at 10.30am, while St. Francis Xavier Church (address and map here) has two – 10.30am and 12.30pm – as well as a Christmas Eve service at 9pm. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Jinqiao  in Pudong celebrates with a Christmas Eve gathering at 8pm and a morning mass on Christmas Day at 10.30am.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
151 Hongfeng Lu, near Biyun Lu, Shanghai
地址：上海市红枫路151号，近名月路

So whatever you’re planning for the festive season, have a great Christmas!

P.S. to keep yourself updated on Christmas and New Year happenings in Shanghai, don’t forget to check our regularly updated events listings.

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