Design Events in Shanghai: November

Now, when the days are getting colder and colder, most of us would probably just stay at home with a cup of tea! But hey, we prepared a list of nice, inspiring and sometimes even warming up events and activities. Grab a warmer jacket, go out and have fun!

Let us know if you enjoyed our choice of design events this month and don’t hesitate to send us more interesting things going on in Shanghai!

What? Writing Workshops
Writing workshop is a part of Shanghai International Literary Festival. The event will be mentored by an internationally acclaimed, former-lawyer, now successful poet, Musa Okwonga.
When? Nov. 4
Where? Glam, Five on the Bund, 7/F, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
Free? 120RMB

What? Country Life
Shanghai Baoshan Folk Arts Museum together with Brian Michael Reed present an exhibition that investigates the meaning of the lotus. Intriguing, right?
When? Until Nov. 5
Where? 4788 Hutai Lu, Baoshan district
Free? Yes!
More details: Country Life at SBFA Museum

What? World Congress on Art Deco
Beautiful examples of the art deco we can find thorough the city get honoured with the Art Deco Congress! Expect lectures, seminars, walking tours, and more.
When? Nov. 1 – 6
Where? Various locations across the city
Free? Full week tickets and one day tickets available
More details: Art Deco Congress Program

What? Buena Vista Social Club Screening
Wim Wenders’ excellent documentary on aging musicians in Cuba kicks off a series of films screening as part of the World Music Shanghai season.
When? Nov. 6, 7.30pm
Where? Aurora Museum, 99 Fucheng Lu, near Shibu Jie, Pudong district
Free? 60RMB
More details: Aurora Museum Screenings

What? Nordic Design & Innovation Week 2015: Nordic Spaces
A lot of interesting seminars and workshops with designers and experts from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and China. Every day touches different topic like “people-centred design strategies”, “smart approach to more liveable cities” or “Nordic simplicity seminar”. An open, interactive exhibition showcase the ideas behind so-called Nordic style.
Sounds interesting, right?!
When? Oct. 30 – Nov. 8
Where? 800Show, 800 Changde Lu, near Changping Lu
Free? Yes. Requires RSVP

What? 15 Rooms
15 rooms have been installed in the main hall of the Long Museum and each of them featuring a different art with live performers, including works of Marina Abramovic, Double Fly Art Center and more.
When? Until Nov. 8
Where? Long Museum, 3398 Longteng Avenue, near Ruining Lu
Free? 50RMB

What? Shanghai International Literary Festival
All Shanghai bookworms! An event that you can’t miss. One week of talks, walks, panel discussions and literary lunches around the town!
When? Oct. 31 – Nov. 8
Where? M on the Bund, Seventh Floor, Five on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Huangpu district
Free? 75RMB per event (incl. one drink)
More details: Literary Festival

What? Bicycle Film Festival
At some point of our Shanghai life bicycle becomes a must! Even it’s not easy to navigate on these busy streets, it’s certainly the most convenient way of commuting. This international festival is coming to Shanghai in the first week of November, celebrating bicycles through film, art and music. Along with a photography exhibition, the festival will involve a range of screenings of films such as Moonriders, Peaks of Life and My Ride, plus various opening and after parties in Shanghai locations.
When? Nov. 5 – 8, 5pm to late
Where? Factory Five, 667 Changhua Lu, near Anyuan Lu
Free? 100RMB

What? Ladyfest Shanghai Presents The Dating Monologues
As you might know, here in China we celebrate not only the Valentine’s Day (acutally not one, but several!), but also Singles’ Day! On this occasion Ladyfest Shanghai presents ‘The Dating Monolgues’. Yes, an evening of scary, great, juicy dating stories read and acted out by People’s Republic of Comedy.
When? Nov. 11, 7pm
Where? Daliah, 408 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu, Jingan district
Free? Yes!
More details: The Dating Monologues

What? Noir Blanc
A simple tribute to the power of one basic type of photography – black and white with a twist. With a LED twist.
When? Until Nov. 17
Where? Island6, Second Floor, Building 6, 50 Moganshan Lu, Putuo district
Free? Yes!
More details: Noir Blanc

What? Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium
Organized by Centre for Spiritual Living the event’s goal is “to wake participants up from the trance we are living in, identify unexamined assumptions, and to begin to appreciate the extraordinary possibilities emerging for our future.” The symposium was created in cooperation with Achuar tribe from Ecuadorian Amazon to shift the dominant culture of consumption.
When? Nov. 21, 2pm – 5pm
Where? Centre for Spiritual Living, Building 3, Studio 311, Taikang Road Lane 200, Tianzifang
Free? Yes! Requires registration
More details: Awakening the Dreamer by Green Initiatives

What? La Moustache Screening
Sub-Cinema and barbershop Doc Guthrie’s team up for this November screening of Emmanuel Carrère’s mystery thriller.
When? Nov. 24, 8pm
Where? The Shelter, 5 Yongfu Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu
Free? Yes!
More details: The Shelter Screenings

What? The Designer Market: Christmas Edition
Christmas comes early to Shanghai this year! Don’t wait until the very last moment and visit this extraordinary organized by Shanghai Creatives and get gifts for your loved ones!
When? Nov. 26 – 27, 10am – 5pm/12pm – 8pm
Where? The Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Road West
Free? Yes!
More details: Christmas Design Market

What? Grain to Pixel, A Story of Chinese Photography
A chronicle of almost one hundred years of photography in China.
When? Until Nov. 29 (except Mon.)
Where? 2555 Longteng Dadao Longlan Lu Xuhui district
Free? 40RMB
More details: Grain to Pixel: A Story of Photography in China

What do you think about our November choice of ongoing design, art and culture events taking place in Shanghai? Let us know in the comments!

Originally written by Miriam Dabrowa, 03. November 2015. Last updated 22. March 2019