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Shanghai authorities have cracked down on Halloween costumes, amid fears of a repeat of last year’s mass gathering that included people wearing outfits with political messages.
Police on Saturday rounded up people in costume on Julu road, the heart of Halloween celebrations last year in China’s financial hub, and took them to an administrative building to remove their make-up and downplay their outfits. Authorities had on Friday night set up makeshift barriers to prevent a repeat of crowds gathering on Julu road.
“We had hats and cat ears, and they’re like ‘you can’t do that this year, unless you’re going to Disneyland’ or something,” said one 22-year-old student who did not give his name. He had been taken to the building and made to remove his make-up. The process had taken half an hour, he added, due to the “queue” of people brought in by authorities. One security guard inside confirmed that costumes were not permitted this year.
The measures, which come just days before the October 31 celebration, follow a huge impromptu street gathering last year to celebrate Halloween, widely seen as an outburst of expression after years of Covid lockdowns. The emergence of vast numbers of young people in costume on Julu road last year led to a sizeable police presence.
Those Halloween celebrations took place against a backdrop of tight political controls, including a wider crackdown on any discussion of the government’s three-year efforts to eliminate the virus.
Outfits across Shanghai last year included hazmat suits — a satirical reference to the government’s “zero-Covid” policy — and political figures from China’s history. Their images went viral on social media. The event came less than a year after anti-pandemic protests in late 2022.
This Saturday, even in the drizzle, Julu Road still attracted large numbers of young people, but costumes were rare and in many cases consisted only of a small item, such as a tie. Over recent days rumours had circulated online that “cosplay” — the practice of dressing up as characters from games or films — would not be permitted, though there was no official announcement.
One woman said she had bought a “witch’s cloak” in preparation for Halloween but had not felt able to wear it because of the mooted crackdown. “[We were] really looking forward to it,” she said. “So many people prepared.” Another pair of young women in flamboyant dress said they did not know which outfits were permitted. Police officers took three women in historical costumes to the administrative building. They were released shortly afterwards.
Police at the scene largely declined to answer questions. “[There is] no why,” said one in response to a question on why the barriers had been put up. Another said the practice was “normal”.
A representative for the Shanghai Information Office said in a statement that “festival activities . . . must not affect public order”, and said there were Halloween-related activities at Disneyland and Happy Valley, another nearby theme park. “We carry out necessary guidance and orderly management in some crowded areas in the city, entirely to ensure smooth traffic, public order and citizen safety,” the representative said.
In anticipation of restrictions, rumours had circulated online that an alternative gathering would take place several kilometres away at an address in the south of the city. Late on Saturday evening, there was no one there except for two police vehicles with their lights flashing.
