Shanghai cracks down on Halloween costumes to prevent people making fun of authorities

Halloween is right around the corner and people have already started donning bizarre costumes as part of the celebration. But in China’s financial capital Shanghai authorities were extra vigilant to avoid a repeat of last year’s mass gathering where people wore outfits with political messages.

As per a report in Financial Times, on October 28, police began rounding up individuals in costume on Julu Road, the epicentre of Halloween festivities in the city, and brought them to an administrative building to remove their make-up and downplay their outfits. Makeshift barriers were also set up to prevent large crowds from forming.

A 22-year-old student said that they had hats and cat ears, which authorities asked to be removed, stating, “you can’t do that this year, unless you’re going to Disneyland or something.”  

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He noted that the process of removing his make-up took about half an hour due to the queue of others facing similar treatment. A security guard confirmed that costumes were not permitted this year.

These measures come in response to last year’s spontaneous Halloween gathering, which was seen as a form of expression after years of strict Covid-19 lockdowns.  

The sight of numerous young people in costumes on Julu Road prompted a significant police presence, reflecting broader concerns over political dissent. Many outfits from last year’s celebration included hazmat suits—a satirical nod to the government’s “zero-COVID” policy—and depictions of political figures, which quickly went viral on social media.

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As per a report in NBC, while there was no official announcement of a ban or clear restrictions on Halloween activities from Shanghai officials, local businesses reported receiving notices. One bar owner in the Jing An district shared on Chinese social media that police had instructed him not to hold any celebrations or allow “bizarre clothing” on Halloween.

This year, Julu Road still attracted a crowd of young people, but costumes were largely absent. Many attendees opted for minimal accessories, such as ties. Rumors circulated online that “cosplay” would be prohibited, although no official announcement confirmed this.

The Financial Times report said that officers at the scene were mostly unresponsive to inquiries. When asked about the reasoning behind the barriers, one officer simply stated, “[There is] no why,” while another described the measures as “normal.”

A representative from the Shanghai Information Office issued a statement, stating that “festival activities… must not affect public order,” and mentioned Halloween-related events at Disneyland and another nearby theme park. They justified the restrictions as necessary for maintaining smooth traffic, public order, and citizen safety.