Each year, people around the world embrace Halloween’s spirit of fun and mischief, donning costumes, gathering in public spaces, and letting their imaginations run wild. Yet in Shanghai, this year’s Halloween celebrations took a dramatic turn as the government responded with heightened police presence and arrests. Seemingly harmless costumes in Zhongshan Park, Julu Road, and other parts of Shanghai prompted officers to break up gatherings, escort individuals to police vans, and order makeup removed. For many, this is not just a restriction on public celebration; it’s a telling example of China’s sensitivity to even indirect forms of critique.
Why Halloween? A Background on Costume Protests
While Halloween is celebrated in limited pockets across China, its symbolic value has grown in recent years, particularly in Shanghai. During last year’s Halloween, Shanghai residents used costumes as a form of satire to comment on government policies. Costumes poked fun at China’s notorious surveillance practices and the country’s draconian COVID-19 policies, which kept citizens under prolonged lockdowns. “People dressing up as a giant surveillance camera, COVID testers, and a censored Weibo post” brought both humor and a biting critique of Chinese society to life.
Even as costumes gave citizens a limited way to express their frustrations in an otherwise tightly controlled society, this seemingly playful criticism did not go unnoticed by the government. As Halloween approached again this year, rumors circulated that officials would clamp down on public gatherings in a bid to prevent similar displays. “Shanghai is not supposed to be like this,” said one local, disappointed by the restrictive atmosphere. “It has always been very tolerant.”
Heavy Police Presence: Control over Costume Culture
In the days leading up to Halloween, police and local officials prepared to monitor public spaces. Barriers were set up along Julu Road and neighboring streets, while Zhongshan Park—where Halloween celebrations were gaining popularity—saw a noticeable increase in police presence. By Friday night, videos and photos on social media showed officers gathering in large numbers, blocking streets, and dispersing crowds. Many costumed revelers were ordered to remove headgear or face arrest.
Even costumes deemed “seemingly uncontroversial” led to detentions. According to one witness, even comic book characters like Batman and Deadpool were “escorted into the back of police vans.” One Shanghai resident described the atmosphere, saying, “Every time someone new showed up on the scene, everyone would go, ‘Wow that’s cool’ and laugh. There were policemen on the sidelines, but I felt they also wanted to watch.” The lighthearted atmosphere, however, ended abruptly when additional officers arrived around 10 p.m., instructing people to take off costumes and leave.
Another resident shared how officers were systematically checking identification and documenting people in costume, stating that the number of police “appeared to exceed the number of revelers themselves.” It was an overwhelming show of force that transformed the festive atmosphere into one of tension and unease.
Unofficial “Warnings” to Businesses and Universities
The crackdown on Halloween didn’t stop with public spaces; universities and businesses were also reportedly discouraged from hosting Halloween-related events. Students at Shanghai’s prestigious Fudan University were warned by school authorities not to participate in gatherings, and some were even called by school counselors to confirm they had stayed in. “They called me to ask if I had gone out, if I had taken part [in activities],” one student shared, “And if I did participate, I could not reveal I was a student [of the university].”
This restriction on students is notable, as universities are often places where freedom of thought and expression flourish. But in this case, students were reminded that even playful public gatherings could carry consequences. Some businesses, including bars and cafes, received notices advising them to avoid Halloween festivities. Bar owners were reportedly told by police not to host Halloween-themed events or allow patrons in “bizarre clothing.”
The Deeper Implications: Halloween as a Breach of Free Expression
While the government may claim these measures are necessary for public order, many citizens and observers see the crackdown as a violation of personal freedom and an attempt to suppress even the slightest hint of critique. Halloween costumes may seem innocuous, but for a government sensitive to public opinion, costumes mocking social policies or poking fun at state practices represent a threat. “It’s a waste of resources,” commented one social media user on Weibo. “If so much effort is invested, it should be to ensure people are safe and having fun, not to restrict or suppress them.”
The crackdown echoes events in 2022 when the “White Paper Protests” spread through Shanghai and other cities, challenging China’s COVID policies. As young people mourned victims of a fire in an apartment building under lockdown, these spontaneous gatherings quickly grew into larger demonstrations against the “zero-COVID” policy. Chinese authorities responded to these displays of dissent by lifting restrictions but have since monitored large gatherings with renewed vigilance. For the Chinese government, maintaining a stable, predictable society is paramount, and anything—no matter how seemingly small—that could spark dissent is viewed as a potential risk.
In China, where freedom of speech and public assembly are already restricted, Halloween’s playful costumes and masks took on a larger-than-life significance. Although there was no outright ban on Halloween, Shanghai police actively deterred celebrations, with warnings and physical barricades. While Halloween at major attractions like Disneyland continued as planned, the shutdown in other areas highlights the government’s selective approach to what it views as potential threats.
Can Critique Find a Place in China’s Future?
For Shanghai residents, the Halloween crackdown serves as a stark reminder of the limited avenues available for self-expression. “Shanghai used to feel more tolerant,” shared one local, “but it’s changing.” For the government, any gathering—even one focused on costumes and festivity—represents a risk of unregulated expression. And in a society where criticism is often silenced or censored, even a costume can become a form of protest, speaking louder than words.
While Halloween may seem trivial, the crackdown reveals a much deeper issue: China’s discomfort with public critique. As one witness remarked, “It’s not just about the costumes; it’s about freedom.” The scenes in Shanghai this Halloween underscore a cultural shift, highlighting the tension between a population that seeks ways to express itself and a government determined to control that expression. The result is an eerie silence that has left Shanghai’s “spooky season” without its usual sparkle, serving as a reminder of the totalitarian nature of the Chinese government, its sensitivity to criticism and China’s lack of any pretension of free speech.