From pop-up markets to art performances, from IP development to business upgrades, Columbia Circle, a benchmark project for urban renewal in Shanghai, is constantly changing, continuously radiating new vitality and offering citizens and tourists a diverse range of cultural and consumption experiences.

Childhood nostalgia market takes over, new fun every month

Just after the vintage-style Gu Yue Market ended, the next joyful party at Columbia Circle is ready to roll. From May 29 to June 1, the “Big Kids’ Playground” turned the entire park into a childhood playground for the post-80s and post-90s: flipping picture cards, arm wrestling, watermelon-eating contests – over 30 retro childhood games allowed adults to temporarily shed work stress and let loose.

There were more than 10 art workshops waiting to be experienced: using herbal-scented clay to mold incense plaques that carry childhood memories, piecing together colorful glass to create unique mosaic coasters, and turning scraps of fabric into cute little floral hair clips. Over 60 “childhood collector” vendors gathered here – some have dug out old toys and snacks from the bottom of their trunks, while others have made creative handicrafts from clay and colorful beads.

Such pop-up excitement continues to “debut” at Columbia Circle. The "POP MART SKULLPANDA – Flower's Four-Act Play Theme Exhibition" has landed at the Fountain Plaza, where romantic floral art meets the texture of century-old architecture, offering a gentle floral drama to pop toy enthusiasts. The “Irregular Growth” themed exhibition invited over a hundred families to create a family art experiment, using original artworks to evoke reflection among adults on growth, individuality and creativity.

Theater IP takes root in historic buildings, cultural atmosphere deepens

Inside the historic Sun Ke Villa, which carries the city’s memories, the “City Hearts” workshop presented by La Strada Troupe, using the innovative form of “playback theater,” regularly meets with citizens and has become a signature cultural activity of Columbia Circle. On site, actors recreate true moments based on personal stories shared by audience members. Many visitors later said that the actors could capture the core essence of each person’s story, using body language, words and music to express it, and then piece together a complete performance – without a script, yet always touching their hearts.

Thanks to the “platform space” built by Columbia Circle, the performances have not only attracted many citizens but have also gained attention from within the industry. On June 4, La Strada Troupe will present “If Time Could Flow Back,” inviting audiences to share stories about “time” and “life,” allowing unfinished regrets to be seen again and gently embraced on stage.

Art and humanities have always been the brightest calling card of Columbia Circle. The Coffee Theater Festival, now in its sixth consecutive year, has launched multiple immersive theater works specially tailored to the park’s spaces. The accompanying “Fancy Meet-Up” event, blending specialty coffee, trendy cultural creations, and lifestyle floristry, presents a new scenario “to browse, to admire, to taste, to rest,” allowing more people to find their own joy here.

In May this year, Zhao Theater settled in the park for long-term residency performances, launching its original Chinese-style musical “Song of the Pepper Flower.” The work delves deeply into Tang Dynasty history, with music blending opera, pop, rock and other styles, and stage design drawing on mortise-and-tenon structures and patterns from Tang architecture to create an immersive classical space. The multi-zone, layered, precisely positioned and deeply immersive surround sound, combined with the actors’ performances, allows audiences in different seating areas to enjoy an “audio-visual feast.” The theater actively embraces the “ticket stub economy,” partnering with restaurants and retailers in the park to offer exclusive discounts, further boosting consumption.

Business upgrades continue, new brands to join soon

Pop-up markets and art-cultural activities are becoming more diverse, attracting different groups to come and check in. To better meet public demand, the park is also continuously upgrading its commercial offerings.

A newly opened made-to-order noodle shop features a small, refined space with chefs preparing dishes on the spot and stir-frying toppings right then and there – full of aroma. A tea house next to the fern-lined path combines dining, fine wine and specialty foods to create a comfortable space for both rest and meals. Other brand stores focus on hair and body care, gathering crops from the fields and handmade original fabrics, all together interpreting the concept of sustainable living.

Today, Columbia Circle has transformed into a vibrant, multi-faceted consumption destination. It brings together a rich variety of dining options from specialty coffee, artisanal baking, and high-end cuisine, meeting all scenarios from a quick break to a quality meal. It has also introduced new leisure formats such as immersive role-playing games and Hang healing experiences, offering young people new places to relax and socialize. At the same time, specialty retail categories including outdoor cycling gear, designer parent-child clothing, and original niche fragrances are all available.

A manager of Columbia Circle said that the park plans to launch a brand-new event called “Downstairs Drop-By” in June, inviting tenants and brand partners to participate, creating a “neighborhood gathering” atmosphere so that citizens and tourists can better “understand” the good shops and products and feel the everyday hustle and bustle of the area.