The whole family together! 2026 Shanghai Family Music Competition opens for free, grab the registration guide

2026 Shanghai Family Music Competition kicks off across the city

When the erhu meets the guitar

Children’s voices harmonize with elders’ melodies

Every ordinary Shanghai family

Hides its own unique and heartwarming musical chapter

Today, the 2026 Shanghai Family Music Competition, co-hosted by the Shanghai Musicians Association, the Shanghai Mass Art Center, and the Shanghai International Exhibition (Group) Co., Ltd., was officially announced to the public. The event’s exclusive key visual was simultaneously released across the internet, built around the core theme of ‘Life is the stage, every family shines,’ spanning fromAugust 2026 to January 2027A citywide family music culture event covering Shanghai.

Zero-barrier open competition

Diverse Shanghai families share the stage, connecting through music

This competitionbreaks down barriers of household registration, age, and nationality, allowing all families in Shanghai to participate for free. Local multi-generational families, three-generation households, and expatriate families in Shanghai can all take the same stage. Using music as a universal language, it builds a cross-cultural exchange platform, fully showcasing Shanghai’s inclusive and pluralistic urban character.

The competition does not judge solely on professional performance skills and embraces all forms of everyday musical expression:All cross-genre performances are welcome, including Chinese and Western instrumental ensembles, singing with instrumental accompaniment, and instrumental performances paired with dance, recitation, or traditional opera.Additionally, original family compositions and AI-assisted music creation are strongly encouraged, with dedicated awards set up to let creative families of all ages and backgrounds shine freely.

2026 | MUSIC

Shanghai Family Music Competition

Registration Guide

Life is the stage, every family shines!

Life is the stage,

and every family is wonderful.

LET’S GO

Who can join?

The entry requirements are super relaxed~

PART 1.

Eligibility Requirements

Any family residing in Shanghai can register, regardless of household registration or nationality; each group must have at least 2 family members teaming up, and parent-child, two-generation, or three-generation families are all welcome.

Key point: Zero registration fee throughout!

Performance Format – Your Choice

The only requirement: at least one family member must play a musical instrument live on site. Piano, violin, erhu, guitar, drums, handpan, and other Chinese and Western instruments are all accepted. Other family members can freely mix singing, dancing, recitation, or drama – no limits on how you play! ✨ Bonus points: Original lyrics and compositions, AI-assisted arrangement/melody writing, and exclusive awards are waiting for you!

Video Filming Guidelines

1. Content should be warm and positive, showcasing family warmth and the beauty of the city, while avoiding sensitive content; 2. Videos should be within 5 minutes and files no larger than 500MB; 3. Use a fixed camera position with a single continuous shot – no editing, no audio tuning. All participating family members must appear in person, no virtual AI characters. Both horizontal and vertical shooting are valid.

LET’S GO

Registration Time

& Two Registration Methods

PART 2.

⏰ Registration Period: 2026.8.15–10.7. The channel will close automatically when the deadline passes, so record your video in advance to avoid last-minute panic!

Registration Methods

1. Download the ‘Shanghai Observer News’ APP; 2. Find the competition special topic entrance on the homepage; 3. Fill in the names, ages, and contact information of all participating family members; 4. Upload a qualifying family performance video and submit to complete registration. You can also scan the event’s exclusive QR code to jump directly to the registration page.

LET’S GO

Full Schedule | From Registration to the Stage

A Year of Excitement

PART3.

1.Audition Recruitment (8.15-10.7)

Multiple online and offline channels; upload a video to complete registration.

2.Online Preliminary (Mid-October)

All works will be showcased online, with professional judges scoring online, and 100 families will be selected to advance to the offline semi-finals;

3.Offline Semi-finals (End of October)

30 groups of ‘Harmony Homes’ will be selected through offline competition. In addition, activities such as performances, flash mobs, markets, experience workshops, and master sharing sessions in commercial districts, communities, and landmarks will also be launched one after another, integrating music into daily life and spreading beauty throughout the city;

4.Finals & Awards Ceremony (Early December)

The finals and awards ceremony will be held in a professional concert hall, where 10 groups of ‘Golden Voice Homes’ will be born. With a red carpet, awards, and special performances, it will create a ceremonial audio-visual feast for ordinary families;

5.Full-Cycle Supporting Activities (Aug 2026 – Jan 2027)

Participating families get direct access to major city events such as the Shanghai International Music Instruments Fair, Tourism Festival, and Arts Festival. They can also hold charity music classes and host exclusive New Year concerts, with plenty of stage opportunities throughout the year.

Popularity Award Opens Simultaneously

Voting period: Oct 15 – Nov 15. Regardless of advancement, all participating families can compete for the ‘Brilliant Popularity Family Award’. Vote through the ‘Shanghai Observer News’ app, with up to 10 votes per account per day. Cast your votes freely for your favorite families, and the families with the most votes will win the ‘Brilliant Popularity Family Award’.

LET’S GO

Numerous Awards + Participation Benefits

PART 4.

Advancement Honors

Preliminary Round: 100 groups of Music & Beauty Families; Semifinal: 30 groups of Melody Families; Final: 10 groups of Golden Voice Families

Special Awards

Budding New Voice, Timeless Echo, Passing the Torch, Boundless Creativity, Joy Across Five Continents, Original New Voice, Digital Future, and Radiant Popular Family Award

Participant Benefits

Free pre-competition coaching from musicians, multiple performance stages in communities/shopping districts/professional concert halls, official customized certificates and multiple prizes, and full-media platform promotion and exposure

LET’S GO

Consultation Channels

PART5.

Please read the registration notice carefully. If you have any questions, feel free to consult us~

📞Consultation hotline: 021-63878888📩Consultation email: shmusicalfamily@siec-ccpit.com

You can also follow the competition’s official accounts on Xiaohongshu and Video Channel for online Q&A~

No professional stage, no expensive equipment needed. As long as the whole family shares a love for music, you can step onto the exclusive stage for thousands of Shanghai families. On August 15, open theShanghai Observer News APP, bring your parents, children, and relatives, and use a melody to capture the warm moments of your family!