In this guide · 6 sections
Golden Week, the week-long National Day holiday, runs from Thursday 1 to Wednesday 7 October 2026. There are two make-up working days: Sunday 20 September and Saturday 10 October. Mid-Autumn Festival is a separate break this year (25–27 September). Many residents leave town while visitors arrive, so offices go quiet and anywhere with a ticket booth gets busy.
What's open and what's closed
| Open? | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Malls & restaurants | Yes | Busiest in the first days of the holiday |
| Bars | Mostly | Check each bar's WeChat for holiday hours |
| Exit-Entry (visa) halls | Expected closed | Closed for the whole break in 2025; reopen Thu 8 Oct |
| Hospitals | Yes | Emergency departments stay open; check outpatient hours |
| Museums & galleries | Yes | Book timed tickets in advance |
| Weekly meetups | Some pause | The Sea World trivia league skips 30 Sep; check each listing |
What's on during the holiday
The Futian CBD light show (Civic Center and Lianhuashan) has been off since 30 April for upgrades and is expected back on 1 October, though as of 10 September that wasn't confirmed. On holidays it has run at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30pm. Watching from Civic Center Plaza needs a free booking in the mini-program, which opens three days ahead.
What to skip
- Window of the World and Happy Valley in the first days of the holiday: expect long queues.
- Crossing to Hong Kong at the start or end of the holiday, unless you've booked a cross-boundary coach.
- Dameisha beach on any sunny holiday day.
- High-speed rail without a ticket. Tickets go on sale 15 days ahead on 12306 and sell out fast.
Our tip: stay in town
The best-kept secret of Golden Week is that Shenzhen's working districts go quiet. Nanshan's bay promenade, the OCT galleries and Futian's bars can be calmer than on a normal weekend. See our nightlife guide and what to do this weekend for ideas.
Sources
- State Council: 2026 public holiday arrangements (4 Nov 2025)
- Bendibao: Shenzhen exit-entry halls over the 2025 National Day holiday (26 Sep 2025)
- Shenzhen Special Zone Daily: Futian light show paused for upgrades (22 Apr 2026)
- 21st Century Business Herald: light show expected back on 1 October (10 Sep 2026)
- 12306: ticket sale times
FAQ
When is Golden Week 2026?
Golden Week 2026 runs from Thursday 1 October to Wednesday 7 October. Sunday 20 September and Saturday 10 October are make-up working days.
Is Shenzhen busy during Golden Week?
Tourist attractions, border crossings and train stations are extremely busy; business districts like Futian and Nanshan are quieter than usual.
Is the Exit-Entry office open during Golden Week?
Shenzhen's exit-entry halls closed for the whole National Day break in 2025. No 2026 notice had been published by 26 September, so expect them to be closed 1–7 October and check with the 12367 hotline.
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