The Shanghai Tourism festival launches with a GIANT parade on September 18 (Source: Xinhua)

The Shanghai Tourism Festival kicks of its 21st edition on September 18 with a parade down Huai Hai Lu in Luwan district.  These giant, and kinda freaky-looking puppets (...where are their mouths?!) made by the Yangzhou Puppet Troupe from Jiangsu will be there, dancing alongside the floats, terrifying entertaining the thousands of children who turn out with their families to cheer them on.

The Shanghai Tourism Festival takes place from September 18 to October 18, and showcases Shanghai's  culture and history through a number of "traditional and non-traditional events" that take place across the city. The parade is, of course, a highlight with other special events including shopping festivals, food festivals, dance competitions, fireworks in Century Park—the city knows a thing or two about fireworks so this one's bound to be a cracker (sorry)—tours of the Shanghai lanes and special markets.

There's also a group wedding called the "rose wedding ceremony", a curious phenomenon where a group of about 100 couples exchange vows carnival-style, sitting on a parade float that drives around the city, with people on the street as their witnesses... talk about a public display of affection!

For more information including dates and schedule, see the official website (Chinese only but google translate does the trick).