On the last weekend before Halloween in 2024, the streets of Shanghai were shrouded in a tense atmosphere. Compared with previous years, especially 2023, the phenomenon of young people expressing themselves and discussing social issues through costumes and parades has greatly decreased, replaced by strict control and inspection by the police. This year, large-scale police inspections have occurred in major iconic locations in Shanghai, and interrogations and persuasion of costumers are everywhere, which has made many citizens and students feel an unprecedented repressive atmosphere.

Halloween atmosphere suddenly changed: from carnival to suppression

As early as a few days before Halloween, Shanghai had begun to be filled with a tense atmosphere. Social media platforms such as WeChat, Xiaohongshu and Weibo began to discuss whether Halloween this year could be held as usual. Last year, Shanghai's Halloween parade lasted for three days, gathering a large number of cross-dressers with social issues as the theme. They dressed up as symbolic characters such as nucleic acid testers, Dabai, and monitors and paraded on the streets. This ironic performance was once on the hot list of social media until the police intervened to clear the scene. However, this year's situation is completely different.

Since October 25, a large number of police forces have appeared on the streets of Shanghai. Many iconic places such as Julu Road and Changle Road, which are popular places for young people to gather all year round, are now occupied by police cars and police. A notice suspected to be from an internal government working group circulated on social media, calling for the suppression and prohibition of Halloween-related activities. Although this notice has not been officially confirmed or refuted, it has been frequently forwarded in various cultural exchange groups, triggering widespread discussion.

Multiple restrictions on students and citizens: from campus to public places

The implementation of the Halloween ban has not only affected the lives of ordinary citizens, but also affected students on campus. Many Shanghai universities issued notices in advance, requiring students not to participate in any Halloween-related gatherings. Students even received calls from counselors, asking them to report whether they participated in festival activities and were warned not to reveal their student identities.

A student from Fudan University revealed that the school not only banned participation in any unofficial activities, but also called on Sunday night to ask whether they would go out to participate in Halloween gatherings. This phenomenon reflects the strict control and vigilance of colleges and universities over students' participation in such activities.

Not only that, many public places in Shanghai have also taken strict measures against Halloween activities. Shanghai Zhongshan Park issued an announcement in advance, saying that it would close the park and temporarily cancel its opening hours. The famous tourist attraction Jinjiang Amusement Park also announced on its official social platform that it would "not accept cross-dressing tourists." These measures have further restricted the public's participation in the festival.

Social media censorship: restricted activities and account bans

Not only in real life, Halloween activities are restricted, but related discussions and promotions on social media platforms are also suppressed. Many artists and organizers said that their social accounts were blocked for posting Halloween-related content. Ms. Huang, who lives in Shanghai, originally planned to cooperate with several coffee shops to hold a joint Halloween celebration event, but due to the platform's traffic restrictions on event promotion, her three Xiaohongshu accounts were blocked one after another.

Such censorship behavior shows that although Halloween is a festival originating from the West, in China, especially in metropolises like Shanghai, this festival has evolved into an important way for young people to express themselves. The ban on social media has further hit the possibility of these expressions.

Halloween live experience: from free expression to silent suppression

Despite strict control, some citizens and tourists still try to enjoy the fun of Halloween in limited spaces. Wang Ziyu is a young man who flew from Beijing to Shanghai to participate in Halloween. She and her friends chose to "take a gamble" in Zhongshan Park, hoping to find some Halloween atmosphere. She recalled that in the park, although the crowd was evacuated by the police, some cosplayers were still showing each other their creative costumes, creating a festive atmosphere.

However, as more and more police officers came, the joyful atmosphere gradually dissipated. Cosplayers were asked to take off their hoods, and any behavior with role-playing elements was considered non-compliant, and the atmosphere of the police presence became oppressive. Although some police officers seemed to be curious and interested in the creativity of the cosplayers, they still needed to enforce orders to ensure that no public gatherings or unofficial activities occurred.

Public reflection: the culture and expression behind Halloween

For many Shanghai citizens, Halloween is not just a Western festival, but also an opportunity to express themselves and explore collective memory. Last year, the various costumes that appeared in the Halloween parade, such as the "spiritual guy" and An Lingrong, are iconic characters in Chinese online culture, symbolizing the response of young people to social phenomena. This form of expression has gradually become a new social phenomenon in Halloween in the past few years. Many young people reconnect through costumes and gatherings and find a sense of belonging in urban life after the epidemic.

Artist Xia said that Halloween in 2023 gave him an unprecedented sense of freedom. It was a rare moment when no one questioned his gender identity. He believes that such a Halloween is not only a festival for dressing up as horror characters, but also an opportunity for the younger generation to show social issues and personal identity through role-playing.

The meaning of Halloween: from festival carnival to the compression of social space

The evolution of Halloween in China, especially in international metropolises such as Shanghai, has long surpassed the simple celebration of the festival. It has become an outlet for young people to express themselves, reflect social issues, and release pressure. However, this year's festival has been subject to unprecedented restrictions. Cross-dressing activities have become taboos, gatherings in public places have been strictly controlled, and speech on social media has been censored.

Despite this, many young people are still looking for space for expression within their means. They try to maintain their enthusiasm and creativity for the festival by dressing up and gathering. Despite facing more and more restrictions and repression, their pursuit of self-expression and collective memory has not completely disappeared. Halloween in China, especially in Shanghai, is undergoing a transformation from carnival to repression. Behind this phenomenon, it reflects the complex response of contemporary young people to the social environment and personal space.

What will Halloween look like in the future?

As Shanghai police intensify their crackdown on Halloween activities, Halloween activities may face stricter supervision in the future. Although this festival was originally a foreign culture, it has gradually become a part of the way young people in China express their individuality and collective emotions. However, in the current social environment, the space for such expression is becoming increasingly narrow. Whether Halloween in the future can still be a symbol of freedom and creativity is still full of uncertainty.