Halloween celebrations are not permitted on the streets of Shanghai this year. The authorities want to prevent people from expressing social criticism through their costumes, as they did last year – like this young man who commented on the grotesque character of the Covid lockdowns with a lance-sized Q-tip. The authorities set up barriers on Julu Road, where the biggest crowds gathered in 2023, on Friday. On Saturday, police officers hauled away costumed people and forced them to unmask, even if they were only wearing cat ears. „Festivities must not disrupt public order,“ explained a city spokesperson, adding that anyone wanting to celebrate Halloween should go to Disneyland, where an officially announced Halloween party is taking place.