A method and a client for displaying advertisements are provided, belonging to the field of Internet communications. The method includes the following process. An advertisement configuration file is downloaded. If the advertisement configuration file is a new version of advertisement configuration file, a name of an advertisement picture resource package is extracted from the advertisement configuration file, and the corresponding advertisement picture resource package is downloaded according to the name. An advertisement display location and advertisement configuration information are parsed out from the advertisement configuration file. The advertisement configuration information includes an advertisement validity period. Advertisement configuration information within the advertisement validity period is added into an advertisement alternate playing list. An advertisement is displayed at the advertisement display location on a screen of a client according to the advertisement alternate playing list and the advertisement picture resource package. The client includes a downloading module, a parsing module and a displaying module. Thus, advertisements displayed at a client may be dynamically updated.