The 25th Qingdao International Beer Festival kicks off in August. It is co-hosted by Qingdao Municipal Tourism Administration. This year, the festivities will take place in two major venues: the Century Plaza Beer City in Laoshan District (east venue), and the Golden Beach west side in Huangdao District (west venue). The annual affair promises musical performances, art parades, promotional activities, and of course, lots and lots of beer. Since 1991, beer aficionados from both China and around the world have gathered at this seaside city for some fun in the sun, as the event — as well as the ale — have become hallmarks of Qingdao.
2015 Qingdao International Beer Festival
Sometimes referred to as Asia’s Oktoberfest, festivities usually begin the second weekend in August with a Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday, preceded by an Opening Ceremony Concert on Friday night at TianTai Stadium. It concludes with a “Cheers to the World” (GānBēi 干杯) and Closing Ceremony. If you intend on making it a family event, go early in the morning or get there in the late afternoon and leave before dark to go enjoy the sunset at Shilaoren Beach. The Qingdao International Beer Festival (青岛国际啤酒节) “real” party starts after the sun goes down, with heavy drinking, dancing, and the inevitable … drunken participants.
2015 Qingdao International Beer Festival
While the 200+ year old Munich Oktoberfest primarily focuses on local breweries, the Qingdao International Beer Festival (青岛国际啤酒节) is open to both Chinese and foreign brew masters. Since its inauguration, more than 200 beer brands from all over the world have successfully participated. The Beer Fest lasts for 16 days with themed events in an amusement park setting located at TsingTao Beer Passion Square (Century Plaza) in Qingdao’s Laoshan District. Qingdao is the largest beer production base in China and the Beer Festival provides a great opportunity to show-off the city’s distinctiveness.
Visitors who want to further explore the city can stroll along the Stone Man Bathing Beach at sunset, or try some of the city’s famously fresh seafood. For more information on Qingdao and the Qingdao International Beer Festival.
