The 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival kicks off with a grand opening ceremony, fireworks, and the iconic first barrel tapping. [Photo/WeChat account: sdta12301]

The sea breeze carries the aroma of malt — the 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival is here! From July 17 to Aug 15, the city will transform into a 30-day celebration of beer, culture, and summer fun.

Three main venues await beer lovers across the city: the Golden Beach Beer City in the Qingdao West Coast New Area, the Century Square Beer City in Laoshan, and the historic Dabaodao area in the old town. The grand opening ceremony is due to kick off on July 17 at 20:00 at Golden Beach Beer City, featuring renowned artists, the iconic "first barrel" ceremony, and spectacular fireworks.

The Golden Beach Beer City venue, the world's largest beer city, boasts seven themed zones and over 2,300 beer varieties from global and local brands. Visitors can enjoy nightly drone shows with 1,500 drones, high-altitude fireworks, robot performances, and 25 "tribute to classics" concerts at the central stage.

The Laoshan venue offers a "beer theme park" experience with interactive zones and a unique currency system.

The historic old town venue blends century-old beer culture with heritage architecture, featuring a series of cultural events and immersive street experiences. A special "cruise beer festival" even brings the celebration to the sea.

Free admission to all venues, special promotions, and convenient subway services make the festival accessible to all. From beer tasting and food pairings to sports events and cultural performances, the 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival invites you to raise a glass with the world!

Visitors from around the world gather at Golden Beach Beer City to enjoy over 2,300 beer varieties and nightly drone shows. [Photo/WeChat account: sdta12301]

From historic old town streets to seaside venues, the festival blends beer culture with music, food, and summer fun. [Photo/WeChat account: sdta12301]