Beer Festival Transforms into a Playground: Laoshan Venue Unveils Fun for All Ages

The 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival is set to run from July 17 to August 15 at the Century Square Beer City in Laoshan District. This year's Laoshan venue embraces the concept of "Beer Festival Amusement-Park-Style," aiming to create an inclusive experience for visitors of all ages.

In a major departure from previous years, the venue will operate without enclosed fencing, allowing free access at all times. Road controls will only be implemented briefly during peak hours to minimize disruption to local residents. The venue is divided into two main zones: the South Square, positioned as a "Beer CHILL Playground" for immersive beer culture experiences, and the Central Square, branded as the "Qingdao Rising Tide Block," which focuses on youth trends, family activities, and specialty markets. The two zones are seamlessly connected to offer a one-stop experience combining dining, shopping, entertainment, and sightseeing.

To cater to diverse age groups, three themed "playgrounds" have been created:

Youth Emotional Playground: The "Emotional Fermentation Factory" introduces an interactive space combining light drinking, socializing, and stress relief. Visitors can participate in over a dozen de-stressing games to earn "Hajiǔ Coins" — a venue-wide token currency accepted for beer, food, and attraction purchases.
Family Fun Playground: Two family-friendly zones have been added to address the previous lack of children's activities. The B.Duck Game Carnival features classic IP-based challenge games with exclusive prizes, while the LuLuWorld Pet Paradise brings popular animals such as capybaras, alpacas, and Shetland ponies for close-up interactions. Adjacent to these areas is the Yinyan Market, where parents can enjoy food and shopping while children play.
Family Gathering Playground: The White Beer Camping Area recreates the nostalgic atmosphere of early Beer Festivals, where families and friends would sit on the ground and enjoy drinks together. The area offers fully equipped camping packages with tents, beer, and snacks — a relaxed alternative to traditional beer tents, suitable for family reunions, couples, and groups of friends.
Beyond the three main playgrounds, the venue features the Yinyan Market with over 100 vintage-style stalls, the Cat Sky City seaside post office for literary enthusiasts, and an interactive polar marine exhibition presented by Haihe'an Qingdao Polar Ocean Park. A dual-stage setup hosts nightly rock, EDM, and rap performances, while mobile beer carts, VR experiences, robotic convenience stores, daily opening parades, and the open-to-all Beer King Challenge further enrich the program.
The Laoshan venue promises a summer celebration where the mountains meet the sea, beer flows freely, and fun knows no age limit. All are welcome to join the festivities.

Editor: Jiang Danning/ Zhang Yishuo

Source：Qingdao International Community Center (for Culture and Tourism)