Festivals

Reveler splash water into the sky to celebrate the 28th Water-splashing Carnival at the Splendid China • China Folk Culture Villages theme park in Nanshan District. Courtesy of the park

Water-splashing carnival

The Splendid China • China Folk Culture Villages’ two-month-long water-splashing carnival offers tourists a refreshing and enjoyable experience during hot summer nights. Visitors can also indulge in a 320,000-square-meter light show and a vibrant stall street has been set upin the theme park, offering a diverse range of culinary delights

Ticketing: WeChat account “jxzh1989”

Venue: Splendid China • China Folk Culture Villages, Nanshan District (锦绣中华 • 民俗村)

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit D

An opening ceremony of the beer festival is held at Window of the World. Sun Yuchen

Beer festival

The 28th International Beer Festival at the Window of the World theme park offers a variety of catering and entertainment choices during the summer nights for tourists. It takes beer, food, electronic music, rock and roll, dancing and carnivals as its main elements, running through Aug. 27.

Ticketing: WeChat account “sz6188”

Venue: Window of the World, Nanshan District (世界之窗)

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station (世界之窗站), Exit J

A carnival dancer at Shenzhen Happy Valley. Photo from the theme park

Happy Valley carnival

The Shenzhen Happy Valley amusement park has launched a carnival for its 25th anniversary celebration through Aug. 17. It features seven major highlights including the Samba Carnival, Summer Wave Music Festival, Ice Cream Party and BBQ Food Festival.

Ticketing: WeChat account “szhappyvalley”

Venue: Shenzhen Happy Valley, Nanshan District (深圳欢乐谷)

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station (世界之窗站), Exit A

Enjoy the last bit of summer fun at Bàng! festival

Many children may have visited museums and scenic spots during the summer vacation to broaden their vision. As the summer vacation nears its end, the ongoing Bàng! Children’s Arts Festival at OCT-LOFT should not be missed.

Themed “Stand by Kids,” the festival offers a wonderful opportunity for children to immerse themselves in creativity, art and unique experiences. This upcoming weekend, OCT-LOFT’s signature T-Street Creative Mart will host a special edition of the market, setting the stage for children to sell their paintings and handicrafts, encouraging them to express their creativity while gaining valuable communication skills.

Children and parents create artworks together during this year’s Bàng! Children’s Arts Festival at OCT-LOFT. Photo by courtesy of OCT-LOFT

On Saturday afternoon, Shenzhen designer Zhang Yihan will captivate young minds with engaging stories about Chinese characters and animals. This session aims to foster an appreciation for the charm of Chinese characters while encouraging children to expand their knowledge of this rich cultural heritage.

Over the past two weekends, the festival also featured lively parades, dazzling outdoor performances and interesting workshops. Children and their parents had the opportunity to create colorful installations under the guidance of Japanese and Shenzhen artists, including Sakura Toshie, Sakura Yasuyuki, Kaji Seiya, Shen Xiaoming and Du Fengsong. These collaborative experiences allowed children to explore their imaginations, learn from talented artists and interact with their parents. Visitors to OCT-LOFT can still admire the vibrant installations at C2 Space and the outside square through Sunday.

Shenzhen, having been included in China’s first batch of cities dedicated to building a child-friendly environment, demonstrates its commitment to the well-being and development of its young residents. Initiated in 2021, the Bàng! Children’s Arts Festival further highlights Shenzhen’s dedication to fostering a child-friendly culture.

“Bàng” in Chinese pinyin means “superb,” and the festival provides a perfect platform for children to explore their creative potential and unleash their creativity. With a range of activities such as markets, storytelling sessions, parades, performances and workshops, the festival promotes artistic expression in a child-friendly atmosphere.

Chinese character story session

Time: 3-4 p.m., Aug. 19

Venue: A3+, north area, OCT-LOFT (深圳华侨城创意文化园北区A3+空间)

Metro: Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (侨城北站), Exit B

Installation exhibition

Dates: Until Aug. 20

Venue: C2 Space and outside square, north area, OCT-LOFT (深圳华侨城创意文化园北区C2空间及户外广场)

Metro: Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (侨城北站), Exit B

T-Street Creative Mart

Dates: Aug. 19-20

Venue: South and north areas, OCT-LOFT (深圳华侨城创意文化园南区、北区)

Metro: Line 1 to Qiaocheng East Station (侨城东站), Exit A; Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (侨城北站), Exit B