Qingdao Party Secretary Lu Zhiyuan announces the opening of the 33rd Qingdao International Beer Festival on the evening of July 14 at Golden Beach Beer City in the Qingdao West Coast New Area of Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 33rd Qingdao International Beer Festival kicked off in grand style on the evening of July 14 in Qingdao, Shandong province.

The coastal city's Party Secretary Lu Zhiyuan announced the opening of the 24-day event and Mayor Zhao Haozhi opened the symbolic first barrel of beer during the opening ceremony.

The event, which runs until August 6 at the Golden Beach Beer City in the city's West Coast New Area, has introduced more than 2,000 varieties of beer from more than 40 countries and regions. To help visitors enrich their experience, the festival has organized more than 300 music and sports events on the theme of beer.

This year the festival launched China's inaugural beer-themed show, an immersive experience that combines sound, light, fireworks and integrated performances involving music, dance, and stunts, leaving visitors awestruck by its splendid visual extravaganza.

The festival is also on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of renowned Tsingtao Brewery, with celebrations organized during the event. The Qingdao-based brewery established two huge beer tents, covering respectively 3,000 square meters and 1,500 square meters and offers beer, food, and fine view.

Initiated in 1991, the festival has become a major event in the calendar of the city and become one of the four largest beer festivals in the world, including Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.