The 34th Qingdao International Beer Festival kicked off on July 19 at the Golden Beach Beer City in Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA), East China's Shandong province. The festival promises a 24-day celebration filled with brews and entertainment.

The 34th Qingdao International Beer Festival commences in Qingdao WCNA, reinforcing Qingdao's reputation as China's beer hub and solidifying Qingdao WCNA's status as the "City of Beer". [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening ceremony was marked by international song and dance performances and a first cask-tapping segment. A digital light and shadow beer barrel unveiled on stage transformed into a real, beer-filled cask, symbolizing the festival's inaugural toast.

The beer festival's opening ceremony includes a cask-tapping ritual as its highlight. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Following the ceremony, a star-studded concert showcased famous popular Chinese vocalists Li Ronghao, Shan Yichun, and Dimash Kudaibergen. The festival is set to offer a diverse lineup of over 2,000 events, including musical performances, artistic parades, sports activities and beer-drinking contests.

This year marks the tenth occasion the Qingdao International Beer Festival has been held in Qingdao WCNA since it started in 2015. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Enhancements to the festival include refreshed light shows, beer presentations, naked-eye 3D displays, street performances, and drone shows. New additions to this year's festival include a Year of the Dragon mascot, festival-themed attire, and creative beer products and mystery boxes, all aimed at enhancing Qingdao WCNA's cultural tourism experience.