The 2025 Qingdao International Beer Festival (2025青岛国际啤酒节), also known as China’s Oktoberfest, will take place from July 18 to August 16, 2025, with the main venue at Golden Sands Beach (金沙滩) WanRen Square (万人广场) on Qingdao’s West Coast (Xihai’an, Huangdao District).
Additional major venues include Century Plaza (世纪广场) in Laoshan District, located just behind the International Convention Center, as well as Qingdao Old Town, offering visitors a citywide celebration of beer, food, and cultural experiences.
2025 Qingdao Beer Festival Venues and Dates
- Qingdao West Coast Main Venue – Xihai’an Golden Beach WanRen Square: July 18th – August 16th, 2025.
- Qingdao East Coast Venue – Laoshan Beer City Century Square: July 18th – August 16th, 2025.
- Qingdao Old Town Venue – Shangjieli and Dabaodao Historic Districts: July 18th – August 16th, 2025.
2025 Qingdao Beer Festival Activities
The 2025 Qingdao International Beer Festival has expanded to a full month, offering a dynamic, citywide celebration of beer, culture, and entertainment. With over 2,300 beer varieties from 400+ brands across 40+ countries, the festival features gourmet international cuisine, nearly 2,000 live performances, and signature events like the Golden Flower Award Craft Beer Competition, King of Beer Contest, and the Qingdao Fashion Sports Festival. Activities are spread across three major venues:
- West Coast Venue – Golden Beach Beer City: Features seven themed zones, including beer tents, plaza games, leisure dining, cultural exhibitions, and a central stage for live performances.
- Laoshan Venue – Century Square Beer City: Blends traditional Chinese elegance and European charm through five curated activity zones under the theme “One City, Two Scenic Highlights.”
- Qingdao Old Town Venue – Shangjieli & Dabaodao: Hosts 20 themed events focused on food, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment in Qingdao’s historic districts.
What is the Qingdao International Beer Festival?
A festival in honor of the nectar of the gods, beer — how great is that? Every summer, during the months of July and August, Qingdao (青岛) hosts the largest beer festival in Asia with international breweries from all over the globe flocking to the sandy shores of China’s Sailing City in Shandong Province. With more than 2,000 beers from over 40 countries and regions, you’ll see the best of China’s beer drinking culture at this event.
Picture huge tables filled with beer-swilling, elated Chinese and beautiful women performing on stage as the sound of Gan Bei 干杯 ! (bottoms up) rings out across the numerous beer tents.
Music of all kinds is featured at numerous stage venues with beers on tap from around the globe: Beck’s from Germany, Kirin & Asahi from Japan, Carlsberg from Denmark, Corona from Mexico, Heineken from Holland, Tiger from Singapore, Budweiser from the states, and of course China’s Tsingtao Beer, just to name a few. Besides beer and themed mascots that follow the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, there’s tons of food, both Chinese and Western, to gorge on when you get the munchies.
If you’re at the east coast venue don’t forget, beautiful Shilaoren beach is just a 30 minute walk away! Mount Lao Scenic Recreation Area, only 30-40 minutes by bus or taxi from the Laoshan District Beer Fest, offers a refreshing reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the beer fest.
As a foreigner, you’ll be swamped with offers of free beers to “GanBei 干杯.” I’ve gone to the beer festival in the past and not had to buy a single beer. The Chinese are generous and kind, they are happy to show foreigners a good time. I’ve seen only a couple of fights all the times I’ve been there, and that’s pretty amazing considering the amount of drinking that’s going on. How good is the Qingdao Beer Festival? Take it from a professional drinker, you’ll have a good time! ~ 2006
Qingdao International Beer Festival History
This annual event started back in 1991 as the 100th birthday celebration of Qingdao City. Originally it lasted for two weeks and began with a grand opening concert and ceremony, followed by beer tasting, evening entertainment, drinking competitions, carnival events, and concluded with a themed final ceremony. These first celebrations took place at ZhongShan Park, across the street from TianTai Stadium on WenDeng Road.
With Fei Fei the dolphin as the original mascot and more than 40 breweries from around the globe (Japan, the United States, Canada, Singapore and Germany) showcasing their brews at this inaugural bash it is no wonder that the annual event grew in popularity to become Asia’s largest beer festival.
In subsequent years, the Qingdao International Beer Festival (青岛国际啤酒节) moved to HuiQuan Square and finally Beer City in 1996. In 2012, the festivities moved once again to Tsingtao Beer Passion Square (青岛啤酒激情广场), also known as Qingdao Century Square (青岛世纪广场).
Since 2015, Golden Sands Beach on Qingdao West Coast (Xihai’an – Huangdao), has served as the beer festivals main venue with satellite venues located in Laoshan District, Licang World Expo Park, and Pingdu City.
The Qingdao International Beer Festival has matured over the years into Asia’s largest annual beer festival (Asian Oktoberfest) with more than 200 beer brands from all over the world having successfully participated.
2025 Qingdao International Beer Festival Schedule
- Grand Opening Concert & Light Show: July 18th, 2025.
- Grand Opening Ceremony Parade: July 19th, 2025.
- Qingdao GanBei with the World! (青岛和世界干杯): August 16th, 2025.
- Closing Ceremony: August 17th, 2025.
Admission, Food, and Special Event Tickets
- General Admission: Free
- Beer and Food: Drinks and food are sold separately inside the festival grounds, with prices varying by vendor.
- Special Events: Certain concerts or special activities may require an additional ticket for entry.
Hotels Near Qingdao International Beer Festival
When planning your visit to the Qingdao International Beer Festival, selecting the right accommodation can enhance your experience. A variety of hotels cater to different preferences, whether you’re seeking beachfront views, proximity to the festival venues, or convenient access to city attractions.
Popular hotels at Golden Sands Beach WanRen Square (万人广场)
- Hilton Qingdao Golden Beach: 1 JiaLingJiang East Road 青岛金沙滩希尔顿酒店, 中国山东省青岛市黄岛开发区, 嘉陵江东路1号.
Popular hotels at Tsingtao Beer Passion Square (Qingdao Century Plaza)
- Hyatt Regency: 88 DongHai East Rd. 青岛鲁商凯悦酒店,东海东路88号.
- Kilin Crown Hotel: 197 XiangGang East Rd. 麒麟皇冠大酒店,香港东路197号.
- Sophia Int. Hotel: 217 XiangGang East Rd. 索菲亚国际酒店, 香港东路217号.
- SPR Hotel: 316 XianGang East Rd. 弄海园酒店,香港东路316号.
- Blue Horizon Hotel: 18 QinLing Rd. 蓝海大饭店,秦岭路18号.
- Home Inn: 33 XianXiaLing Rd. 如家快捷酒店(青岛香港中路店),仙霞岭路33号.
Other Places of Interest
- Qingdao Old Town – Full of German architecture and historical attractions.
- Qingdao Beer Street – Located in Taidong and centered around the Beer Museum & Tsingtao Beer Bar.
- Tsingtao Brewery Museum – China’s first beer museum and home of Tsingtao Beer.
- May Fourth Square – Monument to China’s May 4th Movement near the Olympic Sailing Center & International Marina.
- Zhanshan Temple – Close to the downtown Central Business District and the only temple and active Buddhist monastery located within Qingdao city limits.
The main venue of the Qingdao Beer Festival is at Golden Sands Beach WanRen Square, located on Qingdao West Coast (Xihai’an – Huangdao District) in Shandong province, China.
The festival has evolved from an annual two week international event during August into a month long Asian Oktoberfest. Festivities generally start late July and run through August.
Admission to the Qingdao Beer Festival is free. Beers and food at the event can be pricey.
Hilton Qingdao Golden Beach: 1 JiaLingJiang East Road 青岛金沙滩希尔顿酒店, 中国山东省青岛市黄岛开发区, 嘉陵江东路1号.
The Qingdao International Beer Festival, often referred to as the Asian Oktoberfest, is one of the largest beer festivals in Asia. More than 2,000 varieties of beer are available in nine halls. Additionally, the event hosts over 400 cultural performances and activities, encompassing sports competitions, live music concerts, art shows, and esports events.
The 2025 Qingdao International Beer Festival will be held July 18th through August 16th, 2025 at Golden Sands Beach (金沙滩) – WanRen Square (万人广场) on Qingdao’s West Coast.