On May 15, the launch ceremony for Shijiazhuang's 2026 Nighttime Economic Development was held at Mixc World. Starting from this date, key commercial and service enterprises across the city will extend their business hours until 10:00 PM. A series of themed activities will be launched simultaneously, aiming to create a comprehensive nighttime consumption experience encompassing "dining, shopping, tourism, entertainment, culture, and sports." This initiative seeks to transform the nighttime economy from scale expansion to quality upgrading.
This year, Shijiazhuang's nighttime economy development is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade. A series of new landmarks, scenes, and brands with local characteristics are being introduced. Efforts are focused on optimizing the two core nighttime consumption landmarks: the Zhengding Ancient City and the Wanli Temple commercial district. The city plans to cultivate a group of municipal-level benchmark nighttime economy scenes, including the Hutuo River Ecological Art Island, Zhiyin 1953 Cultural and Art Park, and Guluan Water Town, to continuously unleash the potential of nighttime consumption.
On May 16, the inaugural Shijiazhuang Youth Drama Festival commenced at the Zhiyin 1953 Cultural and Art Park, with the venue filled to capacity. "This is a professional drama festival specifically tailored for young people, featuring local original works alongside outstanding productions from other regions, providing a platform for young dramatists to showcase, exchange ideas, and grow creatively," said Li Liyin, the manager of the Shangzuo'er Theater in Warehouse 3 of the Zhiyin 1953 Cultural and Art Park. She noted that reservations for some popular shows were fully booked within half a day of opening, with attendance rates exceeding 90%.
The festival will run from May 16 to June 7, featuring 101 performances by 49 theater troupes from across the country, 90 of which are public welfare performances. "I didn't expect to see such high-level drama in Shijiazhuang. The lighting, music, and acting were all excellent," said Yin Yaran, a resident of Shijiazhuang. She added that evenings now offer not only night markets and food but also the opportunity to enjoy drama close to home, making nighttime leisure choices more diverse.
Regarding the integration of business formats, Shijiazhuang will promote the transformation of commercial districts into "integrated complexes of culture, tourism, and commerce." It encourages catering businesses to open "late-night eateries" and introduces diverse cultural and entertainment forms such as local opera, rock performances, stand-up comedy, and immersive theater. Nighttime tourism projects like light and water shows and immersive performances are being upgraded. Regular public sports events, including fluorescent night runs and community basketball games, are being organized to foster the comprehensive development of nighttime activities related to food, shopping, tourism, entertainment, and reading.
To continuously stimulate nighttime consumption vitality, the Shijiazhuang Municipal Commerce Bureau will distribute nighttime economy benefit redemptions through the "Shi i Min" app and Alipay platform to attract more residents and tourists to nighttime consumption scenes. "We will orderly advance the national pilot program for incentivized invoices, continuously optimize award settings, and expand participation platforms, allowing residents to enjoy both fun and benefits during nighttime consumption," said Cheng Gang, Director of the Market Operation and Consumption Promotion Section of the Shijiazhuang Municipal Commerce Bureau.
Furthermore, this year, Shijiazhuang will host a series of brand events, including the "Cheers Shijiazhuang · Enjoy New Nightlife" Beer Plaza activities, the Shijiazhuang Food Culture and Tourism Exhibition, and the Shijiazhuang Industrial Heritage Night Tour Carnival. "We will continue to create immersive, interactive, and experiential new nighttime consumption scenes, making the nighttime economy a sustained driver of urban economic growth and a distinctive symbol of the city's image," Cheng Gang stated.
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