The opening ceremony of the 2026 Summer Cultural and Tourism Series of Events officially kicked off at the Xiushui Street on the evening of July 5. With the comprehensive integration of Ningbo’s cultural and tourism resources, there will be over 100 characteristic activities with six themes revolving around three cores.

12 themed weeks

This series of events will span across 12 themed weeks, until the end of September.

Among others, the “week of shows and trendy toys”, the first themed week, will start from July 6, with such characteristic flash mob performances as the national style parade at the Xiushui Street, retro performances, and street live performances taking place in rotation. The Ningbo boutique consumption map has been launched at the ceremony.

For those who like leisure and relaxation, the “summer lying-flat week” is a must. One can experience camping at such places as Dongqian Lake, Fuquan Mountain, and Songlan Mountain, enjoying relaxing summer time under the stars on the beach.

During the “summer working-out week”, the “Romantic Moonlight Running” event will be held by the Tianfei Lake, featuring a 13.14-kilometer exclusive running track, the healing market, the light show and other elements, creating a new summer night running scenario for “light sports + light socializing”.

The “Fishing Festival week” will be the most enjoyable, when participants can attend the traditional sea worship ceremony and the sailing ceremony of the Fishing Festival, and experience the East China Sea fishing customs and culture. The catering brand will bring about the first bite of the seafood from the sea.

Both land and water activities

It is reported that this summer a diversified night tour format will be launched, involving both land and water activities.

Among them, Jiufeng Mountain Tourist Area (Wangao Scenic Area) will launch its night tours for the first time in early July this year since the last attempt 23 years ago. At the time, the “Firefly Wonderful Night” will be launched, where tourists can experience the wildness and the light and shadow art in the cool mountain breeze.

Meanwhile, major scenic spots in Ningbo, including Ningbo Museum, Ningbo Wildlife Park, Ningbo Fantawild Tourist Area, Ningbo Botanical Garden, and Xiangshan Ancient Fishing Port, will all be open during the summer night, providing tourist with more nighttime travel options. The Internet-famous night markets of the Chenghuang Temple, Cicheng Ancient Town, the Mr. Box Plaza, Yangming Ancient Town, and the Mingyue Lake, will all be open, integrating such diversified businesses as food, cultural creativity, fashion play and live performances.

What is particularly worth looking forward to is that at the end of July, the new cruise route around the Luocheng area will be officially launched, and the micro theater on the Nantang River will present the immersive water performance experiences.

In addition, the new “catering + performance” business pattern will be adopted by the iPN Fishing Ship Factory, the Tongfu Inn, and Ningbo Banquet, to upgrade the urban nighttime leisure experience and activate the summer night catering economy.

Cool water sports in summer

By integrating high-quality ecological resources of coastal areas, valleys and lakes, the top ten popular scenic spots in Ningbo will join hands to offer cool water holidays throughout the city.

For example, coastal areas like the Dongdan Beach of Xiangshan County are open for surfing and fishing boat experiences, allowing tourists to experience the authentic life of fishermen. Tourists can experience such water sports as sailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing in places like the Songlan Mountain Scenic Area, the Dongqian Lake, and the Meishan Bay.

All major canyons in the city will be open for drifting, with more than 20 drifting sites including the Qingyun Gorge of Haishu District, the Tiger Leaping Cliff of Hengjie Town, the Shuangxi River of Fenghua District, and the Heilong Pool of Yuyao County, providing tourists with thrilling and cool water experiences.

The other themed events worth looking forward to include the pioneering mountain rafting of the Jiulong Lake of Zhenhai District, a water-based vacation scene for all ages; and the water-splashing festival activities of Ningbo Fantawild and Xiangshan Film and Television City, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the water sports experiences for a cool summer.