Summer carnival lights up night economy in Longhua

Mission Hills Group is turning up the summer fun with its "Night Glow Adventure – Summer Carnival," a two-month festival that combines food, sports, music, cultural performances, and family entertainment to boost the night-time economy in Longhua District.

A scene from the summer carnival. Photos courtesy of Mission Hills Group

Running from June 27 through the end of August, the carnival transforms MH Mall into a one-stop destination for day-to-night experiences. Organized around four signature attractions — themed exhibitions, a night market, a food fair, and a lineup of sports events — the festival offers visitors a weather-friendly summer getaway with plenty to see, eat, shop, and enjoy.

The festivities opened with the fourth Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Trend Culture Festival, held June 27-28. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the event has become a platform for cultural exchange between young people from the two cities.

A scene from the summer carnival.

Visitors also enjoyed pickleball experiences, Hong Kong-style creative markets, and live Cantonese pop performances.

The Night Glow Market debuted in early July, bringing together traditional handicrafts, intangible cultural heritage products, and creative gifts under sparkling lights. In mid-July, the Summer Food Fair followed with barbecue, local delicacies, refreshing drinks, desserts, and live entertainment, including band performances, magic shows, Sichuan face-changing opera, and Yingge Dance, a traditional Chinese folk performance recognized as intangible cultural heritage.

A scene from the summer carnival.

Sports competitions have also become a major attraction. From July 10 to 12, the Tamiya Mini 4WD National Championship (Shenzhen Station) drew racing enthusiasts from across China for professional competitions and interactive experiences. During the FIFA World Cup final week, a Glow Soccer Challenge invited families and Soccer fans to join fun outdoor competitions inspired by the global sporting event.

For younger visitors, the Mission Hills Ocean World Sea Lion Carnival has added to the summer excitement with interactive performances and family-friendly entertainment.

Meanwhile, Mission Hills' long-running cultural brand, the "Sing at Mission Hills" Singing Competition, returns for its 14th edition this August. Since its launch, the contest has attracted participants aged 6 to 65 from Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and other cities across the Greater Bay Area.

A scene from the summer carnival.

The summer finale will feature the CKU Pet Grooming Competition and the FIBA OPEN 3×3 Mission Hills Station, bringing together basketball players from across the region.

By combining culture, sports, shopping, and entertainment, the "Night Glow Adventure – Summer Carnival" has become one of Shenzhen's signature summer events, drawing growing crowds and injecting fresh vitality into the region's nighttime economy and summer tourism market.