Chongqing - The 4th Chongqing Urban Art Festival, themed "Open June," will take place from May 26 to June 26, 2026, offering a month-long celebration of artistic creativity, public engagement, and cultural performances throughout the southwestern Chinese metropolis.
The 4th Chongqing Urban Art Festival, themed "Open June," will take place from May 26 to June 26, 2026. (Photo/The Organizer)
The announcement was made at a press conference hosted by the Publicity Department of the Chongqing Municipal Committee. This year's festival aims to further integrate culture and tourism while enhancing the city's artistic appeal under the slogan "Majestic Landscape, Vibrant Chongqing."
The festival comprises three major components: the "Open June" Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SFAI) 2026 Graduation Season art tour; two flagship events, namely the "Riverside Art Scene" and the "Spark Plan" youth art co-creation month; and a series of more than 100 theatrical performances and over 30 exhibitions held across major theaters and art galleries, accompanied by consumer subsidies.
A map of the blooming June special project at SFAI. (Photo/SFAI)
"From New Year's Eve fireworks to the international light and shadow exhibition, we have been exploring the path of symbiosis between art and the city," said Gao Lin, Director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, at the conference.
Gao noted that last year's 14th China Art Festival helped make "watching performances, visiting exhibitions, and appreciating art" a new lifestyle staple in Chongqing. She said naming the festival "Open June" reflects both the city's open character and the rising trend of new popular art.
The festival is built on three pillars. First, it transforms public spaces—including campuses, exhibition halls, and even alleyways and riverbanks—into accessible, immersive art venues, creating a new paradigm of "landscape + light + music + fashion." Second, it brings together national masters, leading performers from Sichuan and Chongqing, university students, and young international street dance champions, with special focus on youth participation through events such as the 10th Chongqing University Student Drama Season. Third, it offers a mix of classic and premier performances, supported by over one million yuan in consumer vouchers, as well as live streams and online exhibitions.
Yuzhong District, as the historical and cultural heart of the city, will host art events at landmarks including Shibati, Eling Erchuang, and Raffles City. More than 30 premium performances and five thematic exhibitions will take place at venues such as the Guotai Arts Center and Chongqing Art Museum. Street art installations and volunteer services will be available throughout the district.
Nan'an District, located along the two rivers and four banks, will feature renowned artists, including traditional musician Fang Jinlong and dancer Wang Yabin at the Chongqing International Reception Hall. Performances will be held at Danzishi Square and Xiahao Lane, along with concerts at the Shiguangnan Grand Theater. The district will also launch a Culture and Tourism Carnival and promote a "ticket stub economy" to integrate sightseeing, local cuisine, and intangible cultural heritage offerings.
Chongqing High-tech Zone, home to the SFAI's Huxi Campus, has strengthened its public services, including signage, security, medical aid, and volunteer teams. Citizens are advised to use public transit, particularly the Rail Transit Line 1, to reach the campus. Nearby attractions include themed events celebrating motorcycle culture and coffee art, along with five curated travel routes covering ancient Chengdu-Chongqing trails, modern science landmarks, hot springs, youth art spots, and forest parks.
Jiao Xingtao, President of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, noted that the "Open June" graduation exhibition, now in its 21st year, has become a cultural fixture deeply woven into Chongqing's urban fabric.
Previous markets at SFAI. (Photo/SFAI)
He highlighted three major contributions: the exhibition serves as a talent reservoir for the city's creative industries, with over 2,000 graduates each year—many staying in Chongqing—and SFAI alumni having contributed to designs for China's lunar surface suit and mission logos for Shenzhou spacecraft; it functions as an open classroom for public aesthetic education, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and offering activities such as the "Little Artist Growth Camp" and a "Silver Hair Academy" for calligraphy and painting; and it acts as a super symbol of urban cultural branding, drawing tourists from across the country, driving local consumption, and generating significant social media buzz, forming a compound ecosystem of "art + tourism + commerce."
This year's graduation exhibition will run from May 27 to June 28, featuring over 2,000 works created by more than 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students across two campuses. Highlights include a "Museum Night" crossover visual show on May 26, combining 3D mapping, Beijing opera, and a fashion show, along with "Night Tour of the Art Museum" activities on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Hu Qihua, Secretary-General of the Chongqing Federation of Literary and Art Circles, outlined plans to attract young people to traditional Chinese opera and folk arts.
Key initiatives include the "Chongqing-style" excellence creation program, aiming to produce 60 works and cultivate 30 leading literary figures during the 15th Five-Year Plan period; the upgraded 10th Chongqing University Student Drama Season, which will feature cross-city collaboration with Chengdu; and innovative integration of traditional arts with modern aesthetics and new media.
Gao Lin added that Chongqing has developed a robust urban performance system, with large-scale commercial performances increasing by 71.42% from January to April this year. The city has won 81 national-level awards for stage and fine arts during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
For the festival, the first round of consumer vouchers will go live at 8:00 p.m. on May 26 via the "Chongqing Performance Information" mini-program. Livestreams will also distribute discount coupons.
The press conference ended with an invitation to journalists and the public to attend the festival, stroll along the riverbanks, explore the city's historic alleys, and experience the dynamic pulse of contemporary Chongqing.
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