The 10-day Oh! Castle Festival in Topu came to a close on July 20. This event is not just a simmering artistic carnival, but also offers a concentrated burst of the city's charm, where tradition collides with modernity, local converses with the international, and inspiration intertwines with passion.  

The second Oh! Castle Festival in Topu is held from July 11 to 20 in Haimen, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu]

As Asia's largest family-centric arts extravaganza, this year's festival unfolded under the theme "Fun & Theater", featuring over 150 exceptional productions from China and abroad. Puppetry dazzled with its ethereal grace, clowning charmed with its witty humor, while music and dance enchanted with their lyrical elegance – diverse art forms each radiating their own unique brilliance.

Furthermore, this year's edition weaves art into everyday life, enhancing both cultural tourism experiences and consumption potential. The festival introduced "‌Art+Consumption‌" discounts in collaboration with surrounding hotels and shops, allowing visitors to ‌enjoy daily conveniences‌ while being ‌immersed in an artistic ambiance‌.

In addition to the performance venues, over 30 specialty stalls showcased Shanghai's delicate pastries, Suzhou's cultural products, and Nantong's distinctive food. Visitors wandered through this vibrant marketplace, surrounded by the aroma of gourmet treats and the creative energy of artistic displays, discovering life's most authentic pleasures.

Over 30 specialty stalls featuring delicate pastries, cultural products, and distinctive food are available outside the performance venues. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu]