Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

K11 ECOAST, a waterfront art and cultural district in Shekou, has launched its annual “Moonrise By the Sea” series, bringing international performances, intangible cultural heritage experiences and family-oriented attractions for the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays.

The program comes as Shenzhen prepares to host the upcoming APEC meeting and continues to expand its cultural and consumer offerings. Foot traffic and sales at the district on Mid-Autumn Festival day rose by double digits compared with the same period last year, the operator said.

French contemporary street theater company Remue Ménage presented the Chinese mainland debut of its signature work “Le Bal” with a Mid-Autumn Festival edition. The promenade performance features illuminated performers, flower fairies and a giant glowing white horse moving along the Taizi Bay waterfront.

Alongside international programming, K11 ECOAST is spotlighting regional traditions. Working with the Shenzhen Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association and inheritors of Chaozhou-Shantou folk shadow puppetry, the district has created a “Moonlit Shadow Theater” that combines exhibitions, performances and hands-on workshops. Visitors can learn about traditional puppet-making and shadow-and-light techniques.

A lantern exhibition returned with new installations by Luo Zhihuan, a national-level inheritor of Foshan lantern-making. Using bamboo frames and colored paper scales, Luo has crafted more than 100 fish lanterns to evoke a traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn atmosphere along the waterfront.

On Oct. 1 and 2, the Guangdong Province Puppet Art Theater will bring the beloved dolphin mascots of the 2025 National Games for a waterfront parade, the final stop of the mascots’ tour across K11 projects in the Greater Bay Area.

Meanwhile, candlelight concerts and live seaside music performances will also run throughout the holiday period, spanning film scores, jazz, pop and traditional music.