During the May Day holiday, 798 Art District offered a uniquely relaxed festive experience by blending urban culture, cultural tourism consumption, and a pet-friendly lifestyle. The YEYIYE Life Festival drew a total of 300,000 visits, received extensive coverage from major media outlets including CCTV News, Beijing TV, Beijing Daily, and Chaoyang Media, and generated more than 2.2 billion media impressions, up 114% year on year. Its creative and highly interactive programs also sparked lively discussion on Xiaohongshu and other social platforms, making 798 one of Beijing’s most talked-about international art destinations this holiday.

Scenes from the YEYIYE Life Festival

CCTV News coverage

Unlock 798’s signature cross-disciplinary art experiences

What makes a holiday at 798 special? Visitors could explore nearly 100 cultural and artistic events, meet renowned artists from China and abroad, and immerse themselves in a vibrant on-site art experience.

Polish artist Beata Bojda brought her paper flower craft, rooted in Polish folk tradition, to 798 through a hands-on workshop. Under the guidance of the artist, who turned to art at the age of 50, ordinary crepe paper gradually transformed into vivid handmade artworks.

Crowds also gathered around the public artwork Two Trees in the Creative Square, where operatic performances periodically emerged from inside the installation, adding another memorable layer to the holiday atmosphere.

At the same time, venues including 798CUBE and the 798 Hyper Vision VR Cinema presented nearly 70 art exhibitions, enriching visitors’ short holiday trips with an intensive artistic offering.

From Baduanjin and Wuqinxi sessions to parent-child yoga, family-friendly flea markets, and an outdoor cinema staged among industrial heritage spaces, 798 introduced a range of immersive leisure programs that appealed to trend-conscious young visitors and families alike. These fresh holiday experiences were continuously highlighted by major media outlets such as Beijing Chaoyang, CNR, Beijing Chaoyang Culture & Tourism, and Beijing LOOK.

Media coverage from Beijing TV, Beijing Chaoyang, Beijing Daily, Beijing LOOK, Beijing Chaoyang Culture & Tourism, and CNR

Creative topics also ignited social media. In response to trending interests around pets, healing lifestyles, and grassroots competitions, 798 launched pet markets, sculpture cosplay competitions, and other interactive programs. On Xiaohongshu, the topic “YEYIYE Life Festival” surpassed 50,000 views in a single day.

The renovated Train District debuted with the Dang A Summer Train Strolling Festival, where pet fairs, pet yoga, and DIY workshops welcomed young pet owners and families. Meanwhile, 798’s first Sculpture Cosplay Competition, co-created with Xiaohongshu’s grassroots challenge community, invited the public to become “living sculptures” and unleashed a wave of creativity across social media.

From an international art feast to sports, family activities, and pet-friendly experiences, 798’s YEYIYE Life Festival presented a holiday program where culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and exhibitions were deeply integrated. As one of Beijing’s iconic cultural landmarks, 798 will continue to create art-powered, diversified lifestyles and provide citizens and visitors with more immersive, engaging, and warm cultural experiences during their holidays.