Shandong's three autumn fairs kick off in Binzhou, celebrating the harvest. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Autumn has arrived in Shandong, and with it, the province's beloved "big fairs". The 2026 Autumn Yellow River Fair, Grand Canal Fair, and Ocean Fair kicked off on Sept 23 in Zhanhua district, Binzhou, alongside the 28th Zhanhua Winter Jujube Festival.

The event brings premium cultural resources directly to local communities and runs through late October. It showcases the province's rich harvest heritage across its three iconic waterways: the Yellow River, the Grand Canal, and the sea.

The fair features dedicated zones for agricultural products, traditional crafts, specialty foods, and smart technology. Highlights include winter jujubes from Zhanhua, iron woks from Zhangqiu, and seafood from the coastal region. Livestreaming booths bring in online viewers, while cultural performances and free health consultations add to the vibrant scene.

Since the Yellow River Fair debuted in 2022, Shandong's "three big fairs" have evolved from simple promotions into a flagship platform for cultural consumption and rural vitalization, linking farmers, businesses, and consumers across the province.