19 Things to Do in Beijing During Golden Week
It seems like everyone is packing up their stuff and leaving Beijing for the holiday. But just in case you are planning on sticking around for Golden Week, here's our guide on what to do in Beijing from October 1-7. From live shows to epic parties to food-and-drink specials, rest assured that there is plenty going on in Beijing during the holiday.
Food & Drink
Oct 1: Über-Jing Oktoberfest Launch Party
To kick off the National Day holiday, Jing-A will be launching their seasonal Über-Jing Oktoberfest Lager at The Big Smoke on Saturday at 3pm. What better way to celebrate a week off of work than with buy-one-get-one deals on liter steins of beer. Don’t worry, there will be food too. The kitchen will be serving up German fare. For RMB80 you’ll be able to stuff your face with pinwheel sausage, fresh-baked pretzels, sauerkraut and roasted potatoes.
Sat Oct 1. 3pm. The Big Smoke, 57 Xingfucun Zhong Lu, by Chunxiu Lu 朝阳区 幸福村中路57号楼利世楼 (6416 5195)
Oct 1: Celebrate Rosh Hashana with MoxiMoxi
It’s not only the start of Golden Week on Saturday. Rosh Hashana (the Jewish new year) is also happening this weekend. And MoxiMoxi will be celebrating on Saturday with some excellent food.
Sat Oct 1, 3pm-midnight. MoxiMoxi
Oct 1-7: Two-For-One Beers at Arrow Factory
Arrow Factory is celebrating the holiday by spoiling its loyal patrons with deals on beer all week long. There will be buy-one-get-one beer specials at both locations starting on Saturday, October 1.
Arrow Factory Brewing (Liangmahe): 1 Xindong Lu (at Liangmahe Nanlu) 朝阳区新东路1号 (亮马河南路)(8532 5335)
Arrow Factory Taproom: 9 Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区箭厂胡同9号(6407 6308)
Starting Oct 1: Feast Afternoon Tea Set
If you’re looking for a place to relax and do a little indulging during the holiday, Feast is the place. Beginning October 1, they will be serving their afternoon tea set (daily, 3-5pm). Each afternoon tea set serves two and comes with baked goods like mini red velvet cupcakes and mini apple tartlets and a selection of savory goods from egg salad sandwiches to beef bruschetta.
Starting Oct 1. Daily, 3-5pm. RMB188 (per set, serves two). Feast, 2F, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu (8426 0888)
Parties
Sep 30: REC room.live - Launch Party
We know the holiday doesn’t technically start until Saturday. But there are tons of parties going on tonight (Friday Sept 30). After a lengthy hiatus, REC is back. The whole place has been redesigned, and it is now complete with a custom DJ booth smack in the middle of the dance floor. For tonight’s launch party there will be four guest artists, ranging from hip-hop to reggae to techno. Each set will last an hour and will be broadcast to the world. There will also be free beer all night long. If you want to go, make sure to RSVP through WeChat (Wechat ID:RECroom) because this party is invite only.
Fri Sep 30, 9pm. Invite only. REC, 4F,Tongli Building (South Entrance) Sanlitun 北京市朝阳区三里屯后街同里南门4楼 (6413 1019)
Sep 30: Bow Wow at VICS
You might know him as Lil' Bow Wow but now that he’s all grown up he’s going by Bow Wow. And he’ll be performing tonight at Vics.
Fri Sep 30, 10pm-4am. RMB100. Vics. Inside the North Gate of the Workers' Stadium, by Gong Ti Bei Lu 朝阳区工体北门内,近工体北路(5293 0333)
Sep 30: Bye Bye Disco and Rare Voice present Nicolai Zellmani
Nicolai Zellmani is a major player in the Stockholm underground music scene. Best known for his ambient deep house and techno grooves, the legendary DJ will be performing tonight at Dada.
Fri Sep 30, 10pm-late. Price TBD, Dada. Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie 鼓楼东大街206号 B楼 101室 (183 1108 0818)
Oct 1: Sweater Weather
Head over to Aotu Studio on Saturday to celebrate the crisp Fall season with Sweater Weather. There will be plenty of Mediterranean food, handmade cocktails and dancing going on on their Beixinqiao terrace. To set the tone DJs Kyle Page and Kalle will be performing.
Sat Oct 1, 5pm-midnight. Aotu Studio. 67 Beixinqiao Toutiao, Dongcheng 东城区北新桥头条67号 (8408 4189)
Oct 1: Falcons
Los Angeles DJ and producer Falcons is known for his blends of hip-hop, R&B and electronic. And he’ll be touching down in Beijing – Dada to be specific – on Saturday, October 1.
Sat Oct 1, 10pm. Price TBD. Dada, Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie 鼓楼东大街206号 B楼 101室 (183 1108 0818)
Oct 1: Nakadia
Nakadia is huge. She just so happens to be one of the most well-known female DJs in the world, and she’ll be landing right here at Lantern on Saturday night. Local favorites Pancake Lee, Aliberti and Shenyue will support.
Sat Oct 1, 10.30pm. RM80, Lantern. B1, Bldg 33, Sanlitun Lu, by Gongchang Bei Lu 三里屯33大厦B1楼 (185 0040 7732)
Oct 2: Dim Sum Disco featuring Justin Vandervolgen
Dim Sum Disco is back, and to celebrate they’ll be putting on an epic dance party with DJ Justin Vandervolgen. He’s long been a major player on the New York City underground scene, and is known for his original dance jams and disco sounds. This will be Vandervolgen’s first appearance in Beijing, and it’s gonna be a good one.
Sun Oct 2, Price TBD. Dada, Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie 鼓楼东大街206号 B楼 101室(183 1108 0818)
Gigs
Sep 30: 'Godfather of Rock' Cui Jian's 30-Year Retrospective Concert
Known as China's "Godfather of Rock," Cui Jian will be performing at Workers’ Stadium tonight. He’s had an impressive 30-year career. He’s gone from being the trumpet player for the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra to creating incredibly popular folk-rock songs to releasing numerous albums. His shows are always entertaining, so it’s bound to be a good time.
Fri Sep 30, 7pm-10pm. RMB380-1680, Workers' Stadium.
Oct 1-2: School Live Bar presents Bad Education
School Bar is bringing us an entire weekend of music with its Bad Education series. On Saturday (Oct 1) Candy Monster, Me Guan Me, The Paper Tigers and Goldwater will be performing. And on Sunday The Twenties, Heat Mark, The Diagon Alley and Football Hooligans will be taking the stage.
Oct 1-2, 8pm-late. RMB60. School Bar. 53 Wudaoying Hutong 东城区五道营胡同53号(6402 8881)
Oct 6: Kesha
The past two years have been troubling ones for Kesha, who remains locked in a legal battle with producer Dr. Luke over sexual assault allegations. But following her first high-profile performance since the lawsuit began (a cameo with Zedd at this year’s Coachella) it looks like Kesha is getting back to what she’s best known for: singing about partying.
Thu Oct 6, 7.30pm; RMB299-RMB999; LeSports Center (formally MasterCard Center), (en.damai.cn, 400 610 3721), 69 Fuxing Lu, by Xicui Lu 海淀区复兴路69号
Art
Ongoing: Andy Warhol: Contact
Andy Warhol: Contact features pioneering film, photography and interactive installations by one of the 20th century’s most influential and famous artists. It’s a major solo exhibition – running until next January – and for good reason: Warhol’s career spanned decades, from silent film photography in the 1960s to polaroid-shot portraits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Keep an eye out for cameos by a bevy of Warhol’s famous subjects: Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and Edie Sedgwick, plus more. There is also an installation of Warhol’s ‘Silver Clouds’, shimmering pillow-like shapes, which float serenely through the exhibition space. There are plenty more surprises to be had, so check it out for your fifteen minutes of fame.
Every Tuesday-Sunday until Jan 7, 10.30am-6pm. M Woods, 798 Art District, D-06, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥2号798艺术区D-06
And All the Rest...
Through October: Beijing Design Week
Beijing Design Week (BJDW) is back with its usual packed schedule of talks, exhibitions, installments and more. It's already well underway, but the name Design Week is misleading – much of it stretches well into October. Check out our pick of this year’s most promising events and areas that will be transformed over the next few weeks in our full article. For a full rundown of the event, head to www.bjdw.org.
Oct 1: British Motorsport Festival, Beijing
The British Motorsport Festival will be in Beijing from October 1-2 – and it’s going to be big. Over 4000 people are expected to attend the festivities at Goldenport International Circuit in Beijing. There will be tons of activities and events going on, which makes it the perfect place to go with the family.
There will be loads of activities for serious racers and car enthusiasts. But don’t worry, if you’re an amateur racer or if your car knowledge isn’t up to snuff, there will be tons going on to entertain you too.
Among the many events going on during the two-day fest, are vintage car shows, children’s go-karting, laps, race driver certification courses, music and live bands, and so much more. It really will be fun for the whole family.
Sat Oct 1, 10:00am-6.30pm. Goldenport International Circuit, Jinzhanxiang, Chaoyang District, Beijing 奥迪金港汽车公园，北京市朝阳区金盏乡金盏大道
Oct 1-2: Picnic & Food Market in the Park
Farm to Neighbors Farmers' Market will be going strong this weekend (Oct 1-2) at Lavin, Tai Yang Gong. Jing-A, Lily's Handmade, 700Bike Hooah Squad and so many other market vendors will be on the scene to usher in the National Holiday.
Sat-Sun Oct 1-2, 11am-5pm. Nyonya Kitchen (Taiyanggong), CapitaMall Taiyanggong Unit 10 & 11, 4th Floor,12 Taiyanggong Zhong Lu 北京市朝阳区 太阳宫中路12号楼 凯德MALL 太阳宫 4层10/11号（150 1035 0681）
October 1-7 - Vintage Fair at Wukesong
Nothing says autumn like a cozy, well-worn leather jacket. Where are you going to get yours? One option is ‘Park City Fes’, an outdoor festival celebrating vintage aesthetics and lifestyles, presented by Feige Vintage Fair.
Feige has been organizing vintage fairs in Beijing and Shanghai for several years now, each one more vibrant and enjoyable than the last. This one should be no exception. Vendors will be selling fine vintage clothing, vintage cars and motorcycles – and even vintage skateboards. For those who aren’t in the market for a new autumn look, you can join in the American football tournament, try your moves in the skate park, or beat your friends at foosball in the arcade. There’s even a kids’ bike competition for the little ones. A variety of bands and DJs will be playing throughout the festival, and if your creative juices are flowing, you can attend craft workshops and learn some new artistic skills.
The cutting edge of fashion meets nostalgic vintage style in the heart of Beijing. Join the style revolution (through regression); see and be seen at Park City Fes.
Oct 1-7, 1pm-8pm; HI-PARK Basketball Theme Park, 69 Fuxing Lu, Wukesong, Haidian 海淀区五棵松文化体育广场（南侧）西南侧 HI-PARK篮球主题公园
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