Christmas 2016: Beijing Winter Holiday Market Guide

The holiday season is now in full effect. We don’t know about you, but we’re pretty excited about all the holiday hullabaloo going on around Beijing lately. And it looks like hotels, restaurants and shops around the capital are getting into the spirt of things, too. For those of us who haven't started our holiday shopping yet, there are a bunch of holiday markets and bazaars going on throughout the month of December.

Here are a few or our picks: 

Dec 3: Hilton Beijing Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Charity Bazaar

The Hilton will be celebrating the holiday season with its festive Christmas Train and Village. Head over with the family for the ceremonial lighting of their giant Christmas tree (Dec 3, 6-6.30pm). And do a little holiday shopping at their massive charitable bizarre (from 2-8pm), which will feature over 70 vendors. All proceeds will be donated to the Morning Tears Organization, so you can rest assured it's for a good cause.

1 Dongfang Lu, Dong Sanhuan Bei Lu 朝阳区东三环北路东方路1号 (010-5865 5000)

Dec 10: Zeit Berlin Bazaar Family Christmas

Zeit Berlin will be hosting a holiday lifestyle bazaar. There will be plenty of shopping, including books, toys, clothing, jewelry, home goods and more. You can also expect a ton of workshops, food and prizes.

Sat Dec 10, 11am-6pm. Free entry. Zeit Berlin, 1F Royal Palace Hotel, No.6 Xiaoyunli, Chaoyang 朝阳区霄云里6号 城宝饭店内1楼 (15110160573) For more information add WeChat "berlin-bazaar" or email [e-mail].

Dec 11: Fangjia Hutong Christmas Market

Fangjia Hutong is a great place to do a little holiday shopping, especially so on Sunday December 11. There will be 30 holiday-themed vendors scattered around. Shopping aside, there will be tons of performance artists, street food, hot drinks and arts and crafts on site. The event is absolutely free, but you can buy tickets for RMB120 which will get you RMB200 worth of food, drinks and other items from six locations: Fang Bar, El Nido, Cartoccio, Ramo, Mimi e Coco and Hot Cat Club. You’ll also get an RMB20 voucher to use at any stand at the market. Tickets are available at all six locations or you can call 13718163726 or use WeChat ID: antoinepicot.

Sun Dec 11, 2-8pm. Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区方家胡同

Dec 14: Beijing Christmas Market @ 5Lmeet

5Lmeet is all the rage right now, and they’ll be hosting their first Christmas Market event on Wednesday December 14. There will be plenty of holiday tunes, hot beverages and food by new 5Lmeet residents, Hatchery. Oh and did we mention there will be shopping too? Because there will be.

Wed Dec 14, 5-9pm. RMB10 (to be donated to charity). 88 Dongsi Jiutiao, Dongcheng 东城区东城区东四九条88号

Dec 17-18 & 24-25: Farm to Neighbors Christmas Market

As always, Farm to Neighbors’ Christmas Market will be held during the two weekends before and during Christmas – just in time for some last-minute holiday shopping. Expect 50 great vendors as well as all the regular local producers you've come to know and love from the Farm to Neighbors farmers’ market. Not only can you shop till you drop but you can even make your own gifts. Special workshops include paint-your-own Christmas cards and make-your-own stuffed teddy bear.

Dec 17-18 & 24-25, 12-6pm. The Grand Summit, 19 Dongfang Dong Lu, Liangmaqiao Chaoyang district 朝阳区东方东路19号官舍 (8531 0150) For more information, please contact: 18600116714.

Until Dec 24: Vintage China Movie Posters

A Beijing-based movie art collector is selling off some of his vintage poster collection in the build up to Christmas. The sale, which started on November 19, features over 2,000 items, from lobby cards to full-sized posters. All are theater-used originals from around the world, and all have (some sort of) China connection. Prices range from RMB80 to RMB30,000, so there should be something for casual Christmas shoppers and movie aficionados alike. Frames are also available at the sale, which will be open on Tuesdays and Saturdays until Christmas Eve.

Every Tue, (1-9pm) and Sat (10am-6pm), until Dec 24; 10-2-31, Sanlitun Diplomatic Residence Compound, 12 Sanlitun Dongsanjie, Chaoyang朝阳区三里屯东三街12号三里屯外交公寓10-2-31 (for more information email Julian Fisher on [e-mail])

Until Dec 24: Charitable Book Donations at EAST

Sure, December is all about holiday shopping, but we should all think about giving back too. EAST Beijing has partnered up with Roundabout, MOBO Design and Penguin Books China and set up the Christmas Tree of Knowledge in their lobby. Starting December 1, you can stop by and add your books to the tree. On December 26, all of the books will be donated to Educating Girls of Rural China.

22 Jiuxianqiao Road (Jiuxianqiao Lu) 酒仙桥路22号

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