The best non-Halloween things to do this weekend

The best things to do this weekend (that don't involve dressing up)

It's Halloween this weekend and we'd be lying if we said that we weren't excited. That being said, we get that Halloween isn't everyone's cup of tea, so we've put together a brilliant lineup of events that won't have you shrieking in terror. Whether you're after killer parties (and not the horror-filled kind), live music or swanky stage productions, there's not a Halloween costume to be found here.

And if you're simply checking out this list out of curiosity and are still interested in celebrating Halloween, check out our guide of the best things to do this All Hallow's Eve.

THINGS TO DO

Farm to Neighbors market

The Grand Summit. Sat 28-Sun 29. Free

After two weeks away due to the National Party Congress, Farm to Neighbors returns with its largest second-hand exchange event of the year. On Saturday, trade in your pre-loved goods, while on Sunday head down for a special Halloween edition of their usual market (but only if you'd like to).

Roundabout book fair

Dulwich College (Legend Garden Campus). Sat 28-Tue 31. Free

The Roundabout Book Fair arrives at Dulwich with thousands of books for all the family on sale including different genres, languages, children's books and more. If not priced, books will go for 10RMB (paperback) or 20RMB (hardback). Some cost even less. Don't miss this chance to pick up a bargain! All proceeds will help children in need.

Beijing ghost tour

Newman Tours Beijing. Sun 29. 290-390RMB

This tour may have come about due to Halloween, but this guided tour of Beijing's hutongs is a brilliant one for history junkies as well. Learn why Chinese zombies bounce, who hanged himself next to Emperor Chongzhen behind the Forbidden City, why the ghost of the tragic Bell Tower lady is always saying thank you and loads more (and there's absolutely no need to wear a costume). 

FOOD AND DRINK

Small is beautiful

Sureno. Fri 27. 588RMB 

Explore the world of Austrian biodynamic wines at Sureno's exclusive dining event. Join sommelier Ashley Gao for canapes and a four-course menu paired with six Austrian wines. Menu highlights include foie gras torchon with apple and elderflower, and seared pork tenderloin with potato, spek and roasted rose sauce. 

NIGHTLIFE

Must Die

Sir Teen. Fri 27. Tickets tbc

Lee Bates, aka Must Die!, is a Houston-born and Seattle-based dubstep, electro-house, and drum & bass producer. Known for his versatility, Bates has collaborated with the likes of Skrillex, Datsik and Zomboy, as well as had a multitude of releases on labels Never Say Die, OWSLA, Ultra and countless others.

Alessandro Adriani

Dada. Sat 28. Tickets tbc

Born and raised in Roma, Italy and now living in Berlin, Alessandro Adriani is the brain behind Mannequin Records. Previously active as Newclear Waves, he later developed an interest for remixes/edits, including a smoking edit of Lata Ramasar’s proto-house bubbler 'The Greatest Name That Lives'.

MUSIC

Behind the Shadow Drops + Xie Yugang

Yugong Yishan. Fri 27. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale)

Behind the Shadow Drops is the latest solo endeavour from Takaakira 'Taka' Goto, founding guitarist and composer of iconic Japanese band MONO. He's joined by Xie Yugong, frontman of China’s biggest post-rock band Wang Wen who will present his new album Echo Library.

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

Blue Note. Fri 27-Sat 28. 280-480RMB

Heralded by JazzTimes magazine as 'jazz’s young style god' and 'the architect of a new commercially viable fusion', the Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter last year won JazzFM’s Innovation of the Year award along with the DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star Composer. 

STAGE

Nederland Dans Theatre dance programme

NCPA. Fri 27-Sun 29. 100-680RMB

For nearly six decades, the Netherlands Dans Theatre has been the gold standard in balletic modern dance. This weekend, the Dutch dance company brings its world-class shows to Beijing. Our picks of the best shows include Shutters Shut, Woke Up Blind, In The Event and Shoot the Moon.

Beijing Music Festival: Closing Gala

Poly Theatre. Sun 29. 80-880RMB

Beijing Music Festival's Shaping The Future of Classical Music concert closes the festival, with Long Yu conducting the China Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring stellar violinist Maxim Vengerov. Programme includes Strauss, Beethoven, and a world premiere from Qigang Chen.

ART

Meridian: a photography, storytelling and live art exhibition about women

27 Yard. Sun 29. 100RMB

Meridian is a multi-media showcase of photography, live sculpture, storytelling and dance that explores how women challenge, evade, and embrace the passing of time in their lives. This event will feature the stories and portraits of diverse women and make you rethink your own ideas about women aging. 

Captive of Love: Exhibition of Danwen Xing

Red Brick Contemporary Art Museum. Oct 4-29. Free

Intelligently put together by renowned curator Tarek Abou El Fetouh, the exhibition is a survey of this important artist’s career, and also a presentation of the history of Chinese avant-garde art through the subjective lens of Danwen Xing. Captive of Love focuses on Xing's relationship to the city, as well as a personal narrative of her own generation in China during the 1990s.

FILM

Hugoeast screening: Petersburg. A Selfie

Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. Fri 27. 30RMB

Filmed exclusively by women directors, Petersburg. A Selfie is a beautifully shot declaration of love to the city on the Neva. Featuring seven different novellas, these snapshots of St. Petersburg each tell their own story about love and loneliness, luck and hope. 

Blade Runner 2049

Cinemas around Beijing. Oct 26-Nov 10. Various

A young blade runner's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years. Stars Ryan Gosling, Jared Leto and Harrison Ford.

For more brilliant things to do this weekend, hit '阅读原文'.

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