18 brilliant things to do this weekend

Featuring killer gigs, glitzy stage productions and Christmas treats

Another weekend, another excellent selection of events for you to take a swing at. Whether you're after raging parties, gluttonous food events or electrifying gigs, the capital's got your back. Your weekend = sorted.

THINGS TO DO

Farm to Neighbors market

The Grand Summit. Sat 25-Sun 26. Free

Farm to Neighbors is teaming up with Friends of Nature, Ginko Foundation, Go Zero Waste, Eco House and The Bulk House to host a special weekend market that focuses on reducing waste. Talks and workshops during the farmers’ market will all surround the topic of creating zero waste.

May Fourth and the birth of modern China

St Joseph's Church. Sun 26. 200RMB; 160RMB (members of The Hutong)

The years between 1912 and 1919 marked an era of profound change in Beijing and for China. This two-hour walk will take you past the homes of Lao She, Chen Duxiu and Mao Zedong, then into the halls of the original campus of Peking University – the birthplace of the May Fourth movement.

FOOD AND DRINK

8x8 Afterflow

Jing A Brewpub Xingfucun. Sat 25. 100RMB

If you weren't able to make it to the 8x8 festival earlier this month, or you did go and you loved the beers so much that you're ready for another round, then make sure you don't miss 8x8 Afterflow. On Saturday, Jing A Brewpub Xingfucun will pour all eight of the collaborations brewed for the 2017 edition of the 8x8 Brewing Project. You'll get an 8x8 taster glass and a pour of each of the eight beers for just 100RMB.

It's always spring in Tel Aviv

Hatchery. Sat 25. Free

This Saturday, get out of the cold and head to Hatchery for a Middle Eastern-inspired feast where they'll be serving up kebabs, chicken shawarma, cauliflower wraps, pomegranate margaritas and more. Complementary dips with the purchase of a 'bigger plate' will also run all night.

Christmas Hygge

Moka Bros Sanlitun. Sat 25. Free

’Tis the month before Christmas! Head to Moka Bros Sanlitun this Saturday for roast pork sandwiches, Danish æbleskiver (light and fluffy balls of donut batter, dipped in sugar and jam), a very special mulled wine (red wine, rum, cognac, port, and rum-soaked raisins) and their Safe Harbour Christmas Ale.

NIGHTLIFE

TAUM Festival

Various locations. Fri 24-Sun 26. Tickets tbc

TAUM (Techno Advance United Massive) is a three-day, multi-venue festival featuring some of the biggest names from China's leading techno labels including Beijing's Prajnasonic, Shanghai's 4x4x4x4 and Room303, Konekt Asia and Chengdu's Atmen. Takes place at Lantern (Friday), Dada (Saturday) and Floso Store (Sunday).

Kenichiro Nishihara + Mabanua + Tamala

Yugong Yishan. Sat 26. 250RMB; 200RMB (presale)

Yugong Yishan hosts a night of electronic music with the jazzy sounds of composer Kenichiro Nishihara joined by Jabberloop founder Daisuke playing live sax. Support comes from singer and beat-maker Manuma playing a minimal set and fellow Japanese artist Tamala.

MUSIC

Bolt69

School Live Bar. Fri 24. 60RMB

Hailing from Tver, Russia, vegetarian, anti-fascist hardcore punks (who doesn't like a band that stands for something?) Bolt69 converge on School Bar for a riotous, anarchic performance. Support by Struggle Session and Discord.

John 5 and the Creatures

Tango. Sun 26. 688RMB; 568RMB (presale)

John 5's impressive resume includes shredding with Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, Dave Lee Roth and currently, as right-hand guitarist to Rob Zombie. Heading to China for his Season of the Witch tour, expect a guitar-led shred fest at Tango.

Vava

Tango. Sun 26. 320RMB; 260RMB (presale)

After scoring a fourth-placed finish on The Rap of China, Sichuan native Vava has arguably seized the throne as the country’s queen of hip-hop, and is stopping off at Tango as part of a nationwide tour. Her mix of putonghua and Sichuan dialect is fiiiiire.

STAGE

Garden in the Rain: Yuan Sheng

Beijing Concert Hall. Fri 24. 80-380RMB

Internationally acclaimed pianist Yuan Sheng has performed in more than twenty countries as a recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist. Headlining at Beijing Concert Hall, Sheng will perform an all-Debussy programme, including Preludes, Book II, Children's Corner and more.

Valery Gergiev and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra

NCPA. Fri 24-Sat 25. 200-1,200RMB

The charismatic Gergiev leads the Munich Orchestra in a programme of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 and Rachmaniov's Piano Concerto No. 4, with must-hear pianist Denis Matsuev (Friday 24); as well as Beethoven's 'Lenore Overture No. 3,' von Weber's 'Overture to Oberon,' Wagner 'Overture to Tannhauser '(Paris version but without Bacchanal), and Bruckner's Symphony No. 3.  

Compagnia Aterballetto

NCPA. Sat 25-Sun 26. 200-500RMB

The Italian modern dance company brings a triple bill that includes Antitesi (antithesis), which explores choreographer Andonis Foniadakis’ fascination with all things opposite, Phillippe Kratz’s liquid L’Eco dell’Acqua, inspired by Goethe’s poem ‘Song of the Spirits Over Water’ and finally, Johan Inger’s quirky Rain Dogs, set to the melancholic strains of Tom Waits.

ART

Lumen Matrix

Today Art Museum. Nov 25-Jan 7. 80RMB

Titled Lumen Matrix, this digital art exhibition is part of the sixth annual Lumen Prize global tour, following shows in the UK and preceding an exhibition in St. Petersburg, Russia. The exhibition will showcase more than 20 artworks including still image, installations and VR works alongside award-winning artworks from the 2017 Lumen Prize – including this year’s Gold Award winner Plastic Reflectic.

Elimination of Violence Against Women Art Exhibition

The Crossroads Centre. Nov 26-Dec 10. Free

The third year of this annual celebration of the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women takes place at The Crossroads Centre. This year's exhibition focuses on comics and illustrations from around the world.

FILM

Casablanca

Pop-Up Beijing. Sun 26. Free

To coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the film premiere of Casablanca on 26 November 1942, Pop-Up Beijing screens this all-time classic for its weekly Sunday Salon. Set in Casablanca during December 1941, a cynical American expatriate encounters a former lover, with unforeseen complications.

Coco

Cinemas around Beijing until Dec 8

Pixar follows the marvelously mind-bending Inside Out with a Mexico-set adventure that bubbles with wit and daring. Effortlessly gliding between kid-friendly spectacle and heart-tugging emotion by way of surrealist touches and a hilariously specific recurring joke about Frida Kahlo’s unibrow, Coco is a goofy joy from start to finish.

Justice League

In cinemas around Beijing until Dec 22

Carrying on after the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Bruce Wayne, inspired by Superman's selfless act of sacrifice, begins to assemble a team of metahumans in order to protect the world from Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons. Cue character intros and a whole lot of butt-kicking.

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