16 amazing things to do this weekend

Featuring Hollywood blockbusters, DJ Snake and more Christmas goodness

We're now well into December, and it looks like everyone's basically on the same page in regards to Christmas. Featuring more cheery holiday markets than you can wave a candy cane at, it's time to get your Christmas shopping underway.

THINGS TO DO

BSB Christmas Fayre and German Market

British School of Beijing, Shunyi. Sat 9. Free

Another weekend, another excellent traditional German market. This edition, hosted by the British School of Beijing, features plenty of hot food such as bratwurst, pretzels, waffles, hot chocolate, gluhwein and more. And for the kiddies, rumour has it Santa will also be making an appearance!

Beijing Flea Market: Christmas edition

Pop-Up Beijing. Sat 9. Free

This month, Beijing Flea Market is getting a festive holiday spin, complete with mulled wine, dozens of curated vendors, food, gifts and fun galore! With Pop-Up Beijing closing its doors for good on December 10, this may be your last chance (for the foreseeable future) to browse through this brilliant market.

The Hutong Winter Fayre 2017

The Hutong. Sun 10. Free

This Sunday, The Hutong returns with its annual Christmas bazaar featuring a whole raft of food and beverage vendors (Jing A Brewing, Andy's Craft Sausages, Beijing Postcards, Miss Muesli, Halo Hummus) and plenty of mulled wine.

FOOD AND DRINK

Slow Boat Family Day

Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub. Sat 9. 150RMB per parent

In celebration of Christmas, Slow Boat is inviting families with children of all ages to celebrate the holiday season at Slow Boat Brewpub with cookie decorating, holiday crafts, brunch, and the annual release of their Safe Harbor Christmas Ale (for the grown-ups). 150RMB per parent includes any brunch item plus a pint of Christmas Ale or coffee, children’s brunch, and access to the craft and cookies stations for the little ones.

Cookie Baking Party

Café Zarah. Sun 10. 188RMB (includes cookie baking, buffet dinner and drink); 88RMB for kids 6-11 years

Café Zarah in collaboration with Beijing-based NGO Migrant Children's Foundation (MCF) is hosting a cookie-baking party where you can bake cookies, eat, drink, dance and send a self-made Christmas gift to children in need. While your cookies are baking, enjoy a Christmas buffet dinner and music from live DJs.

NIGHTLIFE

Disco Extravaganza: The Christmas Drag Ball

The Bar at Migas. Fri 8. Free

Festive cross-dressing fun at the ever-excellent Sanlitun club, with a Christmassed-up version of their Disco Extravaganza night. DJs: Boflex and Gary Boozy.

Tijana T

Lantern. Sat 9. 80RMB

This year, Toxic celebrates its fourth anniversary by inviting Belgrade's foremost techno DJ Tijana T to Beijing. Having already performed at Dekmantel, Exit Festival, Croatia Ultra Music Festival, Boiler Room, Berghain and more, she brings her slick mixing skills to Lantern on Saturday night.

DJ Snake

Sir Teen. Sat 9. 280-380RMB

A club gig from French traphouse-pop crossover type DJ Snake, whose ubiquitous song ‘Turn Down for What’, with Lil John, has clocked up nearly 720 million views on YouTube. Which may be because the video features an old woman’s breasts coming alive and dancing of their own will, as well as the song being massively catchy.

MUSIC

Incognito

Blue Note. Fri 8-Sat 9. 400-650RMB

An acid jazz project with deep roots in the 1970's jazz/funk/soul world, Incognito was originally formed by Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick and Paul 'Tubbs' Williams in 1979. This year, the band celebrates its 38th birthday and release of their 17th(!) studio album.

STAGE

Lebensraum

Inside-Out Theatre. Fri 8-Sun 10. 100-380RMB

Two men live together in a small, single-room apartment. Everything is multi-functional: the bed is a piano, and the bookcase also serves as a fridge. But they long for a woman in the house. To fill this void, they create a mechanical maid who soon develops a mind of her own. Cue chaos.

La La Land in Concert

Great Hall of the People. Fri 8. 180-1,280RMB

Rediscover the magic of La La Land and experience the film like never before with a live symphony orchestra. Led by Brazilian conductor Thiago Kastrup Tiberio, the orchestra will perform composer Justin Hurwitz's Oscar-winning score live alongside a full screening of the critically-acclaimed film – from the toe-tapping opener 'Another Day of Sun' to the delightful 'Planetarium' instrumental and the recurring 'City of Stars'.

Gilles Apap: Four Seasons Violin Recital

Beijing Concert Hall. Fri 8. 30-580RMB

Much-lauded violinist, and personal collaborator of the late Yehudi Menuhin, Apap plays Janacek’s Violin Sonata, Ravel’s Violin Sonata No 2 and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons - Reinvented, his own version of the concerto classic.

ART

Andres Serrano: an American Perspective

Red Brick Contemporary Art Museum. Nov 23-Feb 25. 60RMB; 40RMB (concessions)

An exhibition that deals with love, marriage, relationships, or lack thereof. Serrano uses traditional Chinese wedding dresses to explore these themes in a modern context.

Red Gate on the Move

Red Gate Gallery. Dec 5-31. Free

Red Gate Gallery has been in Beijing for more than 26 years and was one of the very first private commercial art galleries in China. After calling the iconic Dongbianmen Watchtower in Guomao home for the last 20 years, it will move to a prime new location in 798 this month. Its final show at the old spot features some of the most important artists that the gallery has worked with over the last two decades.

FILM

Paddington 2

On general release until Dec 29

A follow-up to the 2014 film, Paddington 2 follows our beloved marmalade-munching bear as he sets out to prove his innocence after being accused of stealing a valuable childrens' pop-up book. Filled with plenty of hilarious gags, this brightly coloured romp through London is tremendously sweet-natured and charming – and arguably even better than the original.

Loving Vincent

On general release until Dec 17

Part mystery, part visual experiment, Loving Vincent is a reverent ode to iconic 19th century painter Vincent van Gogh. The world’s first fully painted film, this beautifully animated affair was inspired by his greatest works of art, from Starry Night to Sunflowers.

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

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