The best events to book on Time Out Tickets right now

The best concerts, films, comedy shows and more on Time Out tickets

SPORT

Run to the Beat 2018

Ming Tombs Reservoir. May 20. 128RMB (5km); 188RMB (10km); 228RMB (half-marathon)

Taking place in May at the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping, Beijing's first music half marathon features live bands and DJs performing alongside the course to entertain runners. The party then continues at the main stage after participants cross the finish line.

The Color Run 2018

Beijing Garden Expo Park. Jun 9. 288RMB; 228RMB (depending on package)

Run, crawl, walk or party your way along the course of this untimed race where you get paint chucked at you at intervals along the route. Billed as 'the happiest 5K on the planet', this year's Color Run features a giant paint-throwing party at the end. There's only two rules: wear white at the beginning and finish looking like a unicorn threw up on you.

NIGHTLIFE

Creamfields Music Festival 2018

Topwin Golf & Country Club. May 12-13. 780RMB (two-day pass)

An electronic music festival that needs little to no introduction, UK festival Creamfields has been running for the last 21 years and has finally set its sights on the Mainland this year. The lineup features a whole host of dance music legends, including the likes of Diplo, Martin Garrix, Above & Beyond, Alan Walker and much, much more.

Great Wall Festival 2018

Badaling Great Wall of China. May 19-20. 680RMB (two-day general admission); 980RMB (two-day VIP pass)

One of Beijing's best outdoor festivals returns with a killer lineup, including Chris Liebing, Carl Craig, Nina Kraviz (pictured), Dixon and Recondite. There's a 5km fun run before the festival starts, while the actual party kicks off at 2pm, with four stages packed with local talent including Ou Yang, Huang Weiwei and Shen Yue. 

MUSIC

Beijing Strawberry Festival 2018

Yuyang International Ski Resort. Apr 29-May 1. 320RMB (single-day pass); 780RMB (three-day pass)

Three days, seven stages, over 100 music acts. Modern Sky's three-day outdoor music festival finally returns to Beijing after its last-minute cancellation last year. The monster lineup features a mix of international and local acts, including the likes of Alt-J, Habibi, Casino Demon, Liars, Re-TROS, Chinese Football and more.

Grammy Festival Beijing

Changyang Music Theme Park. Apr 30. 880RMB; 550RMB (presale); 50RMB (return bus ticket)

In case you somehow missed the news, Beijing's set to host China's first-ever Grammy Festival. Taking place at Changyang Music Theme Park on April 30, this music bonanza features a blockbuster lineup, including Pharrell Williams, Carly Rae Jepsen (pictured), Macy Gray, OneRepublic, James Bay, Daya and Phoenix.

Jake Bugg

Tango. May 4. 280RMB

Nottingham-born troubadour Jake Bugg, who burst to international fame as a teenager with his 2012 eponymous debut album, will be in Beijing plugging latest effort Hearts That Strain this May. An exclusive solo acoustic tour, expect intimate renditions of some of his biggest hits.

Fall Out Boy

Cadillac Arena (formerly Beijing LeSports Center). May 7. 380-1,280RMB

Emo-pop act Fall Out Boy – who first found fame in the early 2000s with 'Sugar, We're Goin Down' – make their Beijing debut at Cadillac Arena this May. The Chicago outfit are here in support of latest album Mania, which sees them combining catchy riffs, lyrical wordplay and pop hooks.

The Cribs

Yugong Yishan. May 13. 220RMB; 190RMB (presale)

Rowdy indie-rock veterans The Cribs crash into Beijing this May with a gig at Yugong Yishan – their first in the city. The NME darlings became known for some pretty riotous live shows and stage antics when they burst onto the scene in the mid-2000s, and have shown no signs of slowing up with their latest album, 24-7 Rock Star S**t.

THINGS TO DO

Neighborhood Earth

Indigo. Apr 28-Jun 17. 45RMB (any day ticket, limited); 88RMB (any day ticket); 68RMB (weekday ticket)

Using images provided from NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory, visitors to Neighborhood Earth can view a 30-minute film that gives visitors an in-depth, 360-degree look at the solar system, as well as interact with hands-on, educational exhibits including a life-size International Space Station.

Alice: Into the Rabbit Hole

Chaoyang Joy City. Until Jul 9. 70RMB

This interactive art exhibition celebrates Lewis Carroll's classic novel Alice in Wonderland with a series of stunning multimedia art and design works. Previously exhibited in Seoul, Korea, Alice: Into the Rabbit Hole quickly became a viral sensation, with 6,000 uploads on social media platform INS per day.

STAGE

The Bolshoi Ballet: Le Corsaire

NCPA. May 18-20. 280-1,280RMB

One of the world's top ballet companies returns to Beijing with Le Corsaire, the swashbuckling drama inspired by a Lord Byron poem that includes captive maidens, rich sultans, an awe-inspiring shipwreck and plenty of romance. Featuring logic-defying leaps and stunning showmanship, this is one of dance's most entertaining ballets.

National Theatre: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. May 24-27. 99-880RMB

Based on the acclaimed novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been hailed by The Times as 'a phenomenal combination of storytelling and spectacle'. Winner of seven Olivier Awards in 2013, including Best New Play, Curious Incident has also won five Tony Awards and is one of the longest-running Broadway productions in over a decade.

Matthew Bourne: Cinderella

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Aug 7-12. 99-880RMB

Matthew Bourne has made ballet into big business by remembering a very simple lesson – that dance, originally, was about entertainment. His production of the iconic fairytale is set in London during World War II with Cinderella's prince reimagined as a young RAF pilot. And like everything else he does, it's a hit.

Kinky Boots

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Aug 24-30. 280-1,080RMB

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots tells the story of a struggling shoe factory in Northampton. When factory owner Charlie Price has a chance encounter with drag queen Lola, he's inspired to create a line of sexy heels for transvestites in order to help save the family business. Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, with music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this Tony Award-winning musical is fabulously sassy, dazzling and uplifting.

Cats

Beijing Century Theatre. Sep 22-27. 180-1,280RMB

Based on TS Eliot's Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical Cats is set in a larger-than-life junkyard playground that's home to a variety of feline characters. With spectacular sets, breathtaking choreography and of course, the hit song 'Memory', Cats is a musical like no other.

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