The top 10 things to do in Beijing this week

Your guide to the week's best events

Shake off your Monday blues with our pick of the best things to do in Beijing this week. From brilliant stage productions, killer live music not to mention the World Cup Final, there's plenty to look forward to this week.

FIFA World Cup semis and final

Various locations

Don't miss France take on Belgium this Wednesday (2am) or Croatia versus England on Thursday (2am), before catching the World Cup Final this Sunday (11pm). To make sure you don't miss a minute, make sure you check out our handy World Cup guide.

NT Live: Hamlet

UCCA. Sat 14. 120RMB; 80RMB (UCCA member)

As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the kingdom. A live screening of the National Theatre's 2015 performance of Hamlet, this production stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Ciarán Hinds.

Lonely Leary

Dusk Dawn Club. Sat 14. 90RMB; 70RMB (presale)

Maybe Mars post-punk trio Lonely Leary have finally released their long-awaited debut album Through the Park, Almost There. Catch them at Dusk Dawn Club this Saturday performing all their tried-and-tested hits.

NT Live: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

UCCA. Sat 14. 120RMB; 80RMB (UCCA member)

Miss catching The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in Beijing last May? Catch a screening of the National Theatre in London's live performance this Saturday and find out why it's nabbed seven Olivier and five Tony Awards.

Radwimps

Cadillac Arena. Sat 14. 599-1,399RMB

Since releasing their eponymous debut album in 2003, Japanese band Radwimps have morphed from fresh-faced fledgling four-piece (now trio) to top-selling chart fixtures, thanks to their eclectic pop-rock sound and contributions to anime soundtracks, including a critically acclaimed score for 2016 mega-hit Your Name.

Winnie: documentary and screening

The Bookworm. Wed 11. Free

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, known to her followers as the 'Mother of the Nation', was an anti-apartheid politician and activist. A pivotal figure in South Africa's political sphere, explore her life and story at this screening and discussion of Pascale Lamche's documentary Winnie at The Bookworm.

Bang Gang

Tango. Tue 10. 480RMB; 380RMB (presale)

The brainchild of songwriter and producer Barði Jóhannsson, down-tempo Icelandic band Bang Gang arrive in China to perform music off their 2015 album The Wolves are Whispering, a sonically ambitious and deeply personal collection of songs that also marks their first release since embarking on a seven-year hiatus.

Make My Day

Mao Livehouse Wukesong. Sun 15. 180RMB; 120RMB (presale)

Formerly known as Ashley Scared the Sky, Tokyo-based metalcore band Make My Day have embarked on a China tour on the back of their latest EP The Awakening.

Hidden Man (邪不压正)

In cinemas July 13

This crime drama pits spies and swordsmen against each other in 1930s China. A follow-up of sorts to gangster flick Let the Bullets Fly – which Chinese film buffs will remember for breaking box office records back in 2010 – expect sharp wit, political intrigue and plenty of action.

Joan Cornellà

Parkview Green Art 798. Jul 6-28. 65RMB (presale)

'For me personally, it is fiction what allows me to laugh. Reality is quite creepy.' Spanish illustrator, cartoonist and artist Joan Cornellà is best known for his dark and surreal comedic comic strips that make clever, if a little absurd (and sometimes even offensive) social commentaries, and has amassed a huge social media following of nearly seven million. After a string of Asia exhibitions in recent years, this is his first Beijing solo show.

For more cracking things to do this week, hit 'Read more'. 

More from Time Out Beijing