The best events to book now on Time Out Tickets

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Sport

UFC Fight Night 2018

Cadillac Arena. Nov 24. 280-16,880RMB

Finally, a chance for fans of almost lawless fisticuffs to watch competitors plant crisp knuckle sandwiches (and crispy toes; pictured, above) in each others gobs – and it's live! The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) makes its Beijing debut this autumn, and while the bouts and fighters themselves have yet to be announced, you can buy your tickets now. 

NHL China Games 2018

Cadillac Arena. Sep 19. 180-2,180RMB

With the Beijing Winter Olympics just on the horizon, watch the Boston Bruins take on the Calgary Flames in a pre-season friendly as the NHL China Games return for 2018.

Film

Skyscraper

In cinemas around Beijing until Aug 24

All Dwayne Johnson wants to do is live in his Hong Kong mega-tower in peace – so why won't these terrorists let him do it? Sounds like an updated Die Hard, but only time will tell if Skyscraper can match what is (in our opinion) the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

In cinemas around Beijing until Sep 7

This sequel to 2008's Mamma Mia! is a nostalgia trip to the '70s, filled with ABBA hits, cheesy dance numbers and simple, happy thoughts. Critics recommend you keep your brain off and enjoy an otherwise pleasing spectacle.

The Meg

In cinemas around Beijing from Aug 10

We know what you're thinking – not another shark movie. Expert sea diver Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) is on a path of redemption after he has a second chance at taking down the 70-foot long shark that cost him his crew, career and marriage.

Music

Marian Hill

Tango. Aug 9. 330RMB; 280RMB (presale)

This Philadelphian duo make their China debut this Thursday. Jeremy Lloyd and Samantha Gongol incorporate jazz, blues and delicate vocals to create a sound that has spawned chart-topping hits 'Lips' and 'Got It', not to mention their world-wide hit 'Down' which featured on the iPhone 7 and Apple AirPods adverts. 

Mike Shinoda

BJ-Expo Theatre. Aug 12. 480-1,280RMB

The co-founder and vocalist from the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning rock band Linkin Park comes to Beijing this August for his first solo concert in China. Performing songs from his brand-new debut album Post Traumatic, Mike Shinoda is set to provide insight into the difficulties he experienced after the death of his friend and Linkin Park co-vocalist Chester Bennington.

Wolf Alice

Tango. Aug 15. 400RMB; 350RMB (presale)

An evocative North London alt-rock outfit led by vocalist Ellie Rowsell, Wolf Alice deftly mixes folk, grunge, and electronic elements with vintage '90s indie rock. Their 2015 debut album My Love is Cool would go on to be nominated for a whole raft of awards, including the Mercury Prize, as well as a Brit, Ivor Novello and Grammy Award. They're set to arrive in Beijing this August performing music off 2017's Visions of a Life.

Bastille

Tango. Aug 26. 580RMB; 480RMB (presale)

Best known for monster hit 'Pompeii', British indie pop band Bastille are storming Beijing this August, performing music off their sophomore release Wild World.

The Fratellis

Tango. Oct 21. 580RMB; 480RMB (presale)

Scottish glam-fuelled rugged rock trio The Fratellis – best-known for inescapable mid-'00s hits such as 'Chelsea Dagger' and 'Whistle for the Choir' – head to Beijing this October following the release of their fifth studio album In Your Own Sweet Time.

Sam Smith

Cadillac Arena. Oct 25. 480-1,880RMB

Having started out guesting on dance-pop records, Sam Smith turned his hand to heartstring-tugging balladry when he launched his solo career proper, and it's fair to say it's worked out pretty well for him with a string of chart-topping tracks to his name at the age of just 26. Now the star is bringing his Wagas-famous hits to the capital for the first time.

Rhye

Omni Space. Nov 14. 450RMB; 350RMB (presale)

Formerly consisting of Danish instrumentalist Robin Hannibal and Mike Milosh, Rhye first surfaced in 2013 with their booming piano, analogue synths, natural percussion and heavenly vocals. Now the solo R&B project of Milosh, Rhye has quickly and quietly become a phenomenon, garnering acclaim from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and Spin.

Stage

Cirque du Soleil: Toruk – The First Flight

Cadillac Arena. Until Aug 12. 280-780RMB

Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron's imaginary world in one thrilling production.

Kinky Boots

Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. 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.

Mariinsky Ballet: Swan Lake

NCPA. Sep 20-22. 160-880RMB

Iconic ballet Swan Lake forms the basis of the classical ballet repertoire of the Mariinsky Theater. More than a hundred years ago, it was choreographed by Marius Petipa and is now considered to be a hallmark of the Mariinsky Ballet.

Mariinsky Ballet: La Bayadère

NCPA. Sep 23. 160-880RMB

The much-acclaimed Mariinsky Ballet come to Beijing again this September with its famous La Bayadère. Created by Marius Petipa in 1877, La Bayadère is one of the world's most loved ballets.

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.

Stomp

Poly Theatre. Sep 26-Oct 6. 180-780RMB

Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and more fill the stage with energising beats at Stomp, the inventive and invigorating stage show that's dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying outing.

Rent

Beijing Century Theatre. Oct 11-17. 80-880RMB

In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway... and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson's Rent continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, Rent follows a year in the lives of seven impoverished artists struggling to survive in the thriving days of New York City's Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

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