The best things to do in Beijing this weekend

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing

This weekend brings us Qixi, a day to show your love, to spend yet more money showing that love and to celebrate that love at nightclubs around Beijing, if that's your thing. There's also incredible jazz musicians heading our way, as well as markets, films, and stage and art events galore.

As well as these highlights, there are many more things to do in Beijing this weekend: explore, enjoy and don't forget to Instagram us your snaps with #timeoutbeijing or let us know on Facebook what you really enjoyed.

THINGS TO DO

Celebrate your love

This Friday, celebrate love, once more. Check out our Qixi feature online to get the history of the day, some Beijing dating tips and all the events you need to choose from to show that special person how much they mean to you. 

BBQ Workout Party

Crossfit Pard. Sat 18. 100RMB

This Saturday, get your sweat on and then replenish your body. Join Crossfit Pard and F45 Chaowai for workouts followed by a rewarding barbecue. After an intense group workout session and team race, a barbecue party will kick off at 5pm with Jing A providing a selection of beers.

Rumble in the Jumble

Modernista. Sat 18. Free

Two years ago, Rumble in the Jumble was born 'out of a love for British jumble sales and American thrift stalls'. Since then, the monthly market has taken on its own magnificent form featuring a mix of haberdashery and homemade goodies. From baking, clothing, jewellery, books and more, the bazaar is a one-stop shop for all things vintage and craft. This weekend, they're also celebrating their two-year birthday. So head on down for a bargain. 

Farm to Neighbors Zero Waste Festival

The Grand Summit. Sat 18. Free

Farm to Neighbours (F2N) is celebrating their first Zero Waste Festival this Saturday 18 August. The mission of Zero Waste Festival is to encourage people to protect our environment by using fewer plastics, especially one-time-use plastic items. With more than 50 popular brands in Beijing supporting the cause, you have the chance to win great raffle prizes in the Zero Waster game. Prizes include vouchers for Arrow Factory, Gung Ho! Pizza, Moka Bros and many, many more. Also on offer: a 1L growler of beer from Jing A, movie tickets from Chao, a one-week gym card, teeth-whitening vouchers and probably anything else you could think of for a happy and healthy life.

Ron Josol

The Bookworm. Sun 19. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale); 100RMB (students)

Filipino-Canadian Josol is known for his large personality and witty observations of the world. Ready for an acerbic insight into life today? Head to The Bookworm to catch Josol do what he does best: being 'the most recognisable' Asian comedian in Canada. 

Loreli Affordable Art Market

Yue Space. Sun 19. Free

Loreli hosts its regular art market this Sunday, a space where you can find art for your new dorm or apartment at prices that you can afford. The market is free and has music from DJ Cousin Kippie to keep you entertained as you browse.

MUSIC

Black Art Jazz Collective

Blue Note. Sat 18. 400RMB

The Black Art Jazz Collective has a simple vision: bring together musicians to collaborate and advocate black culture and politics. Using their jazz talents, the accomplished ensemble promotes the recognition of modern black racial and political identity through their collective sound. With Wayne Escoffery on sax, Johnathan Blake on drums, James Burton III on trombone, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Vicente Archer on bass and Danny Grissett on piano. Check them out at Blue Note this Saturday.

Vancouver Sleep Clinic

Dusk Dawn Club. Sun 19. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale)

The brainchild of Australian singer-songwriter Tim Bettinson, Vancouver Sleep Clinic's music is best described as Bon Iver meets Sigur Rós, with a sound that's lead to a highly acclaimed debut on Sony Records and collaborations with the likes of Drew Love and Gnash. After getting embroiled in a bit of a battle with his label last year, Bettinson arrives in Beijing on the back of comeback EPs Therapy Phase 01 and Therapy Phase 02.

NIGHTLIFE

Dada's Sixth Anniversary 

Dada. Fri 17. Free

Six years on for Dada Beijing. How many great nights out have you had there? Celebrate the birthday of one of Beijing's finest party houses with DJs Heatwave, Watermelon and Puzzystack. 

Psyfidelity Beijing

Dada. Sat 18. 70RMB

Psyfidelity, China’s leading psytrance party, heads to Dada. Dancers, trancers, holy rollers, urban visionaries and digital shamans are set to gather together on the dancefloor in a whirlwind of multiple mind-expanding moments. Music will be provided by Sixears, Anan, and ProLens, while Infinite Bizarre will also be on hand to provide a mesmerising environment for the eyes.

STAGE

The Imperial Ice Stars: Swan Lake

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Wed 15-Sun 19. 99-780RMB

Set to Tchaikovsky, with new choreography from director Tony Mercer, this innovative portrayal of the classic love story, on ice, is a perfect antidote to Beijing's hot summer. Their previous four world tours (Sleeping Beauty on Ice, Swan Lake on Ice, Cinderella on Ice and Nutcracker on Ice) have earned The Imperial Ice Stars an unrivaled reputation for pushing the boundaries of ice dance.

NT Live: Hamlet

UCCA. Sat 18. 120RMB; 80RMB (UCCA members)

Miss previous showings of the National Theatre's Hamlet? Make sure to head out this Saturday for the last screening of this season. 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. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch.

ART

Huang Xiaoliang: Out of Searching

See+ Gallery. Until Oct 14

Huang Xiaoliang, an emerging artist from Hunan currently based in Beijing, creates works that play with memories, hopes and childhood. He questions our everyday lives, seeking to explore what is reality and what is fiction. As our daily lives suffer an onslaught of fragmented, constant information, Huang tries to prise out the memories, the childhood surprises, from the details we encounter each day.

FILM

Enter the Void

Camera Stylo. Sat 18

Thumping neon lights set the mood for Gaspar Noé's controversial, acclaimed and completely original film Enter the Void. Telling the story of Oscar, a drug dealer shot by police in Tokyo, the film takes viewers along a journey from life to death, highlighting all the moments in between. Created to emulate the effects of a street drug and out-of-body experiences, Enter the Void brings us bright lights, unique storytelling and an insight into the darker elements of Japan's neon club scene.

Hotel Transylvania

On general release Fri 17

Opening in Beijing on Friday, this hotel chain movie is keeping the theme going, with Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) and his family off on holiday on a cruise ship (a 'hotel on water'). When he's not moonbathing or grousing about how he’d rather be at home, Drac is falling in love with the ship's captain (Kathryn Hahn). 

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

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