17 fantastic things to do in Beijing this weekend

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing

A packed weekend coming our way, with some terrific international comedians and bands stopping off in the capital, as well as markets, pop-ups, parties and more. It's a particularly strong weekend for music and nightlife, so check back tomorrow for our full round-up of the best gigs and parties.

THINGS TO DO

Dean Edwards

The Bookworm. Sun 16. 150RMB; 100RMB (presale).

Dean Edwards loves his impressions of Lil Wayne and Denzel Washington. Having appeared on SNL and MTV2's Guy Code, not to mention replacing Eddie Murphy as the voice of Donkey in Shrek remakes, we're pretty convinced all of his impressions are rather good. Find out for yourself this Sunday.

The Pigeon Social Club

5L Hotel Rooftop. Sat 15. 68-248RMB. 

Looking for something a bit different to do this weekend with your friends? Spend the day on a rooftop like a pack of pigeons, except – plot twist – you're pigeons who do yoga, eat brunch and love a sunset party. There'll be many more activities to keep you socialising and entertained at this all-day event – scan the QR code for the full details and tickets.

Rumble in the Jumble: Souk Spectacular

Modernista. Sun 16. Free. 

The monthly jumble sale is back, this time under a Middle Eastern moniker. Head down to Modernista on Sunday for a rumble through stalls of baked goods, jewellery, books, crafts and more.

FOOD & DRINK

Gin Jubilee

Equis. Sat 15. 50RMB. 

Calling all gin lovers, this week Asia's premier gin festival, the East Imperial Gin Jubilee, makes its Beijing debut, at Four Seasons bar Equis. Watch ten of the city's best bartenders compete to make the best G&T, host masterclasses as well as serve up a range of cocktails at boozy booths. For tickets, click here.

Jing-Jing End of Summer Party

The Opposite House. Sat 15. Free. 

Celebrate the end of summer, or the beginning of the year's best season, with Jing A and Jing Yaa Tang's final pop-up party for this summer. Head on down to the sunken garden of the Opposite House for a night of happy-hour deals and free snack bites, plus tunes from a live DJ.

Doggy Day

Side Street. Sat 15. Free. 

Just when you thought this weekend couldn't get any better, Side Street goes and hosts a burger fest for dogs. Bring your doggo down for free snacks and canine-compatible burgers while you enjoy beer and cocktail deals. Bork bork.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

Mild High Club

Omni Space. Fri 14. 200RMB; 160RMB (presale). 

Mild High Club, a front for LA-based muso Alexander Brettin, take some of psych's tastiest elements but forego long sonic explorations in favour of tight, well-packaged three- and four-minute songs laced with funk and jazzy turns. 

Rico Nasty

Playhouse. Fri 14. 100RMB; 60RMB (presale).

Gongti's newest den of afterdark delight Playhouse opens hot this weekend with Rico Nasty, a 21-year-old New Yorker who's garnered international acclaim for her gutsy trap-rap and rhymes.

Slowdive

Tango. Fri 14. 350RMB; 300RMB (presale). 

Slowdive frontman Neil Halstead once said that he wanted to create 'something sort of timeless'. He and his Reading-born band have done just that: heralding in the shoegaze of old into modern times over a 30-year career, and becoming one of the genre's most celebrated acts.

Andrew James Gustav

Zhao Dai. Fri 14. 

Defining his music taste as something with a 'sort of twist, something a bit unusual', he's sure to bring that unique character to his own sets. While born from a love of old-school UK garage, his music brings in house, breakbeat and techno from all eras.

Ultra Beijing

Beijing China NHC Base. Sat 15-Sun 16. 780-1,580RMB. 

It's finally, officially here. The two-day EDM behemoth lands this Saturday with a raging party-filled weekend featuring some of the hottest acts from around the world, including Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Zedd and all three mobsters from the Swedish House Mafia.

Marcus L

Lantern. Sat 15. 50RMB. 

This South Korean DJ has been around the world, collecting experiences that seep into his fast-paced beats. See him at Lantern this Saturday night for a frenzied take on techno vibes.

FILM

China Women's Film Festival

Various locations. Fri 14-Sun 23. 

Returning for its sixth year this week, the China Women's Film Festival aims to shine a light on the myriad of struggles, injustices and triumphs women, as well as LGBTQI communities, encounter all over the globe. Over 30 films from 15 different countries are featured in this year's international programme, which will be screened alongside panels, forums and discussions with filmmakers and experts in the industry.

ART

Andreas Mühe: Photography

Red Brick Contemporary Art Museum. Sep 14-Oct 21. 100RMB.

Take a different look at recent European history with Mühe's first Beijing exhibition. Focusing on social dynamics, political identities and historical currents, with a distinct eye for class and authority, Photography brings a new light to twentieth-century Germany. 

STAGE

James Hall & Worship and Praise

Rulun Lecture Hall, Renmin University. Sun 16. 40-280RMB. 

James Hall and his choir, Worship and Praise, are one of the world's top contemporary gospel choirs. Led by Hall, the choir is known for their deep sounds and heavy vibratos. Check them out this Sunday for an evening of choir favourites from Hall, including 'God Is In Control', 'Caught Up' and 'God Wants A Yes'.

Russian State Ballet: Swan Lake

Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre. Sat 15-Sun 16. 180-880RMB. 

After many highly successful tours, the Russian State Ballet returns to Beijing with a series of ballet classics including Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. In this tragic tale of star-crossed lovers, the beautiful Princess Odette has been transformed into a swan after being cursed by the evil sorcerer Rothbart. 

Russian State Ballet: The Nutcracker

Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre. Sun 16. 180-880RMB.

Christmas comes early this year with the Russian State Ballet's second performance in Beijing. Featuring a timeless score from Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is a renowned Russian classic that has captured the imagination of generations. Set on Christmas Eve, young heroine Clara is whisked away to the Land of Sweets after helping an enchanted prince defeat the Mouse King.

For more fantastic things to do in Beijing, hit 'Read more'. 

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