The best things to do in Beijing this week

Your weekly guide to the best of Beijing

With Thanksgiving over, it's officially time to bring on the Christmas cheer. Read on for fantastic things to do in Beijing this week, including great nightlife, stage, art, Christmas markets and SantaCon.

As well as these highlights, there are plenty more things to do in Beijing this week: head online for more inspiration, get out and explore, and don't forget to hashtag your Insta snaps with #timeoutbeijing.

An Audience with Joan Laporta

Boxing Cat Brewery. Tue 27. 100RMB (BritCham member); 150RMB (non-member).

Head to Boxing Cat this week as BritCham hosts a special talk and evening with Joan Laporta, the former president of FC Barcelona. He'll be discussing his time at the top in the late noughties during one of the most successful periods in the club's history – arguably the most successful in any club's history.

Book of Poetry Launch: Stephanie Anderson

The Bookworm. Wed 28. 60RMB. 

Stephanie Anderson lives in Beijing and is the author of three poetry books, most recently If You Love Error So Love Zero. This book launch sees her in conversation with Simon Shieh, poet and director of InkBeat Arts.

Beijing Postcards Historical Pub Quiz

The Bookworm. Fri 30. Free. 

Join Beijing Postcards for a historical, British edition of their pub quiz. Answer brainteasers such as 'for how long was the last emperor breastfed?' or 'how long did the Imperial examination last?'. Even if you don't know all the answers, head along with a team (of up to six people) to learn more about Beijing.

Rumble in the Jumble: Christmas Edition

Modernista. Sat 1. Free. 

With baking, clothing, jewellery, books and more, Rumble in the Jumble's bazaar is a one-stop shop for all things vintage and craft, and this month it's back with a Christmas x Hawaii theme. We're not quite sure what that entails, but we guess it's time to string up the fairy lights on the palm tree and pair up the ukulele with the jingle bells. Just one of Beijing's best Christmas markets in the coming weeks.

SantaCon 2018

Multiple locations. Sat 1. Free.

There might not seem like any obvious reason to dress up in Santa suits, run around Beijing on a bar crawl, sing songs, have strangers sit on your laps and decide who is naughty or nice, but it’s a lot of fun – and also for a good cause. This year, in its tenth Beijing incarnation, the SantaCon crawl will be raising money for some wonderful charities. For particulars, including the bar crawl route, carols and advice, see the Beijing SantaCon website (bjsantacon.com).

A Decade of Mosto Anniversary Celebration

Mosto. Thu 29-Sat 8. 388RMB. 

In a transient city like Beijing, so often defined by change, it's apt to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Mosto. Beginning on Thursday 29 November, Mosto will embark on a ten-day culinary celebration featuring tributes from Beijing’s best restaurants, turning over their kitchen to skilled hands from Migas, Obentos, TRB and Hatsune.

Each chef will prepare a special three- or four-course tasting menu that encapsulates a defining aspect of the Mosto experience, whether it be South American cuisine, spontaneous parties, or a relaxed atmosphere for any occasion. For 388RMB a person, each guest will receive a three- or four-course tasting menu and free-flow house wine, local beer and bubbles. 388RMB for a TRB meal? Yas please. Seats limited to 40 per day; book by contacting [e-mail] or 5208 6030.

Vini Vici

One Third. Fri 30. 150RMB.

Ranking number 34 on DJ Mag's Top 100, Vini Vici are Israeli DJs blaring out psytrance tunes. Having worked with Steve Aoki as well as Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, the mahoosive tune 'Great Spirit', with lord of the dance Armin Van Buuren, is perhaps the duo's best-known hit.

nd_baumecker

Zhao Dai. Sat 1. Tickets tbc. 

Forward-thinking German techno spinner Andreas Baumecker, who plays under the moniker (and possible email address handle) nd_baumecker, is a regular at Berlin's notorious den of sin Berghain, and is signed to the club's own label, Ostgut Ton. He plays a set at subterannean cave Zhao Dai this Saturday.

Vision and Reflection: Photographs of China in the 19th Century

Tsinghua University Art Museum. Nov 27-Mar 31. Free. 

American antique collector Stephan Loewentheil owns the largest private collection of Chinese historical photographs outside of China, but this exhibition sees some of the finest return to China, to be exhibited for the first time in Beijing. 120 rare early photographs of the nation will be on show, featuring masterpieces captured in the nineteenth century by both Chinese and international photographers, among them acknowledged masters of the period, as well as unexpected gems by anonymous photographers and lesser-known figures.

East, South, West, North

Magician Space. Until Mar 9 2019. Free. 

This second solo exhibition of Timur Si-Qin's at Magician Space explores secular spirituality in the twenty-first century. Si-Qin identifies the maladaptive legacy of agricultural traditions and religion in our modern world, arguing that society needs to address the materialistic norms inherent in our contemporary lives with a re-enchantment with matter. East, South, West, North represents both a return to and enhancement of our spirituality.

Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

NCPA. Tue 27-Wed 28. 300-680RMB. 

British-Italian conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano has been Music Director of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia since 2005, and previously conducted many of the world’s major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra and Berliner Philharmoniker. He's joined in Beijing by pianists Daniil Trifonov (pictured) and Chen Sa.

Don Giovanni

NCPA. Tue 27-Sat 1. 100-880RMB. 

The NCPA hosts one of Mozart's most famous operas, Don Giovanni, the story of a young, witty nobleman. With fantastically dramatic music, Mozart creates a lively atmosphere, bringing different classes, identities and personalities to life.

Crazy Rich Asians

Trailer via QQ

In cinemas around Beijing from Fri 30. 

Bursting with attitude and heart, Hollywood's first production to feature an all-Asian cast and director in 25 years makes up for lost time in a big way. See the hit rom-com this week as it finally touches down on the Mainland. 

For even more wonderful things to do this week in Beijing, hit 'Read more'. 

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