12 fantastic things to do in Beijing this week

Your weekly guide to the best of Beijing

It's December already, Beijing, so pretty much everything is turning festive now that the holiday season is upon us. Here are just some of the best events in the coming week – suitable for both the holiday-obsessed and all you scrooges too.

As well as these highlights, there are many more things to do in Beijing this week: explore, enjoy and don't forget to Instagram us your snaps with #timeoutbeijing.

A History of Beijing in 10 Maps

Residence of the Ambassador of the Netherlands. Thu 6. 60RMB. 

Lars Ulrik Thom (co-founder of Beijing Postcards) will explore the radical changes that have altered the Beijing cityscape over the past 100 years by looking at ten different historic and recent maps from the Beijing Postcards collection. In collaboration with the Beijing International Society (BIS), the event will also include a winter reception afterwards. To attend the event, email [e-mail] before midday on Thursday 6 December. BIS events are open to foreign passport holders only; remember to bring your passport. Priority will be given to BIS members; remaining spaces will then be opened to non-members.

Christmas in Beijing

Searching for present ideas or just an excuse to drink lots of mulled wine with friends in the name of festivity? Christmas highlights this week include The Hutong Winter Fayre (Sat 8), The Bookworm's Jolly Christmas Fair (Sun 9) and the Polish Christmas Bazaar (Sat 8). For more, check out our round-up of all the markets around town this month. 

A Decade of Mosto Anniversary Celebration

Mosto. Until Sat 8. 388RMB. 

In a transient city like Beijing, so often defined by change, Mosto has definitely done something right to be celebrating its tenth anniversary. This week, they will be turning over their kitchen to the skilled hands from Obentos (Dec 3-4), TRB (Dec 5-6) and Hatsune (Dec 7-8), with each chef preparing a special three- or four-course tasting menu that encapsulates a defining aspect of the Mosto experience. A TRB meal for 388RMB? Yas please. Each guest will also get free-flow house wine, local beer and bubbles included.

Vegan Xmas Dinner

Gung Ho! Pizza Sanlitun. Wed 5. 135RMB. 

Want to celebrate Christmas but really not down for all the animal products? Well, Vegans of Beijing and Gung Ho! have you covered, for an early celebration. With a new chestnut beetroot pizza, smoked tofu and pesto pizza, roasted seasonal veg, pesto-stuffed mushrooms, rice and raspberry pudding, plus vegan drinks, there's plenty on offer to leave you stuffed and cheery. Scan the QR code to book, while space lasts.

Hatchery's Boozy Birthday Brunch

Hatchery Arcade. Sat 8. 138RMB. 

Hatchery's celebrates three years in action this Saturday with the return of their Tel Aviv brunch. Featuring Middle Eastern classics such as hummus, falafels, spanakopita, chicken shawarma and more, for an additional 148RMB, diners can enjoy free-flow prosecco and Kirin beer for two hours. Seats are limited; register your spot by scanning the QR code below.

Elias + Einar Stray Orchestra

DDC. Tue 4. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).

Swedish singer-songwriter Elias has garnered attention for his emotive lyrics and melodies, creating a spacious and sensitive brand of pop complemented by his smooth voice. He's backed in Beijing by Einar Stray Orchestra, a Norwegian indie-pop group with a folky feeling, influenced by the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Bright Eyes.

Turbobier

BSP Live House. Tue 4. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).

This Austrian punk rock band is led by Marco Pogo (possibly not his real name), backed by a changing cast of musicians. They've won awards for being 'Hard & Heavy', so if you're into hard punk rock in another language, TurboBier is just for you.

Super Besse

Omni Space. Fri 7. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).

Russian lyrics, influences from Joy Division, post-punk screaming and a band pretty determined to stay low-key: Enter Super Besse. These Belarus boys are bringing their coldwave vibes to the capital off the back of their latest release, Le Nuit, which muses on nighttime adventures. You might have one of your own here.

Blastfemme

DDC. Fri 7. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).

Straight from the dangerous underground scene of Rio de Janeiro, feminist disco punks Blastfemme come to Beijing to bring their explosive energy to the DDC stage. Known for the sensuality, power and strength of their music and message, they add punk to disco with an hearty dose of resistance and fight for women's rights. They're joined by Chinese counterparts Xiaowang, plus Lonely Leary and Thruoutin.

Aquaman

In cinemas around Beijing from Fri 7. 

The latest DC superhero to get a Justice League spinoff is Jason Momoa's Aquaman. With the powers of Atlantis ready to resurface and take over dry land, our half-human, half-Atlantean hero must use his badass trident to quell this submarine revolt from his aquatic motherland. Also starring Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman and Patrick Wilson.

Nicolas Party: Arches

M Woods. Until Feb 24. 80RMB; 50RMB (students).

Nicolas Party often takes a rather contemporary approach to traditional subjects. Using anything from pastel to video, Party imparts a very site-specific and temporal theme to all of his exhibitions, creating murals and sculptures in galleries for particular exhibitions. Now at M Woods, Arches showcases Party's unique colour and style.

Gone with the Wind

Beijing Exhibition Center. Tue 4-Sun 9. 180-1,080RMB. 

The world premiere of the English-language musical version of Gone with the Wind plays in Beijing this week. Set in 1860s Georgia, Gone with the Wind follows the story of the 17-year-old Scarlett O'Hara, the eldest of three daughters living a life of luxury on her father's plantation. But when President Lincoln demands the end of slavery in the South and the Civil War begins, Scarlett's life is changed forever, and the beginning of an incredible journey through both war and peace is mirrored in her turbulent relationship with Rhett Butler.

For more great things to do in Beijing this week, plus all the details for the above events, hit 'Read more'. 

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