13 of the best things to do in Beijing this week

Your weekly guide to the best of Beijing

With great films being screened and released this week, alongside some top-quality musicians and performers, it's definitely a week for the arts. Brave the cold for these top picks – we're confident rugging up will be worth it. 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.

Talk with Meik Wiking 

The Bookworm. Mon 10. 60RMB. 

As the founder and CEO of the world's only Happiness Research Institute, Meik Wiking probably knows quite a bit about what constitutes happiness in the world, with his work having taken him around the globe in order to find out what leads to happiness, well-being and a good quality of life. The New York Times and The Times bestselling author is best known for his two books: The Little Book of Hygge and The Little Book of Lykke – head to The Bookworm tonight to hear more about his work and findings.

Christmas in Beijing

Christmas markets continue in Beijing this week, with highlights including Rumble in the Jumble at The Slab (Wed 12), the Beijing Flea Market's holiday edition (Sat 15) and Buona Bocca's Christmas market. For more information, check out our round-up of all the markets around town this month. 

Haus of Lily Ho Ho Hoes Christmas Special 

Ramo. Fri 14. 80RMB. 

Haus of Lily proudly presents her Ho Ho Hoes for this fabulous Christmas drag special, with ten queens out to get you going as they are tucked, sucked, plucked and oiled up for your viewing pleasure. Entrance includes a shot at the door and a Haus of Lily holiday cookie, while drink specials are running all night, including Slow Boat's Zombie Pirate Pale Ale (30RMB). This is your chance to get wasted with some of the most fabulous gals in town – the queens include Tiger Lily, Krystal de Canteur and Elizabeth Stride, who lit up our pages a few months back.

Diplo

One Third. Tue 11. 150RMB.

Major Lazer's co-creator and lead member Thomas Wesley Pentz is probably better known for his professional moniker, Diplo. The award-winning DJ has collaborated with some of the world's best, including Sia, MIA, Gwen Stefani and Skrillex. Best known hits? You've probably heard of 'Where Are Ü Now', 'Lean On' and 'Light It Up', to name just a few songs in the millions of streams. He's joined for a special night at One Third this December by US DJ Jauz.

Tia Ray

Blue Note. Wed 12. 550RMB.

This Chinese singer first captured hearts on The Voice of China, and has since come into her own in a major way with the release of two studio albums, doing her bit to take C-pop around the world.

Secret Garden

Beijing Exhibition Center. Wed 12. 280-1,280RMB.

Well, we only had to wait 23 years, but the Irish-Norwegian winners of Eurovision 1995 are finally coming to Beijing! 'Yassss,' you scream collectively. But, all joking aside, this esteemed musical duo have had an impressive career, with their most notable hit being the original version of the omnipresent ballad 'You Raise Me Up', since covered by Westlife, Josh Groban, several thousand contestants on the X-Factor and The Voice and, most disgracefully, by you during your most recent drunken KTV sesh.

This Will Destroy You

Omni Space. Fri 14. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale). 

A pretty intimidating invitation for your Friday night, we know, but expect only your emotions to be destroyed by these Texans' moving post-rock soundscapes, rousing swells and ambience. Still not sure just what post-rock is? See what musicians from three Beijing post-rock outfits told us about the genre – some of whom will be supporting This Will Destroy You this week.

Safia

Omni Space. Sun 16. 200RMB; 160RMB (presale).

Australian three-piece electronica and indie-pop band Safia hail from Canberra – an unlikely but burgeoning source of new music Down Under. Beginning life in 2012 and initially consisting of two bedroom producers, Ben Woolner (vocals) and Michael Bell (drums), the duo soon expanded to include the synth and guitar input of Harry Sayers to complete the trio. They jokingly describe their sound as 'Skrillex and James Blake making sweet, tender love'. 

Boy Nomad

The Bookworm. Mon 10. 60RMB.

This Monday night, head to The Bookworm for a special screening of the documentary Boy Nomad. The film tells the story of Janibek, a nine-year-old who lives with his family in Mongolia's Altai Mountains. His first love is racing horses, but this winter, his father will bring him on the toughest journey in a nomad’s life: the winter migration. The Altai is gripped by a zhut, a hard winter that blocks the passes and threatens to wipe out the family's animals, their only possession.

Searching

In cinemas around Beijing from Fri 14. 

This missing-girl mystery plays out almost entirely on screens, using social media apps and chatrooms instead of dive bars and dark alleys. The footprints being followed here are the digital kind, of course, and they’re all the scarier for that. You’ll walk away with a new awareness of just how exposed we all are to malign forces online.

My Neighbor Totoro

In cinemas around Beijing from Fri 14. 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Studio Ghibli’s very wonderful, very kawaii film My Neighbor Totoro comes to Chinese cinemas years after its 1988 release in Japan. Ten-year-old Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their ailing mother and embark on adventures with magical creatures from the nearby woods.

The Grinch

In cinemas around Beijing from Fri 14. 

The Grinch is back, free of the grip of Jim Carrey, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch and, in Grinch terms, a bit less grinchy (ungrinchy?) than you might expect. Unlike the 2000 live-action Carrey movie, this new spin on the Dr Seuss tale is computer-animated by Illumination, the same studio behind Sing, The Secret Life of Pets and the Minions movies.

Todes

Art Centre of the National Library. Sun 16. 180-680RMB.

Todes is a dance collective that fuses ballet, break dancing, hip-hop, jazz and more into a modern take on movement. Having won numerous awards around the world, they return to Beijing this week with another boundary-pushing performance.

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

You might have missed

More from Time Out Beijing

Check out our latest issue