15 great events to book on Time Out Tickets right now

The best concerts, things to do, comedy shows and more on Time Out Tickets

With amazing stage shows, bands, art shows and so much more happening in Beijing for you to enjoy, we're making it a bit simpler for you by rounding up the best tickets you can get right here, right now. 

Just extract the QR code below each event to be taken to the English ticket page – then just make the tough decision of which (or how many) to spend your hard-earned kuai on. 

2019 Beijing Invitational Craft Beer Festival

TRB Copper. Fri 29-Sun 31 Mar. 228-1,028RMB.

After the success of its previous instalments, Great Leap Brewing's Beijing Invitational Craft Beer Festival returns for a fifth year. Over 40 craft breweries from around the world have been invited to participate, bringing with them only the choicest of brews for your sampling pleasure. Ladies and gentlemen, let there be beer.

Dragon Burn 2019

Anji. Wed 1-Sun 5 May. 350RMB.

You've probably heard of Burning Man. Dragon Burn is China's regional Burn event; a collaborative five days of art, performance, music, workshops, community and more. This sixth edition of Dragon Burn will see participants return to the bamboo-forested mountains of Anji in Zhejiang province, for a 100 percent non-profit event that allows no money on site. 

Great Wall Festival 2019

Mutianyu Great Wall. Sat 18-Sun 19 May. From 680RMB.

One of Beijing's best outdoor festivals returns with a killer line-up, including Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann and Dave Clarke. There's a 5k fun-run before the festival starts, while the actual party kicks off in the afternoon, with three stages packed with local talent including Eric Lee, Ou Yang, Huang Weiwei and Shen Yue. Festivities will continue well into the evening so go prepared for the long haul. VIP passes include two-day entrance to the festival, a pass for the 5K fun run, tickets to the Saturday afterparty and a visit to the Great Wall.

Run To The Beat

Ming Tombs Reservoir. Sun 19 May. 178-248RMB.

Join the Run To The Beat half-marathon, 10K or 5K. Run along the beautiful Ming Tomb Reservoir Scenic Loop while enjoying live music on the course. A unique running experience you do not want to miss this May, with live bands and DJs playing along the course to cheer for the runners. The music party continues at the centre stage after runners cross the finish line. Registration closes May 15.

Honne

Tango. Mon 18 Mar. 360RMB; 320RMB (presale). 

This English electronic duo, consisting of James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck, create music that's been described as 'futuristic soul destined to reinvent babymaking music'. They're also named after a Japanese word for inner desires, which seems a good fit for their lusty, yet tasteful, shag anthems.

The Soft Moon

Omni Space. Sun 31 Mar. 240RMB; 180RMB (presale). 

With four albums under his belt, American singer-songwriter Luis Vasquez has already made a name for himself in the dark side of contemporary music, where he resides with his heavy rhythms, travels to the most anguished side of the '80s and writes mutant songs that go from EDM to krautrock to synthesised punk. Hear for yourself as he heads to Beijing off the back of his 2018 release Criminal.

Emily Burns

Dusk Dawn Club. Thu 4 Apr. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale). 

With hit songs 'Friends Don't Kiss Friends' and 'Girlfriend at the Time', Emily Burns has garnered millions of streams and support around the world. Following the release of her LP Seven Scenes from the Same Summer last year, Burns is set to release singles throughout this year – hopefully showcasing a few of those as she plays in Beijing. The young star draws influence from the likes of Tove Lo and sings of everything from love to spite, with heartfelt activism and earnest cynicism throughout all her work.

Still Corners

Omni Space. Fri 5 Apr. 160RMB; 130RMB (presale). 

Soundtrack-inspired themes from the likes of Vangelis, David Lynch, Ennio Morricone and French new wave cinema combine with '80s synth pop and hushed '60s-style pop vocals to create Still Corner's alluring sound. The group released their fourth studio album Slow Air in 2018, but expect a selection of songs from throughout their career as they tour China this April.

MØ

Tango. Tue 9 Apr. 480RMB; 380RMB (limited presale). 

Copenhagen’s breakout musical prodigy Karen Marie Ørsted, who goes by the (copy-and-paste necessary) name of MØ, returns to Beijing this April with her latest release Forever Neverland. She brings her seductive sound – a string of shimmering synths and erratic beats that might just rival those of Grimes – to the stage once more, because, let's be honest, no one can get enough of her. 

Isaac Gracie

Tango. Thu 25 Apr. 380RMB; 280RMB (presale). 

Isaac Gracie grew up singing in a choir in London, before turning his hand to songwriting at the ripe old age of 14. Now a rather major star in the world of soaring, emotional singers, he released his eponymous debut album last year to much acclaim. With a sound reminiscent of Coldplay, Elliot Smith and Jeff Buckley, the youngster sure makes use of his writing ability and melodious voice.

National Geographic: A New Age of Exploration 2.0

Beijing World Art Museum. Sat 23 Mar-Sun 23 Jun. 80-210RMB. 

Covering 130 years of the landmark magazine's stunning history, this exhibition brings to life photos taken from all corners of the earth and elaborates on the often haunting stories behind them. After doing so well the last time this exhibition was in town, it returns again with over 100 classic Nat Geo images.

Marina Abramović

Light Society. Fri 15 Mar-Sat 15 Jun. 50RMB. 

Marina Abramović, a Serbian performance artist who works with video, photographs, sculpture and more, has been exploring feminist and body art for over 40 years. Her pieces challenge the relationship between artist and viewer, calling for her audiences to reinterpret the possibilities and limitations of the body and mind. This exhibition will showcase new and key works – some of which have never before been shown in China.

School of Rock 

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Fri 22 Mar-Sun 14 Apr. 180-1,180RMB. 

If you loved Jack Black's hilarious performance in the hit film School of Rock, this might just be the perfect musical for you. And even if you haven't seen the film – or didn't love it, that's okay too – this still might be the musical for you. With a new score from Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, a book by Julian Fellowes and an incredible cast, School of Rock hits all the right notes. The story follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a bit of extra cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.

The Wizard of Oz

Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre. Thu 6-Sun 23 Jun. 100-980RMB. 

Celebrating the beloved 1930's film that saw a generation of young girls want sparkly red shoes (... just us?), The Wizard of Oz musical heads to the Beijing stage with a cacophony of timeless songs, bright sets and much heel-clicking. Take a trip back down the yellow brick lane with Dorothy and all her friends in need.

Cats

Century Theatre. Wed 3-Sat 6 Jul. 180-1,180RMB. 

One of the longest-running shows on both Broadway and the West End returns to Beijing this summer after its highly successful run last year. Since its premiere in 1983, Cats has received seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has been performed in over 30 countries. Based on TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles. Set against the backdrop of a junkyard, the musical is centred around the 'Jellicle choice', a night which decides which cat will come back in the next life. Its over-the-top set, hit songs and eye-catching choreography make Cats a musical not to be missed.

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

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