23 fantastic things to do in Beijing this weekend

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing

It's looking like an absolute corker of a weekend thanks to a jam-packed line-up of food events, parties and just flat-out awesome things to do. Make the most of Beijing's summer scorch and get out there to see what's up.

As well as these highlights, there are many more things to do in Beijing this weekend: explore, enjoy and don't forget to Instagram us your snaps with #timeoutbeijing or let us know on Facebook what you really enjoyed.

Hutong Races: Jade River

Photo: Hutong Races

4corners. Sun 7. 2-5.30pm. 50RMB  

Change how you discover Beijing with the Hutong Races. This month's theme is The Jade River, with the source of the grand canal being prime real estate for exploration. Imagine the TV show The Amazing Race. Now imagine taking on the same challenges in different parts of Beijing.

The Beatles: Beat On

Picture: 247 tickets

Chaoyang Joy City. Jun 29-Sep 15 (Every day). 10am-9pm. 68RMB (children)/98RMB (adults)

Take a look at the history of the legendary British rock group The Beatles. The exhibition features themed spaces, artwork and photographs from the band's history as well as many of their classic hits.

Art of Afternoon Tea: Hello Summer

Photo: Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt. Jul 1-Sep 30. 2.30-5.30pm. 588RMB for two    

Bask in the sun on the 63rd level of Park Hyatt's dining room. Enjoy a relaxing and elegant afternoon tea experience inspired by the colourful and lively colours of the season.

Conrad Beijing X CEYLON STAR Afternoon Tea

Photo: Conrad Beijing

Chapter. Jul 1-31. 1.30-5.30pm. 288RMB plus 15 per cent service charge

This July Conrad Beijing and CEYLON STAR Jewelry host a Sapphire inspired afternoon tea. Indulge your senses with a relaxing afternoon in the Chapter Gourmet Library.

JUST Egg at Moka Bros

Photo: Moka Bros

Moka Bros (Sanlitun). Sat 6-Sun 28. 8am-4pm. FREE  

Plant-based egg alternative JUST Egg have arrived at Moka Bros, available during Moka Bros' weekend brunch hours for July. Upgrade or add the delicious scrambles for just 15RMB.

Li Xincao and the China National Symphony Orchestra

Photo: Li Xincao/247 Tickets

NCPA. Fri 5. 7.30-9.30pm. 100-300RMB

Acclaimed Chinese conductor Li Xincao conducts the China National Symphony Orchestra.

Peter Ehwald Jazz Quartet

Photo: Peter Ehwald

Modernista. Sun 7. 8.30pm-midnight. FREE

German saxophonist Peter Ehwald and his jazz quartet perform at Modernista.

Anuhea

Photo: Anuhea/247 Tickets

Blue Note Beijing. Sat 6, 7.30-9.30pm, 10pm-midnight; Sun 7, 6.30-8.30pm. 300RMB/400RMB 

Hawaiian born singer-songwriter Anuhea showcases her unique blend of acoustic soul, pop and reggae.

Wang Lei and Yile

Photo: Wang Lei and Yile/247 tickets

MAO Livehouse (Wukesong). Fri 5. 8.30-10.30pm. 100RMB (adv)

Music duo Wang Lei and Yile have dedicated themselves to the development of cross-border music projects, creating musical compositions that freely explore a myriad of musical genres. Their latest album is their fourth, focusing on the coming of age tale of growing up. From muddled ignorance to lively babbling, Absented Memories is a tribute to family and a musical documentation of their memories.

Break the Silence

Photo: School Bar

School Live Bar. Fri 5. 9pm-midnight. 75RMB

Break the Silence, or formerly known as Screaming Kong, performs at School Bar. This electro disco indie rock group has gained a considerable following over the past couple years, and has booked a summer showcase in honour of the birthday of the band's bassist. Opening the evening are rock 'n' roll band Central Park and female fronted rock band Feline.

Electric Taco X Manik

Photo: Manik

Aurora Club. Sat 6. 10pm-late. 100RMB

Producer and DJ, Manik, makes a stop in Beijing for a night of expertly crafted electronic music.  Manik has an eclectic style creating his own unique brand of house and techno. Drink, dance and let the infectious tunes take you on a journey at Aurora.

Plastic Zoo

Photo: Migas Mercado

Migas Mercado. Fri 5. 10pm-3am. FREE

Beijing DJs Watermelon and Youga bring the animal grooves to Friday's party at Migas. Start the weekend with good energy and fun vibes, coupled with a playlist of jazz, funk, broken beats and house grooves. It's sure to be one evening of plastic pleasure. 

Tolouse Low Trax

Photo: Tolouse Low Trax/WeChat

Zhao Dai. Sat 6. 10pm-late. FREE  

German producer Tolouse Low Trax, aka Detlef Weinrich, isn’t a newcomer of the scene for sure. He's still actively involved in Kreidler, and is the man behind Dusseldorf’s infamous Salon des Amateurs. Primarily exploring afro-baroque elegance through obscure arpeggios, Tolouse Low Trax's slow release hypnosis turns genres into blurry scenarios. Lose yourself in his hypnotic beats.

MONOLOC

Photo: MONOLOC/WeChat

Lantern. Sat 6. 11.30pm-late. 80RMB/50RMB (adv)

Hailing from Frankfurt, this German native spent his earlier years emerged in the city's punk scene. He then became interested in electronic music, mixing records at birthday parties and bars around the city. He soon released several EPs, quickly rising to acclaim through his brooding, sophisticated blend of house and techno.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Photo: Marvel

Cinemas around Beijing. Jun 28-Jul 28

Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man is still mourning the death of his mentor, Iron Man while also trying to live a normal non-superhero life while with his friends despite disappearing for five years. When Nick Fury calls him up to assign him a mission, he tries to avoid him, goes on a holiday with his friends hoping for some normalcy but still ends up needing to go help save the world.

China Through Cinema: In the Heat of the Sun

Photo: Culture Yard/WeChat

Culture Yard. Fri 5. 7.45-9.45pm. 50RMB/25RMB (Cultural Yard students)    

This film marks Jiang Wen's first foray into directing after years as a leading man. Set in Beijing during the 70s, Monkey and his friends roam the streets of Beijing day and night. Dealing with events of that summer, In the Heat of the Sun captures moments of adolescent friendships and crushes.

The Secret Life of Pets 2

Photo: The Secret Life of Pets 2/Universal Pictures

Cinemas around Beijing. Jul 5-Aug 5

Terrier Max is coping with some major life changes. His owner is now married and has a toddler, Liam. Max is so worried about protecting the boy that he develops a nervous tic. On a family trip to a farm, Max and mutt Duke encounter canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a terrifying turkey, all of which only elevates Max’s anxiety. Luckily, Max gets some guidance from veteran farm dog Rooster, who pushes Max to ditch his neuroses, find his inner alpha, and give Liam a little more freedom.

Cats

Photo: Alessandro Pina

Beijing Century Theatre. Wed 3-Sat 6. 7.30-9.30pm. 180RMB-1180RMB  

One of the longest-running shows on both Broadway and the West End is coming to Beijing this summer after doing so well last year. Since its premiere in 1983, Cats has received seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has been performed in 30 countries. Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles.

An American in Paris

Photo: An American in Paris/247 Tickets

Beijing Poly Theatre. Jul 2-7, 7.30-9.30pm, Jul 6-7 2.30-4.30pm. 280RMB-1080RMB 
The breathtaking Tony Award-winning Broadway musical inspired by the Oscar-winning MGM film comes to the big stage in Beijing. Jerry Mulligan is an American GI striving to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise, the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance.

Gong Xingxing: Inside

Photo: Gong Xingxing/247 Tickets

NCPA. Jul 5-6, 7.30-9.30pm. 120-240RMB

Inside by Gong Xingxing's Chinese title (Meiyou Gudao) directly translates to 'there is no lonely island', aptly describing the piece which explores the challenges of forging relationships in the information era. A performer lies in silence, curling her limbs in melancholic ballet movements. With powerful solos combined with minimal musical accompaniment, Inside highlights the vulnerability, yearning and heartfelt emotions of connections.

Rediscover Drawing Workshop

Photo: Beijing Mindfulness Centre

Beijing Mindfulness Centre. Sat 6. 300RMB    

Freely create and express yourself in a liberating environment void of all judgement. Facilitated by Beijing's long term resident and artist Johannes Nielsen, travel back to moments of child-like expression and creativity.

The Soften The Glow

Photo: Part, Glacier Paradise (2019)/Three Shadows Art Photography

Three Shadows Photography Art Centre. Jun 29-Jul 28 (Every day except Monday). 60RMB/35RMB (students)    

Created by artist Shao Wenhuan in the SMArt residency programme in Switzerland. Continuing his explorations of landscapes in the natural world, he embarked on a three-month residency exploring the Swiss mountain ranges, including the Matterhorn and the Aletsch Glacier. Combining photography with mixed media, Shao Wenhuan attempts to capture the deeper levels of this natural crisis, highlighting the direct and indirect damage to landscapes caused by changes to human life and the resulting acceleration in natural resource extraction.

Japanese Animation and Studio Ghibli Manuscript Exhibition

Photo: 247 Tickets

Polar Bear Gallery. 29 Jun-29 Aug. 68RMB/55RMB adv  

Japanese animation has captured the hearts and minds of millions worldwide, this exhibition at Polar Bear Gallery showcases some of the best cels (short for celluloid) that anime has to offer. Featuring work from Studio Ghibli and Osamu Tezuka, this is an event for true fans of anime and newcomers alike.

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