28 fantastic things to do in Beijing this weekend

Photo: Modernista

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing

The mercury is expected to decline this weekend, bringing with it some relief from the heat as well as plenty of reasons to head out with a jam-packed line-up of ballin' events. From mouth-watering food deals to stomping gigs and theatre events, enjoy the cool weather and make the most out of the weekend outside.

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.

Calligraphy Workshop with Cultural Keys

Photo: Cultural Key

Cultural Key. Sat 3. 9am-6.30pm. 688RMB/388RMB

Learning the art of calligraphy may take some time and patience, but there's a lot to take away from one of China's most famous cultural treasures. Join Cultural Key's monthly workshop where each class you'll take away a bit of Chinese culture, some patience and control, and also the focus required to do it, quite similar to meditation.

Comedy Club China: Storm Xu

Photo: The Bookworm

The Bookworm. Fri 2. 9-11pm. 150RMB

Study In Australia is an hour-long standup comedy show created and performed by Storm Xu. It depicts stories of him spending two and a half years studying at an Australian TAFE, getting to know different cultures and people, eventually turning culture clashes into humour

Exclusive Couple’s Culture Retreat 

Photo: 247 Tickets

Songzhuang Art District. Sat 3-Sun 4. 9am-7pm. 2,588RMB/per couple

Connect with Chinese culture and reconnect with your partner at this exclusive weekend retreat held at the Songzhuang Art District. Experience four workshops, including Chinese painting, calligraphy, Taichi, and a ceramics workshop, all which taught by experienced teachers. End off the night with a stay at a beautiful boutique hotel inspired by the Tang dynasty, reserved specially for retreat participants.

First Chinese Culture Renaissance Festival

Photo: Experteas

Shang 8 Li Wenchuangyuan 尚8里文创园. Sat 3. 3-10pm. 35RMB

Come enjoy a day of festivities and immerse yourself in ancient Chinese culture. Try on Hanfu (ancient Chinese dress) and learn how to make incense and lipsticks. You will also get to catch a beauty pageant where participants don ancient Chinese dresses. The fair will also be selling oolong ice cream, the perfect treat to combat the hot Beijing summer.

KFC Comedy Presents: Andy Curtain

Photo: The Bookworm

The Bookworm. Sat 3. 8-10pm. FREE

Australian comedian Andy Curtain kicked off 2019 with a bang, touring Asia with Jim Gaffigan and Jim Jefferies, and working with acts including Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle and Gad Elmaleh. He featured on SiriusXM, Comedy Cellar Radio, The Riotcast Network and in The Sydney Morning Herald. He stars in the online Mamahuhu series, hosts the Stuck In The Middle podcast and spent the last 8 years touring through the US, Asia and Australia.

A Walk and Discussion in the Hutongs of Beijing

Photo: Beijing By Foot

Shijia Hutong Museum. Fri 2. 1.30-4.30pm. 300RMB/260RMB (members)

One of Beijing’s most distinctive urban features, the hutongs have long been at the heart of the capital’s unique local culture. This walk explores the past, present, and future of the hutongs, Beijing’s network of historic alleyways from missionaries and ministers to the musicians of old and new. For more information and to get tickets, visit beijingbyfoot.com. 

NonViolent Communication Essentials Workshop

Photo: NonViolent Communication

Beijing Mindfulness Centre. Sun 4. 10am-6pm. 1,300RMB

NonViolent Communication is the art of speaking from the heart, finding out what matters and learning to express that in a gentle yet firm voice. Come learn about transforming conflicts into opportunities to learn, working towards creating greater connection, compassion and peace within ourselves, families, workplace and the world.

Plant-based La Pizza Dinner

Photo: Rahul Upadhyay/Unsplash

La Pizza. Sat 3. 7-10pm. 210RMB

Mark your calendars for a delicious Italian dinner at La Pizza. Indulge in a scrumptious four course plant based meal of soup, pizza, pesto or tomato gnocchi and a delectable sorbet dessert. Pair the menu of the evening with a glass of wine or beer. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to Roots & Shoots, a charity established as party of the Jane Goodall Institute that encourages young people to take action for the environment, animals and the community.

Tambo Gran Tambo

Photo: Pachapapi

Pachapapi. Sun 4. 6-9pm. FREE

Tambo Gran Tambo is another sensory event rendered by Velveteen’s Secret Potions for Very Special People. This time including a Very Special Pabulum inspired by Andean Tambo Cuisine and masterfully prepared by Pachapapi Peruvian Restaurant. The live show with the Chilean band Ensemble Folk will be accompanied by summoning La Camanchaka to have the presence of Pachamama so you fully experience a tambo fiesta.

Uncorked: Un exclusive wine tasting

Photo: UNION

UNION. Fri 2. 6-9pm. 200RMB/188RMB door

A delectable bottle of wine can be decided by its look, smell and taste. With colour you can tell the age. With smell you can identify the grapes. With taste you can tell you the entire story of the wine. UNION has invited three sommeliers from The House Collective for an exclusive tasting. Together these sommeliers will share their story and guide us through a tasting journey with over 20 different wines.

Defecate Indiscriminately

Photo: School Bar

School Bar & Party Project. Sun 4. 9pm-midnight. 66RMB

Defecate Indiscriminately performs their debut EP this evening. Join these hardcore punks and help them celebrate the occasion. Getting things started are friends and pop-punkers Wireless Puppets and folky punk trio That What.

Princess Angine 

Photo: Modernista

Modernista. Fri 2. 10pm-1am. FREE

Get ready for an evening of explosive pop-rock sounds unlike any other. This Friday, Russian-Austrian band Princesse Angine will make your hearts beat and feet move with musical fervour as they bring their energising sound of Russian rock and contemporary pop to the stage of Modernista.

The Aaron Goldberg Trio

Photo: 247 Tickets

Blue Note. Sat 3, 7.30-9.30pm, 10pm-late; Sun 4, 6.30-8.30pm. 340RMB (table seat)/240RMB (side seat)

Hailed by Down Beat magazine for his quick-witted harmonic reflexes, fluid command of line and cut to the chase narrative logic, Aaron Goldberg is one of jazz's most compelling pianists. As a bandleader, Aaron's passion for swing, melody and groove has long been paired with a keen appreciation of other musical cultures.

The Vincent Herring Quartet

Photo: 247 Tickets

Blue Note. Thu 1-Fri 2. 7.30-9.30pm, 10pm-late. 280RMB/200RMB.

Vincent Herring, one of the world's foremost voices on alto saxophone which earned him a spot playing alongside legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and Freddie Hubbard. Herring's playing and writing express a deep understanding of the blues and straight-ahead bop, but easily shift gears into expressive and forceful playing associated with 1960s John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy. The saxophone master returns to the international concert stage with a new quartet of New York jazzmen, pianist David Kikoski, bassist Yasushi Nakamara, and drummer Peppe Merolla. Herring brings his diverse bop and post-bop influences together into a swinging quartet that can easily handle a varied repertoire from sensual ballads to earthy, gospel-tinged blues. The Vincent Herring Quartet delivers the goods on all levels.

UT Insieme Vocale Consonante

Photo: 247 Tickets

NCPA. Sat 3. 7.30-9.30pm. 50-480RMB. 

UT Insieme Vocale Consonante is an a cappella vocal ensemble consisting of a number of members, from the materialistic to the chamber choir, singers come from different parts of Italy and have a well-established musical and vocal experience as most of them are choral conductors. The ensemble collaborates with some of the world's best known conductors and composers, creating unique concerts to promote contemporary choral music. Join them for an evening of unforgettable music.

Back to the 90’s

Photo: Migas Mercado

Migas Mercado. Fri 2. 10pm-late. FREE

DJ G4 takes you back to this 90's this Friday. A time where Michael Jackson made history in the Super Bowl; Madonna became much more than just a singer, she became a writer, an actress and a sex symbol; technology stirred the music industry up and when The Back Street Boys were adored.

Blackout presents Eduardo De La Calle 

Photo: Eduardo de la Calle/Facebook

Zhao Dai. Fri 2. 10pm-late. tba

One of techno’s most intriguing and misunderstood figures is returning to Beijing. Thanks to his constant musical coherence and values, Eduardo de la Calle has gained worldwide respect and reputation inside the underground electronic music scene. His commitment to making uncompromising music is underscored with his spiritual and intellectual journey.

Silent Disco Party By Atmosphere Bar

Photo: Atmosphere Bar

Atmosphere. Sat 3. 8.30pm-late. 198RMB

Atmosphere Bar will be hosting a silent disco party, on the 80th floor of the China World Summit Wing right here in Beijing. Enjoy a private disco at Atmosphere Bar, with two DJs playing different music that guests can choose from just by changing the channels on their headphones.

Better Angels

Photo: Better Angels

Cinemas around Beijing. Until Fri 2.

Better Angels is a feature documentary exploring the relationships between the world's two largest superpowers, China and the USA. As they race towards political and economic conflict, they find themselves linked and interdependent on each other in an increasingly globalised world and economy.

China Through Cinema: Beijing Bastards

Photo: Hubert Bals Fund/Network Films

Culture Yard. Fri 2. 7.45-9.45pm. 50RMB

Beijing Bastards (北京杂种) is a 1993 film directed by Zhang Yuan. Though it was made in a partnership between China and Hong Kong, it caused controversy when it was entered into the Toronto International Film Festival competition in Toronto. The story features the well-known Chinese rock pioneer Cui Jian as the leader of a group that plays in a tiny Beijing rock club. The group can't find a replacement for the rehearsal space they have lost and the fighting, drinking and quarreling that takes place among these fringe members of modern China is the driving force behind the storyline.

The Secret Life of Pets 2

Photo: The Secret Life of Pets 2/Universal Pictures

Cinemas around Beijing. Until Aug 5.

The highly anticipated sequel to the 2016 comedic blockbuster returns. Packed with its signature irreverence and subversive humour, this new chapter explores the emotional lives of our pets, the deep bond between them and the families that love them, answering the question that has long intrigued every pet owner: What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?

Papillon The Snow Queen: Mirrorlands

Photo: The Snow Queen/Central Partnership

Cinemas around Beijing. Opens Fri 2.

After a powerful king nearly loses his family because of the Snow Queen's evil deeds, he finds a way to ban all the magic from the world. All possessors of magical powers are trapped in Mirrorlands. The only one that can stop him and keep the fairytale alive is Gerda. With faith in kindness and friendship, Gerda embarks on a new adventure with the help of trolls, pirates and even the Snow Queen herself.

International Hiten Circus: Holiday With Pets

Photo: International Hiten Circus/WeChat

Shijingshan Amusement Park. 3 Sat–18 Sat Aug (Sat-Sun), 10.30am-12pm, 7-8.30pm. 80-680RMB

With an exciting line-up of circus acts from aerial stunts to acrobatics and tightrope walking, dazzle in the performances of the circus troupe as they wow you with their tricks. Expect an entertaining and interactive performance showcase from the award-winning circus troupe International Hiten Circus.

The Long March

Photo: NCPA/247 Tickets

NCPA. Sat 3-Sun 4. 7-9pm. 160-880RMB.

The Long March is an opera commissioned by the NCPA in memory of the 80th anniversary of the Red Army's victory in the Long March. The opera, adapted from the true history of the Chinese Workers, faithfully recreates the hardships that were suffered during the Long March. Catch the retelling of this poignant event in Chinese history.

The Patma Music Family Concert: Meet Mozart

Photo: Patma Music Family Concerts/247 Tickets

Beijing Theatre. Sun 4. 7.30-8.45pm. 100-196RMB

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has composed more than 600 works throughout his entire lifetime, many of which have been acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Mozart's musical influence on classical composers and subsequently on Western art music is undeniable. Learn more about this musical prodigy through Patma Music Family Concerts that provide high quality orchestral music for children in an interactive and engaging manner.

Bowie by Mick Rock

Photo: 247 Tickets

798 Art Factory. Until Aug 29. 108-120RMB  

Between 1972 and 1973, as David Bowie was redefining glam rock as the androgynous alien rock star Ziggy Stardust, fellow Londoner Mick Rock was the musician’s official photographer. Catch snapshots of 65 rare Bowie moments, from the extraterrestrial fashion outfits on album covers to intimate dressing moments and private performances.

Picasso Birth of a Genius

Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. Until Sep 1 (Except Mon). 138-188RMB  

Arriving this June, 'Picasso – Birth of a Genius' is the most significant exhibition of work by Pablo Picasso ever to take place in China. Offering a comprehensive overview of the first three decades of Picasso’s career, the exhibition includes 103 works drawn entirely from the collection of the Musée national Picasso-Paris, tracing Picasso’s development from childhood to middle age and promising an in-depth insight into the life of one of the most influential artists in the history of modern art. 

Santiago Alemán: Natural Light

Photo: Santiago Alemán/Jitu Gallery

Jitu Creative Space. Until Aug 11. FREE

Spanish artist Santiago Alemán opens his exhibition ‘Natural Light’ at JITU Creative Space this weekend showcasing his paintings from his stay in China. Among them the series ‘Fiat Lux (Let There Be Light)’, ‘Intentions’, ‘Lux Tribus’ and ‘Green Skin’.

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