The essential things to do in Beijing this week

Make the most out of Beijing with our picks for every day of the week

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.

Get into the holiday spirit at these activities 

Photo: Santa InBeijing/Facebook

Santacon 2019. Various venues. 

There is no particular reason to dress up in Santa suits, run around Beijing for hours, give gifts, sing songs, have strangers sit on our laps and decide who is naughty or nice – but it’s a lot of fun – so Santa does it anyway. This year in its tenth incarnation, SantaCon is teaming up with top venues across Beijing to facilitate much merriment. Plus, Santa will be helping to raise money for some wonderful charities through Maovember along the way. To learn more, go to bjsantacon.com

Photo: Rumble in the Jumble

Rumble in the Jumble Christmas Market. El Nido at The Other Place. Sun 8. Noon-6pm. FREE

El Nido is playing host to Rumble in the Jumble's holiday market this weekend. Head over there and get your Christmas shopping fix with various Beijing vendors selling vintage and thrift items, jewelry, crafts and gifts, skincare products, as well as food and drinks including mulled wines to warm you up and tacos to munch on. 

Photo: Cafe Zarah

Festive Christmas Brunch. Sun 8. 10am-3pm. From 198RMB

Get into the holiday spirit with Zarah's Christmas-themed brunch buffet. Carbo-load on treats such as Yorkshire Pudding, German Lebkuchen and freshly baked Christmas cookies, all in addition to their usual Sunday brunch offerings. To make it boozier, an all-you-can-drink option is available, featuring a free-flow of Jing-A beer, wines, and Zarah's secret cocktails and their Christmas special mulled wines. 

Wet your whistle with these draft cocktails

Photo: Jing A

Peddlers Gin Takeover at Jing-A Back Bar. Jing A (Xingfucun). Sat 7. 8pm-late. 

Speaking of booze, cocktail lovers can head to Jing-A for a gin-tastic night as they team up with Peddlers Gin to pour four special draft concoctions. Adding to their menu of mixed drinks is coffee negroni, coconut espresso martini, cassis gin fizz, and old fashioned with an earl grey twist. Tempting? Go there after 11pm for a happy hour pricing at 40RMB per drink, as well as other deals on a range of bar bites. 

Soak away some winter blues at these hot spring spots

The tumbling mercury can mean only one thing: it's time to take a dip at one (or all) of Beijing's best hot spring resorts. Whether you're looking for a view or a day trip, or a multi-day bathing bender, we have tested the water and got you covered. Click here for our guide on the city's best hot springs to wash away some winter blues. 

Dance yourself clean at these nightlife events

Omni Space Third Anniversary. Omni Space. Fri 6. 8-10pm. 240RMB/180RMB adv

Omni Space, the underrated Temple-of-Heaven-adjacent-livehouse celebrates their third year anniversary with a banging line-up of gigs. Headlining is San Diego noise pop veteran Crocodiles, whose performance will mark their debut in China. Formed in 2008, Crocodiles have stayed true to the core of their fuzzy and jangly 80s-influenced sound. Joining them are local bands Dreaming Julie, Glow Curve, Whale Circus and Sisi & Fan. 

Tales of the Desert. Aurora. Fri 6. 10pm-4am. FREE

German DJ DOBé hits the deck at Aurora this weekend. A talented DJ and producer of a Berlin underground house and techno label VÆNDŒ RECORDS, his individual sound and sharp style of mixing has taken him through all musical journeys, with his list of inspirations ranging from house and techno to hip-hop, jazz, funk, and classics.

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