8 spectacular things to do this weekend in Beijing

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing

It's shaping up to be a beer-lliant weekend, granted, with three boozy bashes, from the return of Jing A's annual 8x8 brewing project to Great Leap turning ten, to Oktoberfest festivities at Paulaner Bräuhaus. But there's more than just craft beers too. Take a deep breath of the crisp autumn air and head out there with our top picks this weekend, from another edition of Rumble in the Jumble to a hangover-busting brunch and more.

Celebration of Colour Bazaar

Aotu Space. Sat 17. Noon-6pm. FREE

The thriftstore-cum-craft extravaganza Rumble in the Jumble returns this month with a colourful theme. Head down to Aotu Space for a rumble through stalls of homemade gourmet treats, handmade crafts, accessories, and second-hand gems, and expect some adorable furry pals from Lost Puppies of Beijing making an appearance.

Mandarin Immersion Trip: Fresh Food Market

Photo: Pixabay

Culture Yard. Sat 17. 1-3pm. 150RMB/FREE (kids under 12)

Ever find yourself scratching your head at the bewildering variety of produce at your local market but hesitant to ask because of, well, language barrier? Whether you’re looking to brush up on your Chinese culinary knowhow, or simply a language refresher outside the classroom, the Culture Yard's Mandarin immersion trip is a good place to start. Guided by their experienced teacher, take a beginner-friendly trip to a local market where you'll learn (and put into use) practical vocabulary and phrases needed for purchasing an item, and understand how to identify different local fruits and veggies, Chinese weights and more.

Spittoon Storytelling

Photo: @nevenkrcmarek/Unsplash.com

Camera Stylo. Thu 15. 8-10pm. FREE

Getting into the Halloween spirit? Spittoon, Beijing's biggest literary collective is hosting an appropriately themed short-fiction night about frightening encounters. Share and listen to a variety of spooky stories and flash fiction in a relaxed and supportive environment. All are welcome. 

8x8 Festival

Photos: Jing A

LangYuan Vintage, building 16. Fri 16, 7-11pm; Sat 17, noon-11pm. 150-650RMB

Jing A’s annual collaborative beer festival return this weekend, and this year’s edition turns its focus to showcase 16 exemplary homegrown breweries from all across China. There will be four free-flow tasting sessions over two days, with at least some 40 beers to try per session, including some truly special collaboration brews (or over 130 if you're keen to attend the entire fest). And naturally, expect plenty of finger-licking bites to help soak up copious amounts of finely-brewed hops, from jianbing, sliders, to fried chicken and Mexican staples courtesy of vendors from El Barrio, Avotaco, BigSmall Coffee and more.

Can’t make it this weekend? Catch all 16 participating brewers at Jing A’s CBD outpost this Thursday at 6pm for a brief preview of what's in store this weekend. They will be dishing out their own hoppy stuff in an epic tap takeover, at just 40RMB per pour. Hoppy days!

Great Leap's 10th Birthday

Photo: GLB

Great Leap Brewing (all locations). Sat 17. All day. 300RMB

In other equally exciting hoppy news, Great Leap Brewing is turning ten this weekend. From humble hutong beginnings to the veritable barons of Beijing brews, the great brewers are celebrating such a milestone with a birthday party set to make a rather memorable (or drunkenly forgotten) Saturday. Enter the Karl Long Challenge: all day long, at any of their locations, pay 300RMB and get a challenge card with 15 beers on it. Complete the challenge (that is, drink all 15 beers), with at least one drink at each location, and get your GLB t-shirt to become a leaping legend. There'll also be other discounts for those who don't feel up to a full 15. For 100RMB, get any four beers for 100RMB, or pair two beers with a burger or two slices of pizza (available in GLB #45 & Lido)

Paulaner Bräuhaus Beer Festival

Photo: Kempinski

Paulaner Bräuhaus. Until Sun 18. 5pm-10pm (Thur-Fri); 11:30am-10pm (Sat-Sun). FREE

So many pints, so little time. Soak up the rousing festivities of Oktoberfest and the last bit of the terrace weather at Paulaner Bräuhaus. Featuring barrels upon barrels of beer, plus pretzels, sausages and pork knuckles, the four-day festival will also include authentic Bavarian games and DJ performance. Festival-goers are encouraged to come dressed in dirndls or lederhosen to get into the spirit of Oktoberfest. 

Ladies' Night 

Mosto. Every Thur. 5.30-10.30pm

Nali Patio fixture Mosto has resumed their laid-back ladies' night for a little while now. Every Thursday, all ladies can receive two hours of free-flow including house wine and sparkling, with the purchase of any dish. Soak it all up with Mosto's tasty South American-style eats before embarking on an all-night bar crawl through Sanlitun (if you’re so inclined).

Gratitude Brunch 

Photo: Cafe Zarah

Cafe Zarah. Sun 18. 10am-3pm. 98RMB (kids)/ 198RMB (including a drink )/298RMB (all you can eat & drink)

Too much boozing has got you feeling the after effect? Fret not, Zarah has brought back their bottomless Sunday brunch which frankly looks like a hangover winner to us. It's dedicating its first edition of the year to the theme ‘gratitude’ to gives thanks to those who kept the community sane and smiling this year. Enjoy plenty of healthy munchies that should nurse you back to health, from unlimited cheese, cold cuts, smoked salmon, to salads, homemade cakes and freshly baked pastries, as well as a live-cooking egg and jianbing station. 

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