Things to Do Over the 2017 Dragon Boat Holiday

Yes, Dragon Boat Festival is nearly here and that means a three-day weekend cometh (Sunday, May 28 through Tuesday, May 30). Not sure what to do with the extra day? Let us help you plan ahead.

Friday-Sunday, May 26-28

Woodstock of Eating
Head over to Chia Street for the latest edition of Woodstock of Eating, which this year includes food from Pop-Up and Tocco, fun games, shopping, art, and entertainment. Expect activities like tug of war and street dancing coupled with lots of delicious things to eat, all set outside among the hustle and bustle of Sanlitun's Topwin Center. Entrance fee TBD. Noon-9pm. Topwin Center

Friday, May 26

LGBT+ Professional Networking Reception
Head over to this business mixer and meet other LGBT+ professionals, business cards in tow, for an evening of networking and mingling. RMB 100 (includes three drinks). 7-9.30pm. Science and Technology Business Space

Saturday, May 27

The Dowager and the Dynasty: A Walk and Discussion at the Summer Palace
The Empress Dowager Cixi was one of the most notorious figures of modern Chinese history. Learn more about her story, and the Summer Palace she built, with a walking tour through her magnificent creation. RMB 300 (includes all entrance tickets, book here: bookeo.com/thehutong?type=231HYPL7M14DBE547217), or RMB 260 (The Hutong members). 10am-1pm. The Summer Palace

Live Broadcast on WeChat: Emotional Intelligence 2.0
JoinTheBookClub.com is an online book club focused on personal and professional success. They hold monthly webinars on WeChat on the last Saturday of every month based on the topic of the book read that month. Each webinar provides valuable insights and practical take-aways to help with professional and personal growth. Their next webinar is on the May book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves. RMB 10. 10-10.45am. Online

Humanity - Ethnic Music From China
Take a journey through the villages and rice fields at La Plantation, with individuals from four nationalities utilizing one common language: music. Expect beautiful voices and special instruments. RMB 200, RMB 100 (students/children), RMB 150 (adults, advance), RMB 80 (students/children, advance). La Plantation

SOAS Sanctuary Pub Crawl
Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) alumni and friends on a pub crawl through Gulou. Most importantly, this event will support the SOAS Sanctuary Scholarships Appeal, which gives refugees and displaced inividuals the chance to get a higher education at SOAS for free, which now, more then ever, has the ability to change people's lives for the better. RMB 20 minimum donation (to go towards scholarships). 8pm onwards. Gulou (add megcopeland on WeChat to be added to the group)

Sunday, May 28-Tuesday, May 30

2017 YinYang Music Festival
The fourth edition of YinYang Music Festival comes to the Great Wall of China this Dragon Boat Festival. There will be lots of stages, high quality non-mainstream electronic music, incredible accomodation, and lots of other exciting performances, exhibitions, and activities. RMB 280-500 (check here: yoopay.cn/event/2017YYMF). All day. Huangyaguan Great Wall

Sunday, May 28

Charity Event: CandleX Rooftop Sunset Yoga
CandleX organize a special sunset yoga session on the rooftop of an old Beijing hutong house, with a relaxing after-workout hangout. Yoga is not just for the body, it’s also for the mind, which is why the team have created a place where similar minds have time to get to know each other, all set in a cozy setting.

CandleX are offering limited free spots for people that are suffering from depression or severe anxiety. For eligibility, please click "Read more" to access link.  RMB 100 (RSVP here: sojump.hk/jq/12978799.aspx). 5-7pm. Nanluogu Xiang

Dar La Brasa
Migas says bye to May with a final Sunday barbecue on the rooftop of the bar. Enjoy the special rooftop menu and combo deals, as well as drink specials while soaking up the sun and enjoying two-for-one Aperol spritzes. Prices vary. 2-6pm. The Bar at Migas

Monday, May 29

Memorial Day Cookout Sets
Memorial Day is coming up, Monday May 29th. Whether or not you're from the US, you'll enjoy The Local's cookout sets featuring American craft beer from Boulevard and Firestone Walker. 3-8pm. The Local

SLANT: Photography Exhibition Opening Party
An exhibition that presents two different approaches to documenting their time in China. Naomi Goddard and Tom Selmon have both been in Beijing for two years. During this time they have continuously been photographing the life around them, with Tom turning his documentations into fashion imagery, whereas Naomi has taken a more editorial approach to capturing snippets of local life.

Head on over to Fruityspace for the opening party, starting at 8pm with music from Club Paradise's DJ Chloe. The exhibition itself will run from May 27 through June 18 from 4pm-midnight. Free. 8pm. Fruityspace

Tuesday, May 30

Get Rice Dumplings
On the actual day, various hotels will be selling Dragon Boat speciality rice dumplings around town, including the Sofitel Wanda and the JW Marriott (pictured above). Prices Vary. All day

Dragon Boat Festival at That's Mandarin (pictured at the top)
Learn how to make zongzi, the sticky-rice wrapped in bamboo leaves symbolic of this holiday, at That's Mandarin for an evening of cultural activities and mingling. RMB 100. 7-9pm. That's Mandarin

Classic Movie Tuesday: Touch of Evil (1958)
Known as the 'mad genius of theater and film,' Orson Welles was one of the greatest actor-directors of the 20th Century. A true mountain of a man, both in terms of physical stature and intellect, he dominated the stage and screen in all that he did. Pop-Up Beijing will screen his classic Touch of Evil to watch the auteur at his sinister peak. Free. 8.30-9.30pm. Pop-Up Beijing

Photos: That's Mandarin, courtesy of the organizers

---

Top Stories This Week:

Beijingers Are Buzzing About: