Markets and Shows to Get You Into the Christmas Spirit
It
may seem early to start thinking about Christmas, but by the end of
this month, the festive season will be up and running with holiday
activities everywhere! Christmas in Beijing may not have the same warmth
that we would feel back home, but at least there are bazaars and
performances across the city that bring those Yuletide vibes, some of
them with a Chinese spin.
Enjoy the sights
and flavors of a traditional German Christmas market at The British
School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi. Watch out for the highlights of their
annual Christmas Fayre: a concert from BSB choirs and orchestras, the
lighting of the tree that will definitely have you singing along to the
holiday music, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus.
All ages. Free admission. 4-8pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi
The Migrant
Children's Foundation (MCF) once again holds their annual Christmas
Bazaar at Beijing City International School. Feel extra good when you
stock up your bags with holiday goods, because the bazaar is also a
fundraiser, aiming to help MCF send migrant children for a much-needed
medical checkup. Last year's event raised money for the checkup of as
many as 60 kids!
All ages. Free admission. 10am-2.30pm. Beijing City International School Main Campus
Considering a
winter fiesta? Then head to Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) for their
Winter Charity Bazaar, which ushers everyone into the festive winter
season, complete with a fair full of handcrafted goods and gifts from
dozens of local vendors and non-profit organizations, holiday food and
drinks from around the world, and entertainment throughout the day.
All ages. 11am-3pm. Western Academy of Beijing
Come out to
Beijing Riviera Country Club in Shunyi exactly a month before Christmas
for a market where you can have a sip of hot mulled wine, get authentic
food delights, and enjoy special offers on Christmas gifts sales from
many vendors from Beijing.
All ages. Free admission. 10am-6pm. Beijing Riviera Country Club
Grab your cookie
cutters and come to Zarah to craft cookies for you and the kids
supported by the Migrant Children's Foundation (MCF) as a Christmas
gift. Part of the participation fee (RMB 250 per person, RMB 150 for
kids 6-11, free for kids below 6), goes to MCF for their initiatives for
migrant kids.
All ages. The fee includes ingredients for cookie baking, Christmas dinner buffet, one drink, and an MCF apron. 5pm. Zarah (RSVP: 8403 9807, info@cafezarah.com)
Filipino community
group Kusina ni Kabayan shares the Philippine-style Christmas
festivities with everyone in Beijing at their Krismas sa Pinas holiday
bazaar. Get a taste of traditional Christmas delicacies while you enjoy
the sights of bright parol (Christmas lanterns) around the Christmas
tree. Kids can decorate the Christmas tree as well!
All ages. RMB 20 (ages 16+), RMB 5 (ages 4-15, with a Christmas tree ornament), free entrance for kids ages 0-3. 3-7pm. Plan B, Shuangjing. (WeChat ID: Kusina-ni-Kabayan, kusinanikabayan@gmail.com)
3e International
School welcomes everyone to their annual Charity Christmas Bazaar, where
everyone can buy handmade Christmas gifts or enjoy creating holiday
crafts and activities for the whole family. There's a raffle draw too
and its proceeds go to the charity initiatives by the school.
All ages. Free admission. 10am-noon. 3e International School, Lido Campus
Rumble in the
Jumble is what happens when British jumble sales, American thrift shops,
and Chinese markets gloriously collide. In time for the Christmas
season, the organizers have brought together vendors from different
countries, each touting their handicrafts, delicious foods, and vintage
or second-hand items good for Christmas gifts. There's also a surprising
selection of services, from tattoos to storytelling.
Adults. Free admission. Noon-6pm. Modernista
The 18th German
Charity Christmas Bazaar, a delightful and popular holiday fair where
over 40 stall holders and market sponsors donate their time and revenue,
will be held at the German Embassy Beijing from 11am to 6pm. Visitors
will delight in delicious traditional German food items, festive music,
books, beautiful handmade Christmas decorations, activities for the
children, a gigantic raffle with valuable prizes and more. All visitors
are asked to bring a valid passport or ID-card along with their tickets.
All ages. RMB 100 (adult tickets), RMB 10 (children tickets). Scan/Extract QR code above for the locations where you can buy tickets. 11am-6pm. German Embassy Beijing
Canadian
International School of Beijing's annual Charity Bazaar is back! Get all
of your holiday shopping done and support worthwhile charities while
you do it. Get holiday gifts and food, and enjoy music, arts and crafts
activities.
All ages. Free. 10am-3pm. Canadian International School of Beijing (admissions@CISBeijing.com)
Get what you've
always wanted for Christmas at the Festive Family Day bazaar, organized
by Hilton Beijing. It features over 40 Christmas vendors and activities
to get everyone into the spirit of the holiday.
All ages. Free admission. 2-8pm. 3/F, Hilton Beijing
The Beijing
International Chamber Orchestra (BICO) stages their Christmas Concert,
featuring Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg's enchanting musical tale,
Peer Gynt, and his much-loved Piano Concerto. This performance continues
BICO's longstanding tradition of presenting entertaining and
educational concerts for the family. There's a special guest too, Santa
Claus, who will tell interesting stories and will bring a gift for every
child!
All ages. RMB 250 (adults), RMB 150 (children). 4-6pm. Canadian International School of Beijing (158 1124 3143, maria.nauen@mail.ru)
At the (high) heels of
the successful first Drag Brunch last September, the Beijing LGBT Center
is once again hosting this event with an added red, green and gold
Christmas twist. Now at a more convenient location of Sanlitun, guests
will be entertained by drag queen host Ms. Anna Summers to raise funds
for the continued operational costs of the Center. Buffet brunch and
unlimited drinks for 2 hours, with happy hour prices after.
Adults (kids with adult supervision welcome). RMB 300 (kids come FREE). 12 - 5pm. Sanlitun venue (Add Toby on WeChat: Toby-BJ)
Head to Beijing
Riviera Country Club and sing along at Carols for a Cause 2018, a
charity fair and holiday market hosted by the Beijing Riviera Country Club
and the Migrant Children's Foundation (MCF). The market happens from
11am to 4pm on December 9, with activities including carol singing for
both kids and adults.
All ages. Free admission. 11am-4pm. Beijing Riviera Country Club
Atelier Art School
transforms into a Christmas Factory where visitors can celebrate the
holidays with artsy-crafty activities, mulled wine, and French crêpes,
and also discover the works of Atelier students.
All ages. Free. 3-6pm. Atelier Art School Sanlitun (WeChat ID: atelier_apas, 6416 1614, contact@atelier.cn.com)
The Bookworm hosts
a Christmas market on Dec 9, featuring 35 vendors offering different
products, handicrafts, home decor, food and beverage, and more
surprises!
All ages. Free. 4.30-9.30 The Bookworm (JC Zhang: 158 1071 3743, mr_j.c.zhang@hotmail.com)
Moka Bros
celebrates the most wonderful time of year with a Yuletide fête for the
whole family. Merry activities for all ages are available: sip hot
chocolate while decorating a gingerbread man, or help Moka Bros staff
adorn their Christmas tree.
All ages. RMB 40. Noon-3pm. Moka Bros Shuangjing event on Dec 15. Moka Bros Solana event on Dec 16 (norris@mostobj.com)
Join the
Conservatory of International Style and Cultural Arts (CISCA) in their
gala performance of The Nutcracker. Student performers showcase their
technical skills to give the audience an unforgettable experience. The
gala aims to raise funds for the Tian Art Foundation, which helps highly
talented, but underprivileged children, in their development within the
performing arts.
All ages. RMB 280-1,000. 2-5pm. Canadian International School of Beijing (188 8883 2623, becky@cisca.com.cn)
Got you in the mood for giving? You can see all of this year's Christmas related events here:
Most of the content in this article originally appeared on our sister account beijingkids.
Photos courtesy of WAB, courtesy of the event organizers
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