Top eleven Thanksgiving events for families!

The fourth Thursday of November is almost upon us, which means Thanksgiving and turkey season is back! 

And while it’s no secret that Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what you have, what may elude you is where exactly to celebrate it with the family (and maybe most importantly, where to have some turkey without the kids running too amok).

We’ve chosen eleven spots for its unique qualities, but get the complete, and most updated list by clicking on Read More at the end of this article. 

For a Thanksgiving where kids can get involved... 

Image: flomo001 via Pixabay

Then off you go to Domain at East, where children can have a more personal connection with Thanksgiving by making their own apple pies and, of course, reveling in it! In addition to their apple pies and the license to get messy, kids also get a complimentary juice at the end. Now see if that doesn't make a grateful child out of your little baker!  

Domain, Second Floor, East Hotel, 22 Jiuxianqiao, Chaoyang district (8426 0888) 酒仙桥路22号东隅酒店. Sat 17 Nov, 2pm. 168RMB. 

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

The Beijing Women’s Network is also hosting a family-friendly Thanksgiving event at Inn Cube this weekend. They’re inviting attendees to also bring a dish or two to the potluck party. During the event, there will be games, crafts, thank you lists, a thank you tree, an exploration of the origins of Thanksgiving through food and fruit offerings, movie time and a short discussion afterward. Families are also encouraged to bring items to give away (such as food and clothing) which will be donated to homeless people. Proceeds go to the event’s partner charity, Xixi Garden, an NGO that aims to empower migrant children with the tools necessary for healthy development and positive social relations. Tickets are 70RMB for adults, 100RMB for parent and child, 250RMB for a family ticket, 140RMB for one parent and two kids, a ticket for three friends 150RMB and a Bring a Friend ticket (two friends maximum) for 110RMB.  

Inn Cube, Ninth Floor, Jingchao Dasha, 5 Nongzhanguan Nan Lu, Chaoyang district (185 1547 5841; www.eventbank.cn/event/19618/) 朝阳区农展馆南路5号京朝大厦9层.  17 Nov 10am-2pm.  

For a Thanksgiving out of the city...

Photo from The Brickyard

Book a table at the Brickyard. Go spoil yourselves astride a lovely view of Mutianyu and a spread of Thanksgiving delights laid out on your table. Enjoy your (hopefully low AQI) evening as you are serenaded by their live jazz performers. Oh, and the kids? Let them enjoy themselves in the kids' play area with activities hosted by a teacher. Cost is 388RMB for adults and 158RMB for children under 18. For overnight stays, please inquire with the organiser. 

Brickyard Mutianyu Yingbeigoucun, Huairou district (6162 6506; [e-mail]) 怀柔区营北沟村 Thu 22 and Sat 24 Nov, 5-11pm

For a more religious Thanksgiving...

Photo from Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Apart from the transportation fee to Daxing district, this is probably the cheapest Thanksgiving in town (because it’s free!). The Beijing International Christian Fellowship’s (BICF) Yizhuang congregation warmly invites the city to join them in Yizhuang and to experience Thanksgiving in a Christian environment. Turkey will be provided at no cost, but donations are welcome.    

OBE Internet Innovation Park, 29 Kechuang Qi Jie, Yizhuang, Daxing district (132 6017 4429) 大兴区亦庄科创七街29号. Sun 18 Nov, midday. Free; donations appreciated. 

For those with super energetic kids...

Photo from Feast 

Feast is readying its turkeys for the families and has added a luxurious touch to its buffet selection which includes fresh seafood and imported cheeses. And because it's Thanksgiving, of course, there's going to be pie – on a massive pie table! Once the kids are done with their meals, they can head over to the Kids' Corner while mom and dad relax with a couple of rounds of Feast’s free-flow house wine, beer or soft drinks. 348RMB for adults, 174RMB for kids 7-12 years old and free for kids below six.  

EAST, Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district (8414 9820) 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号 Thu 22 Nov, 5.30-9pm.  

Photo from Four Seasons Hotel

Opus at Four Seasons hotel will wine and dine you with traditional brunch favourites such as its Thanksgiving special stuffed turkey with cranberry sauce and gravy, roasted wagyu ribeye, honey glazed ham, pumpkin pies and more. Kids will have their say in their choice of dinner at their very own kid station with a spread of the usual favourites such as mini-burgers, French fries and more. Where is it you might wonder? Right next to the kids’ play area, of course! The problem here will be making sure they remember how to come back to the table! 

Prices*:  

498RMB with free-flow soft drinks 

588RMB with free-flow house wines 

628RMB with free-flow Duval Leroy Brut Champagne 

Kids' brunch (ages six-12) at 268RMB, free for kids below six

*Prices are subject to 15 per cent service charge.

Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, 48 Liangmaqiao Lu Chaoyang district ( 5695 8532)四季酒店 北京市朝阳区亮马桥路48号. Sun 18 and Sun 25 Nov, midday-3pm.

Photo from Kerry's Kitchen

Gather your family and friends and head to Kerry's Kitchen this Thanksgiving over a bountiful buffet of traditional and creative dishes such as roast turkey with stuffing, grilled Australian prime beef ribs, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and gravy, log cakes and more. Spend quality play time with the kids as they also enjoy access to Adventure Zone, Kerry's indoor themed playground with slides and fun challenges.

Kerry Hotel Beijing, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district (8565 2088) 朝阳区光华路1号北京嘉里中心饭店1层 Thu 22 Nov, 5.30-10pm. 338RMB per adult and 169RMB per child six-12 years old. Free for kids below six.

For the vegetarians...

Photo by Pro Church Media on Unsplash

While the rest of the town is offering turkeys, The Local is offering (in addition to turkeys) a vegetarian alternative to its more meat-conscious clients. The Local will also be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner where diners can choose from either a turkey meal (containing 300g of turkey and individual helpings of each of the sides) or the vegetarian option (which serves all the same sides but replaces turkey with gnocchi).

4 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang district (6591 9525; WeChat: localKenn) 朝阳区工体北路4号院机电研究院内 Sun 18 - Sun 25 Nov, 6pm onwards. 338RMB (100RMB deposit required to book). 

For where kids eat for free...

Swissotel Beijing not only plans to give you an amazing feast but also a discount if you decide to share a mere 25RMB of your blessings to charity. Your 25RMB donation to Plant for the Planet's ‘Give a Tree’ online fundraising initiative is equivalent to one tree that they will plant on your behalf. All proceeds generated from the campaign will go towards China Zigen, the hotel group's NGO partner for Plant for the Planet in Greater China. And for the kind-hearted souls (and discount-lovers) who do donate, Swissotel will show their thankfulness by reducing your buffet lunch from 248RMB to 174RMB, and your dinner buffet from 298RMB to 208RMB. Kids 7-12 years old will be charged half the price of the original buffet fee while kids six and below can dine for free*.  They will be serving up an equally generous Thanksgiving spread which includes roasted turkey, festival desserts and traditional Swiss foods.

During these four days, there will also be a Thanksgiving Charity Bazaar at Swissôtel Beijing at its gallery on the second floor. The hotel is soon temporarily closing for renovations and is selling hotel equipment such as limited collections and handmade crafts. Give a tree, go Christmas shopping and of course, give thanks for the blessings we have.  

Swissotel Beijing 2 Chaoyangmen Bei Dajie, Chaoyang district (6553 2288) 朝阳北大街2号 Mon 19 - Thu 22 Nov, 11.30am-9.30pm

*Maximum one child under 6 years old per parent; additional children will be charged half price as well. 

Signature at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center is inviting everyone to join them as they start the holiday season that includes a live-music DJ performance, homemade pastry sweets, various live-cooking stations and pass-around plates. Don't miss the glazed turkey, flavourful stuffing, decadent pies, free-flow soft drinks and house wine. 

Book before Wed 21 and get 20 per cent off on their Wechat shop kempinski_Beijing. For more information please contact the organiser.

Signature, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district (6410 4222; [e-mail]) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号凯宾斯基饭店 Thu 22 Nov, 6-10pm. 328RMB for adults (includes soft drinks and house wine); 164RMB for children aged seven-12. Free for kids six years and below. 

Hilton Beijing Wangfujing's posh restaurant Vasco aims to please with their special Thanksgiving Day dinner buffet that includes succulent seafood, sashimi, grilled meats, maple syrup glazed country ham and, of course, with the roasted turkey taking centerstage! Colorful desserts, ice cream and a variety of seasonal fruits are also ready to sweep you and your senses away. 

Vasco, 8 Wangfujing Dong Jie, Wangfujing, Dongcheng district (5812 8888 ext 8411/8412) 东城区王府井东大街8号 Thu 22 Nov, 5.30-10pm. 288RMB (+15 per cent service charge per adult, 144RMB (+15 per cent service charge) for kids six-12 years old. Free for kids under six. 

Click Read Me below to see the complete list!

For more family activities in Beijing,

tap '阅读原文' at the bottom of this page.

MORE FROM TIME OUT FAMILY

We're now on Facebook! 
Turn on your VPN and follow us!