Your ultimate guide to Thanksgiving in Beijing with the kids

Celebrate Thanksgiving your way with these many options around town. It's time to get planning and dig out your special stretchy trousers. Next Thursday, November 28 marks Thanksgiving, that American holiday filled with pies, parades and presidential pardons (of turkeys). So we sought out the best ways to celebrate the occasion, whether it be an activity for the kids, dining out, getting a Thanksgiving feast delivered or by whipping one of your own at home. For those looking to order in, make sure to book in advance as some require several days' notice. Restaurants offering vegan options include Fella's, The Local and Arrow Factory Brewing. Read on for our picks below on where to find your Thanksgiving fix in Beijing. 

   Activities   

Domain's Thanksgiving mini apple pie baking class

What is it?A DIY mini apple pie baking class for your little chefs at Domain this Saturday 23 from 2-3pm. Price 188RMB/childBook  8426 0888. More information here.

Shangri-La Hotel's art and food Thanksgiving event

What is it?
Kids will learn how to make flower baskets, their own pumpkin pies and then listen to a brief history about Thanksgiving and some dining etiquette over the turkey spread. Afterwards, head over to the hotel lobby and watch the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, all on Saturday 30, 1.30-5.30pm.Price 398RMB per child, includes afternoon tea at the lobby lounge for 2; 60RMB per additional child
Book Reserve here.

   Restaurants with a play area  

Feast (Food by East)

What is it?A festive twist on Feast's usual buffet with plenty of roast turkey, bone-in ham, Chinese stir-fry, imported cheese and other favourites. And when the kids get bored, send them over to the restaurant's popular indoor play area. Price For 348RMB, you'll get all that plus free-flow soft drinks, craft beer and house wine; half-price for children aged 7-12; free for children under six.Book 8426 0888; learn more here.    

Fella's

What is it?
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a cause while keeping the kids entertained at Fella's upcoming Thanksgiving Charity event. Dine in for either lunch or dinner. All proceeds will go towards paying the winter heating costs and education needs of the children at Angel Home Orphanage. And once the kids are done with their meals, set them off to play their hearts out at Fella's indoor play area.Price 65RMB for vegan and 88RMB for regular serving for lunch. The dinner buffet options costs 190RMB if you book ahead; 220RMB at the door  and half-price off for kids under 12 years old. Book 186 1174 7939

   Dining (by area)   

CBD

Photo: Beersmith

Beersmith

What is it?Beersmith is putting on the full works with juicy, slow-roasted turkeys and all the traditional trimmings. Their Traditional Roast Turkey Meal serves up to eight people, featuring a 5-6kg bird with chestnut stuffing and a fantastic array of sides: think traditional roasted potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes and squash with dried cranberries and pecans, braised red cabbage, carrots cooked with Chardonnay, gravy and cranberry sauce. Order a take-out for staff parties or home gatherings without the hassle of cooking. Or dine in for the full Beersmith experience to enjoy traditional decorations and party vibes thanks to live music from in-house band Soul Shake.Price 988RMB for take-out; 1,288RMB to dine in.Book 6605 2277

Conrad Beijing

What is it?Enjoy a festive buffet dinner with Chapter or a set menu meal at 29 Grill. Make it even more special with 29 Grill's more elaborate full feast turkey takeaway menu consisting of a 6kg whole Turkey including sauces and sides, pan-fried turkey stuffing roll, stir-fried brussels sprout, butter-fried chestnuts with brown sugar, grilled baby carrot, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy.

Price 338RMB per person at Chapter; 468RMB for a set menu Thanksgiving meal at 29 Grill or order the elaborate take-away menu at 2,019RMB.

Book 6584 6000; [e-mail].

Dongcheng

Photo: The Orchid Lodge

The Orchid (Thursday 28)
What is it?Join Chef Olivia and her team for a classic Southern Thanksgiving feast. Happening at the Orchid Lodge, the menu includes all of your Thanksgiving classics, from roasted turkeys with gravy to mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie and candied yams. Limited seats available. From 7-10pm. 

Price 268RMB per personBook 131 2013 1775; [e-mail]

Hutong'er Pie

What is it?Now in its fourth year running, you're unlikely to get a much more close-knit experience this holiday season, with a dinner and all the trimmings (and, of course, lots of pie) served by the pie purveyors at Capital Spirit's latest incarnation at Longfusi. From 7pm til late.

Price 277RMBBook 130 0119 8860; [e-mail]

The Orchid Lodge (Sat 30)

What is it?
The long table family-style Thanksgiving dinner includes roasted turkey, cranberry sauce and gravy, candied yam with marshmallow, brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cheese cauliflower gratin, The Bakeshop sourdough stuffing, The Bakeshop Orange Kale salad, dinner rolls and butter and pumpkin pie. The package also includes wine and other beverages. Happening on Saturday 30 from 7.30 to 10pm.Price 488RMB/person; 288RMB for children under 15Book 131 2013 1775

Sanlitun

Photo: The Opposite House/WeChat

The Opposite House
What is it?
Get The Opposite House's Thanksgiving dinner sets-to-go at 15 percent off until Friday 22. The New York includes a whole roast turkey, three sides of your choice, cranberry sauce and rich gravy; The California includes a whole roast turkey and roast chicken, four sides of your choice, cranberry sauce, rich gravy and a pie of your choice while The Florida includes two whole roast turkeys, 6 sides of your choice, cranberry sauce, rich gravy and 2 pies of your choice.Price The New York costs 988RMB; The California costs 1,088RMB while The Florida costs 1,588RMB. Book  6410 5215

Home Plate

What is it?Head to Home Plate for an American Thanksgiving fare with a Southern twist. Serving a buffet of whole smoked turkeys, whole smoked hog and all the other classic fixings such as whipped garlic mashed potatoes, pecan-crusted sweet potatoes, country green beans, cornbread dressing, boozy cranberry sauce, smoked giblet gravy, and bourbon cornbread pudding for those with a sweet tooth. They also have your back for those who'd rather celebrate Thanksgiving at home, with turkeys and sides available for takeaway or on an ala carte basis.Price Dine in: 388RMB, 188RMB for children under 12;  takeaway: 1,688RMB. Learn more about their takeaway ala carte options here.Book 6585 9200 or book here.

Jing A

What is it?

Loosen your belts for Jing A's Thanksgiving dinner. Included in the menu are honey glazed turkeys, which you can choose from a quarter, half or whole birds. They're served alongside delectable sides such as a homemade Chorizo stuffing, crispy Brussel sprouts, roasted garlic mash, cranberry sauce and a classic pumpkin pie. There's also kegs of their Monster Mash Pumpkin Ale to enjoy. Thanksgiving sets are also available for pick-up at their Xingfucun location until December 1 but requires a minimum of four days' notice. 

Price 1/4 turkey for 600RMB; 1/2 turkey for 1,200RMB and 1 turkey for 2,400RMB. Book 6416 5195 at JingA Brewpub Xingfucun or 8400 1058 at their new Taproom in Longfusi. 

Lily's American DinerWhat is it?
One of the oldest restaurants to serve Thanksgiving meals around Beijing is yet again offering a Thanksgiving spread, and this year's menu includes a freshly roasted US Imported Turkey with homemade stuffing, mashed potato, sweet potato, mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce and gravy and a garden salad or soup plus a choice of one dessert. Alternatively, celebrate the season in the comfort of your homes with the restaurant's delivery service and order in a whole roasted US imported turkey. Sides include homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce and gravy. Also available are fresh homemade pumpkins or apple pies. Home delivery orders will require a 50 percent deposit and must be paid before Sunday 24.Price 219RMB/adult, 179RMB/child. Takeaway for 139RMB/kg. Sides are 30RMB per person and homemade pumpkins and apple pies cost 129RMB eachBook Joe: 131 4642 7090

Liangmaqiao/Sanyuanqiao

Photo: Signature's Restaurant

Signature's Restaurant
What is it?
Signature's Restaurant's Thanksgiving buffet includes a whole roasted turkey, Thanksgiving ham with sweet potatoes, homemade pastry and pumpkin pie. Highlights also include various live-cooking stations, pass-around specialities and a live DJ-show. The buffet also includes unlimited Paulaner beer, house wine and soft drinks. From 6-10pm.Price 388RMB per personBook [e-mail] or 6465 3388 ext. 4222

Miam Miam

What is it?A delicious roasted turkey (5-6kg) including four garnitures and two sauces at an affordable price. The meal is for up to 8 persons, and you can get this offer until the end of the year.

Price Get a take away for just 888RMB (111RMB per person) or dine in for just 1,180RMB (147.5RMB per person).

Book 139 1186 7264
Boxing Cat BreweryWhat is it?Celebrate Thanksgiving with Boxing Cat Brewery with their to-go options or their dine-in options. For those who prefer take-out, The Basics includes a 5-6kg pre-cooked butter roasted turkey, herb pan gravy and Mom's Cranberry Sauce. The Deluxe includes The Basics package plus 12 dinner rolls, buttery mashed potatoes and traditional sage stuffing. More options here. Or dine in by booking your spots to the brewery's Legendary Thanksgiving Buffet instead; reservations are mandatory. Choose between two time slots: one from 5-8pm and the second from 8.30pm onwards.Price Takeaway: The Basics cost 1,088RMB; The Deluxe costs 1,388RMB; Dine in: 388RMB per adult, 108RMB for kids ages 6-12 and free for kids ages 0-5Book it at  6461 6737; more information here.
The LocalWhat is it?Choose from either a turkey meal (containing 300g of turkey and individual helpings of each of the sides) or the vegetarian option (which serves the same sides but replaces turkey with gnocchi).Price 338RMB (with 100RMB deposit to book); 238RMB for the vegetarian mealBook Add The Local on WeChat (ID: localKenn).Arrow Factory Brewery
What is it?
A plant-based Thanksgiving feast organised by both Arrow Factory Brewing and Vegans of Beijing. Menu includes seitan turkey, roast aubergine and mushroom wellington, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potato, corn on the cob oozing with vutter, brussels sprouts, vegan mac and cheese, vegan stuffing, cranberry sauce, vravy and a surprise dessert with ice cream. From 7.30pm.Price 198RMBBook here

The Brickyard (by Mutianyu Great Wall)

What is it?

Whet your appetites with a whole roast turkey served family-style, and end the meal off with a dessert buffet. Live music and entertainment will also be provided, so sing and dance to your heart's content, all while under one of China's most iconic sites. Brickyard will be offering special bus services for those without private cars. The event is from 5 to 8.30pm on Thursday 28 or, for those who can't get away on a weekday, join their reprise special instead on Saturday 30.

Price 388RMB; 188RMB for ages 4-18, free for children below 4. Staycation options available as well from 2,688RMB.

Book it at 6162 6506 or email them at [e-mail].

   Shopping   

F2N Market: Thanksgiving Plant-Based Market

What is it?For an alternative, perhaps a turkey-less, way to celebrate Thanksgiving, purchase some organic, plant-based goodies from F2N's Thanksgiving Holiday Market. In partnership with Veggie Planet, the event celebrates an eco-friendly, low-carbon footprint lifestyle. There will be a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan-friendly foods on sale and workshops for people to learn and enjoy how to enjoy a healthy diet without sacrificing delicious taste. The event will be taking place at The Grand Summit on Sunday 24, from noon to 6pm.Price Free entry  

April Gourmet

Photo: April Gourmet/Youwuku.cn

Imported turkeys from Chile are sold here and can be bought either raw or cooked. Buy it raw at 68RMB/kg or order it cooked for 165RMB/kg, which includes cranberry sauce, apple pie, garlic bread and small potatoes.

Boucherie Michel

This French butcher near Sanlitun can satisfy even the most ambitious cook. Pay 75RMB/kg for an imported pre-cooked American turkey or 118RMB/kg for cooked turkeys, which includes gravy and stuffing. For those who just can't be bothered coming out in the cold, Boucherie Michel also delivers, but you'll need to place your orders at least three to five days ahead. 

Schindler's German Food Center

This German food centre stocks almost everything you could need for your kitchen come holiday season. For Thanksgiving, grab a pre-cooked American Norbest turkey (78RMB/kg) or go local with a Chinese turkey (58RMB/kg). The popular German centre also serves roasted turkey (880RMB/kg) which comes with salad and stuffing. Call up their Liangmaqiao branch (6591 9375) or their Shunyi branch (135 2225 5868) to book your orders. Unfortunately, delivery isn't available.For addresses and more information,click Read MoreMORE FROM TIME OUT FAMILYLooking for a hotel near the airport? Check out Cordis Beijing5 amazing indoor pools for your serious swimmers