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Featured Events This Week
Young Professionals Interchamber Holiday Mixer, Dec 13
All ages. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to develop your professional network over a cold beer. Meet up with old friends, make new contacts, exchange information, and meet chamber members from different countries. All young professionals, students, and interns are welcome to join. RMB 100 (includes two drinks and canapes). 6-9pm. Mesh Bar. Contact https://amcham.eventbank.cn/event/13284/ or mliu@amchamchina.org to register.
BenCham Christmas Party, Dec 14
All ages. BenCham announces that this year’s Christmas gathering will take place at the Bulgari Hotel. There will be free flow drinks and a variety of festive-themed canapés. Of course, Christmas music will accompany us throughout this soirée. A Lucky Draw with amazing prizes will be held, and guests will also enjoy a special Christmas sale from Sennheiser. RMB 300 (members) RMB 350 (non-members). 6.30-9.30pm. Bulgari Hotel. Contact brecht@bencham.org or 131 2698 3928 for more information.
Kooza: Cirque De Soleil in Beijing, Dec 15
All ages. A return to their origins, KOOZA combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition, and power. The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with comic characters from an electrifying world full of surprises, thrills, audacity and total involvement. RMB 280-1,980. 7.30-9.30pm. Chaoyang Park. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza
ICVS “Departing from China with Pets” FREE Information Session, Dec 16
Adults. Come join the experts from ICVS as they share step-by-step instructions on the latest exit process for 2017/2018, airline winter blackout periods and breed travel restrictions, microchipping, vaccinations, rabies antibody titre testing and other requirements to help you prepare for a smooth departure from China and an easy entry to your next destination country. Free. 11am-12.30pm. International Center for Veterinary Services. (8456 1939/8456 1940, reception@ICVSASIA.com)
First Aid Training for Ayi & Parents, Dec 16
Adults. OASIS First Aid Training for Ayi and Parents is a one-day certified training in Pediatric first aid. The training will be presented in both Chinese and English with theory and practical training. Course content covers the basics of first aid and CPR, learning about first aid kits, prevention and treatment of medical emergencies such as fever, choking and serious illnesses such as meningitis, as well as injury due to accidents like falling, drowning, burns, management of bleeding and outdoor emergencies such as, bites and stings, heat stroke and more. RMB 300. 9am-noon. Contact katja.kinnunen@oasishealth.cn or ulla@oasishealth.cn for registration.
Next Week’s Best
CK Treasure Trove, Dec 23-24
All ages. Join the CK Treasure Trove vendors for a hugely Christmassy market! With lots of festive food, drink, gifts, and kids’ activities provided by over 40 vendors, you’ll find everything you need to get into the Christmas spirit – and buy some last-minute gifts. Many vendors ranging from Phoenix Design (ceramics), Liuba Draws (Beijing-inspired art), and the CK Culture Boutique (Chinese cultural gifts) will also be offering special holiday deals as well! Be ready for a merry day of holiday commerce. Free. Noon-7pm. Yongli Mall.
Workshop: Become a Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Dec 23-25
Adults. Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way provides a step-by-step approach to starting and leading experientially based parenting groups. This program, covered over the course of a three-day workshop with international trainer Carol Dores, emphasizes experiential activities that reach the heart to inspire deeper understanding and change, equipping parents with a fun and effective way for them to get specific help with real problems. RMB 5,800. 9am-5pm. Hello Future. (152 1060 0619, zhangpan@hellofuture.com.cn )
Christmas at the Great Wall, Dec 24-25
All ages. Come out to the Great Wall at Mutianyu for a White Christmas and enjoy their annual Christmas Eve Dinner with live jazz. Later in the evening, everyone is welcome to join for caroling and hot chocolate in the lodge by their cozy wood burning fireplace. On Christmas Day, the festivities continue with their live jazz Christmas supper. Let the kids make cookies under supervision in the kitchen while the grown-ups sit back with something hot by the fire. Whenever you’re ready, sit down to a country Christmas supper served just to you. RMB 268 (adults), RMB 138 (4-18), free (under 4). The Brickyard Retreat Center. Go to https://yoopay.cn/event/christmaseve2017 and https://yoopay.cn/event/christmasday2017 for bookings.
Fun for Family
Charity Reader’s Theatre: Miracle on 34th Street, Dec 16
All ages. Miracle on 34th Street–a heartwarming Christmas story for the whole family. Like all CRT productions, the two-act play is performed without a set and the actors mime their actions without the use of props. Proceeds from the production benefit the Yuanzhong Gender Development Center. RMB 100. 7.30-9.30pm. International School of Beijing. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit: http://www.beijingplayhouse.com/CRT.php/
Israel Art and Culture Festival, until Dec 26
All ages. IsCham and FROOTS Gallery join together to co-host this month-long Israel Culture Festival atBeijing Israeli Business and Cultural Center (IBCC)·FROOTS Gallery. A series of events throughout this month will allow attendees to experience the charm and beauty of Israel. 10am-9pm. Israeli Business and Cultural Center. Follow WeChat IsCham_Beijing for more information.
Seasonal Festival Family Package at Hilton Beijing Capital Airport, Until Dec 31
All ages. Come to enjoy a sumptuous Sunday brunch with kid-friendly buffet station and tableware at 360° restaurant, featuring fresh seafood, lobster, roasted salmon, mouth-watering desserts, and around-the-world specialties along with a wide choice of imported wines and champagne. Roof-top swimming pool, traditional Thai Spa might be the perfect for parents retreat themselves as well. RMB 1,395 net (2 adults and 1 child under 6), including one-night room stay and above activities. Starts from 2pm. Hilton Beijing Capital Airport. (6450 4747 for weekdays, 156 1197 9131 for weekends and holidays for reservations)
Parade of Penguins at Indigo’s Christmas Castle, until Jan 2, 2018
All ages. This year the Indigo winter garden will be transformed for our annual Christmas tree lighting event, featuring a magnificent Christmas Castle ruled over by the lovely penguin duke. There will be many fun games and activities in the castle for all to enjoy this Christmas. Make a special Christmas wish as you slide down the magic castle slide, and see if the penguin duke grants your wish. Indigo. Check the website for more information.
Fun for Kids
Ideas Winter Camp, stars from Dec 17
Ages 7-17. The Ideas School hosts a week-long winter camp. Kids 7-10 can stage a Broadway musical or learn more about science and math in a STEM Workshop. 11-14 year olds can choose between a Youth MBA program or a Design Thinking Workshop, while those aged 15 to 17 can try the Design Thinking Workshop or polish their rhetorical skills with Public Speaking and Essay Writing. Camps run for 14 days in two sessions. All day. For more information or to reserve, visit: http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-tPvWxFfrdzf8HqdJHzVAQ
Sports Beijing Winter Camp, Dec 18
Ages 7-15. This winter, Sports Beijing will be running a 5-day Winter Holiday Camp at the elementary school gym of the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), offering the chance for your kids to train their skills in either Basketball led by Sports Beijing Gymnastics manager Sarah Yang, or Gymnastics led by SBBC basketball coach Aaron Yang, in a fun and friendly environment. RMB 1,900 (non-SBJ members), RMB 1,700 (SBJ members), 10 percent sibling discount available for both SBJ and non-SBJ members. 9.30am-noon. WAB. For registration, go to www.sportsbj.org/product-category/sports-camps/ (6430 1370, info@sportsbj.com)
2017 Christmas holiday Fablab workshops, starts from Dec 18
Aged 9+. Atelier Fablab offers two brand new workshops for the Christmas Holidays. Workshop 1: 3D printing workshop (DIY your Christmas present). Build your 3D printer from scratch and go back home with your new tool ! Workshop 2: Build your own electronic musical instrument. During this 5-half day workshop, student will imagine their own original instrument and learn basis of electronics and coding applied to musical creation.This workshop is a mix between coding, experimentation and construction. 10am-4pm. Atelier Sanlitun. Follow WeChat Atelierartschool for more information.
Christmas-themed Activities
Get in the Christmas spirit with Moka Bros, Dec 16
All ages. Join the crew at Moka Bros for a family friendly day of Christmas festivities! Bring your kids along to this free Moka Bros event to get in the Christmas vibe full of unlimited Santa hats and other activities like Christmas tree decorating, gingerbread men making, and baubles designing. Swig down a mug of hot chocolate overloaded with cream! RMB 40 per child. 2-6pm. Moka Bros. (WeChat: torybenyon, 186 1408 4591)
Halo Hummus Christmas Launch Party, Dec 16
All ages. New start-up company Halo Hummus will be hosting its launch at The Hatchery! Halo Hummus offers a collection of fusion hummus’, made to order, using fresh and natural ingredients. Naturally low in fat and delicious. Added to each hand -prepared order is a Halo of robust and flavorsome toppings. Free. 2-6pm. Halo Hummus. Contact 185 0044 5258 or halohummus@gmail.com for more information.
Markets and Bazaars
Beijing Xmas Market on the Farm, Dec 16
All ages. The whole event will take place at the Rain & Sunshine Farm where they will have plenty of space for booths, entertainment and amazing Christmas decorations. They have all a kids program during the day including cookies baking, face painting, carols telling, singing, dancing, lantern painting. And as a special highlight, they will have the animals from the farm. For the adults they have about 50 booths with food, crafts and (non-)alcoholic beverages including mulled wine and more Christmas specialties. Both evenings they will conclude the event with a great firework. RMB 40-150. 10am-10pm. Rain, Dew, Sunshine Garden Farm. Go to https://yoopay.cn/event/59622573 book your reservation.
Farm to Neighbors Christmas Market, Dec 16-17
All ages. The much beloved monthly Farm to Neighbors Market is holding its annual Christmas Market on two different weekends: December 16-17 and 23-24, so there’s no excuse not to bring a couple of canvas totes and stop by for some organic veggies and more. Grab some healthy, fresh produce from local farms, artisanal edibles, homemade cheese, soaps, coffee and tea, eco-friendly gifts, handicrafts, and more. Free. Noon-6pm. Grand Summit.
Recurring Events
Prenatal Pilates, every Monday
Adults. Prenatal Pilates is a low impact pregnancy workout, involving a series of controlled movements mostly on an exercise mat. It is certainly a very effective workout during pregnancy as it targets the tummy and pelvic floor muscles which tend to weaken during pregnancy. Most Pilates exercises for pregnant women are performed on the hands and knees, which is an ideal position during pregnancy and takes stress off the back and pelvis, and position your baby ready for delivery. RMB 100 per class. 11am-noon. Adler Kliniken. Contact Sabina (WeChat ID: SabinaKirchherr) for more information.
Baby Care Learning Center for Older Brothers and Sisters, every Wednesday
All ages. For those moms preparing to have your second child, you are welcome to bring your first born to United Family Healthcare’s special Baby Care Training Boot Camp! You can relax while soon to be older brother or sister can have lots of fun learning how to help you when the new baby comes. Of course first-time parents and other family members can join in too. Camp attendees will learn skills like how to change diapers, correctly clothing and swaddling baby, and many other skills that will better prepare everyone in the family to assist you when baby arrives. Free. 11am-noon. Beijing United Family Hospital.
Kangaroo Tennis Club – Children Tennis Training, every Saturday
Kids 6+. Come to join Kangaroo Tennis Club for tennis training program, to enroll your children for weekends of fun, exercise, and social interaction. All tennis instructions are in English. RMB 960 (12-week course fees) 9am-9pm. Beijing Tennis Center. (Contact Stanley at 136 8115 7367)
Mental Health Peer Support Group, Bi-weekly
Adults. CandleX hosts a international community based Support Group where people can go and share openly in a confidential setting. It is for anyone who has a mental health condition, is stressed and/or is having a hard time in both personal and professional settings. This is a project provided by CandleX, an NGO in Beijing that focuses on the mental health by awareness raising on depression and bi-polar disorder. This is a continuing effort to provide more support to our Beijing English speaking community. Free. 7.30-9.30pm. U-Town Shopping Center. Check https://sojump.com/jq/13246056.aspx for registration.
School Fair
2018 Beijing International School Expo, Jan 13-14
All ages. The 2018 Beijing International School Expo (BISE), hosted by beijingkids and Jingkids, provides an annual platform for parents, school leaders, teachers, and other educators to discover current trends in education and get a chance to meet and converse with many other schools located in Beijing. Free. Starts from 10am. Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel. Contact Jingkids 5941 3140 and beijingkids 5941 5379 for any questions about the event. Register at https://www.bagevent.com/event/860285.
Photo: Pixabay, Beijingplayhouse
