This year, the weather gods have decided to grace us with a white (well, somewhat gray) Christmas. But far be it from us to look a gift horse in the mouth, so here’s a merry roundup of holiday events and activities to take you through to the New Year. Happy holidays!
Dec 21-22
Christmas at Dreamaker’s Christmas Village
Ages 4-6. Drop by Dreamaker’s new studio in Wangjing for arts and crafts, Christmas carols, a gift exchange, movies, seasonal desserts, and other surprises. RSVP required. RMB 60/ person, free for Dreamaker students. 2-4pm. Dreamaker (150 1101 1742, jenniferfa@dreamaker.com.cn)
Dec 21-25
Photos with Santa at Parkview Green
All ages. During the holidays, Santa and his reindeer will make regular appearances at Parkview Green to take photos with the kids. Free. 3-5pm, 6-8pm. Parkview Green
Dec 22- 23
Snow White
Ages 4+. There’s still time to catch Beijing Playhouse’s pantomime staging of Snow White! This classic fairy tale gets an edgy makeover, with cross-dressing magic mirrors, Gangnam Style-dancing dwarves, and a fabulously saucy evil queen. RMB 260 advance, RMB 300 at the door; RMB 130 students and kids advance, RMB 150 students and kids at the door. 2-4pm. National Olympic Sports Center Theater (performance@beijingplayhouse.com)
Traditional Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea
Approx. up to age 12. This classic Ritz-Carlton event gets a Christmas makeover with holiday-themed treats, fun activities, and a surprise gift for all the kids. RMB 288/child, RMB 388/adult. 2.30-5.30pm. Ritz-Carlton, Beijing (5908 8888)
Dec 22
Christmas Culture Trip
All ages. Decorate a Christmas tree with the kids, make festive ornaments, eat cookies, play board games, listen to the story of the Gingerbread Man, and meet Santa Claus in person. There’s even a violin quartet for all the grown-ups! RMB 698/person. 3-10pm. Kara Kitchen (1391 021 1584 Wendy, xmas2012bj@yahoo.com)
Sunny High-Scope Christmas Party
All ages. Community members from international kindergarten Sunny High-Scope gather for the school’s annual Christmas party, with songs, games, and tasty treats. Free. 10am-noon. Sunny Kids Garden International Kindergarten (8476 5353, 138 1070 7354)
Dec 23 and 25
Christmas Festive Brunches at Hilton Beijing Capital Airport
All ages. Expect all the usual Sunday brunch favorites, plus Christmas specials like turkey, Christmas pudding, glazed ham, mince pies, stollen, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. RMB 338/person (add RMB 60 for wine, beer, and champagne), RMB 160 for ages 6-12, free for kids under 5. 11.30am-3pm. Hilton Beijing Capital Airport (6458 8888)
Dec 23-24
Kempinski Tree Lighting Ceremony
All ages. Watch as Kempinski Hotel lights up its huge, authentic Christmas tree. Sip on free mulled wine, eat Christmas stollen, and watch a children’s choir perform holiday carols in the lobby. Free. 6-7pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388)
Dec 23, 24, and 31
Advent Sunday at Lobby Lounge
All ages. Warm up with Lobby Lounge’s Christmas-themed afternoon tea, with stollen, cookies, gingerbread, and more. RMB 458. 2.30-6pm. China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 33)
Dec 24
Barolo Christmas Eve Set Dinner
All ages. Chef Gianluca presents a five-course Italian dinner with a glass of welcome champagne. RMB 1,388/person. 6-10.30pm. Barolo (5908 8888)
Buon Natale at Trattoria La Gondola
All ages. This Italian-style Christmas features a four-course set menu with free-flow Italian red, white, and sparkling wines, and a lucky draw. RMB 1,188/person, half price for ages 6-12. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)
Christmas Eve Dinner at The Schoolhouse
All ages. Listen to live jazz as you celebrate Christmas with hot spiced cider, spiced wine, roasted chestnuts, goodies for the kids, a full Christmas spread, caroling, and more. RMB 240/adult, RMB 90 for ages 4-12, free for kids under 4. 7-10pm. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (6162 6506)
Christmas Eve Dinner Dance
For adults. Featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet, this event will give grownups the chance to dance and socialize for Christmas. RSVP required. RMB 265/person. 7-9pm. Sino-Chu (186 0013 9050, hngigroup@gmail.com)
Christmas Eve Gala Party
All ages. The Jade Ballroom plays host to a Christmas banquet with lobster, oysters, turkey, rib of beef, and lots of entertainment. RMB 1,988/person, half price for ages 6-12; RMB 22,880 for a table of 12. 6-11pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)
Christmas Eve Service at COGS
All ages. The Congregation of the Good Shepherd is holding a Christmas Eve service for all expat Christians. Free. 7-8pm. COGS (cogs@fastmail.fm)
Christmas Fantasy Revelry
All ages. The Westin Beijing Financial Street’s Treasury Ballroom is transformed into a fantasy land with a seafood display on ice, roast turkey, and festive treats. Plus, win raffles prizes. Premium Seats: RMB 3,588 (adult), RMB 2,088 (child); General Seats: RMB 3,188 (adult), RMB 1,888 (child). 6.30-10.30pm. Westin Beijing Financial Street (6606 8866)
Kranzler’s Christmas Eve
All ages. Kranzler’s features a buffet, free-flow alcohol, and a house jazz band. RMB 768/adult, half price for ages 6-12. 6-11pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)
Heilig Abend at Paulaner Bräuhaus
All ages. Experience a Bavarian-style Christmas with roast goose and duck, appetizers, live music, and a lucky draw. RMB 1,188/person. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)
New York Harlem Singers Christmas Concert
Ages 10+. For something a bit different, get into the Christmas spirit with a concert that blends African-American spiritual music, pop, jazz, funk, and opera. RMB 240-380. 7.30pm. National Centre for the Performing Arts (sales@theatrebeijing.com)
Traditional Christmas Eve at Scene a Cafe
All ages. Expect a Christmas choir, Santa Claus, a lucky draw, and a magic show, plus a buffet theater with eight “scenes,” and more. RMB 988. 5.30-10.30pm. China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 33)
Dec 24-25
A Capital Christmas
All ages. Capital M’s Christmas specials feature chestnuts, turkey, goose, mince pies, Christmas crackers, caroling, mulled wine, apple cider, gifts for the kids, movies, and more. RMB 588. Noon-10pm. Capital M (6702 2727)
Christmas Celebrations at Raffles
All ages. Raffles Hotel Beijing is hosting a number of Christmas celebrations at Jaan, East 33, and the Jewel Ballroom. RMB 428-2,688. Noon-9pm. Raffles Hotel Beijing (foodbeverage.rbh@raffles.com)
Dec 25
Christmas Day by the Great Wall
All ages. Couldn’t make it for The Schoolhouse’s Christmas Eve event? Go for Christms Day instead. Kids can join a Christmas cookie workshop while adults kick back for some fireside jazz. RMB 240/adult, RMB 120 for ages 4-12, free for kids under 4. 11am-8pm. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (6162 6506)
Christmas Day Family Brunch
All ages. The Kempinski’s Christmas Day spread features live lobster, foie gras, American turkey, and European desserts. RMB 558/person, half price for ages 6-12. 11.30am-3pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4222)
Christmas Day Family Brunch at The St. Regis
All ages. The St. Regis’ holiday menu includes seafood, roast turkey, glazed ham, roast beef, Christmas pudding, and more. RSVP required. RMB 488, RMB 588 (with free-flow champagne). 11.30am-3pm. The St. Regis Beijing (6460 6688 ext. 2340/1)
Christmas Dinner at Black Sesame Kitchen
All ages. BSK’s Christmas dining event includes a 10-course menu and a demonstration by the venue’s very own Chef Zhang. RMB 500. 7-10pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (136 9147 4408)
Until Jan 4
Christmas Holiday Art Workshops at Atelier
Ages 6-10. Staying in Beijing for the holidays? Atelier will have a variety of Christmas art workshops using different materials and techniques: drawing, collage, paper cutting, textiles, and more. Kids will make garlands, wreaths, greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, stockings, and even candles. Prices vary. 9.30-11.30am. Atelier (6416 1614, contact@atelier.cn.com)
Until Jan 5
Christmas Handicraft and Pottery DIY Workshop
Ages 3-10. Parents and kids can work together to make Christmas crafts like Play-Doh Christmas trees, cardboard roll Santas and reindeer, paper cutouts, and snowmen. RMB 100. 10am-5pm. i3 Art Studio (8591 3294, 130 4123 8445)
Photo by makelessnoise (Flickr)
