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Free
Christmas Charity Bazaar for Couleurs de Chine, Nov 29
All ages. Come experience some Italian culture while also helping to raise money for a worthy cause. The Italian Cultural Institute will be hosting a charity bazaar to raise money for vulnerable children at Great Mao Mountains. Free. 10am-5pm. Italian Cultural Institute.
Women’s Only Self Defense Classes, Nov 25 to Dec 10
Ages 6+. November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women so from Nov. 25th until Dec. 10th, the Beijing American Center will be celebrating 16 days against gender-based violence with women’s only self-defense classes. Free. 6.30-8.30pm. East Gate of the US Embassy.
Open House at La Maison Montessori de Pékin, Dec 3
All ages. The French-Chinese Montessori kindergarten for 2-6 years old, La Maison Montessori de Pékin will hold open day on Saturday December 3, from 10am to 1pm. The event will include a school visit, Montessori education introduction, meeting the teachers, and activities for children. Free. 10am-1pm. La Maison Montessori de Pékin.
Star Kids Book Fair at BSB Shunyi, Nov 30 – Dec 2
All ages. Adults and kids can increase their libraries or buy loved ones gifts at the Star Kids Book Fair at the BSB Shunyi foyer. The new titles and popular authors will be available for immediate purchase. This will take place from November 30 to December 2. Free admittance. 9am-4pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi. (8047 3588 www.bsbshunyi.com)
BCIS and MCF Christmas Charity Bazaar, Dec 3
All ages. This joint bazaar between BCIS and Migrants Children’s Family is a fundraising event for MCF that features live performances, shopping, food, and mingling with friends and the wider BCIS and MCF community at the main BCIS campus. Free. 11am-3pm. Beijing City International School. (Zhuofei.yang@bcis.cn)
WAB Charity Bazaar, Dec 3
All ages. The Western Academy of Beijing’s Charity Bazaar features hundreds of vendors offering homemade gifts, holiday food and drink, and dozens of unique items for sale. Proceeds from the event will go to assist several charity organizations, including the Chi Heng Foundation, supporting HIV-affected children in rural China through education. Free. 10am-3.30pm. Western Academy of Beijing. (5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu)
Hilton Beijing Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Charity Bazaar, Dec 3
All ages. Hilton Beijing once again celebrates the holidays with its Traditional European Christmas Train & Village from December 3 to January 2017. The Christmas Village features a Giant Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and a children’s chorus from 5.50-6.30pm. There will also be over 70 bazaar booths (2-8pm) with all proceeds from sales going to support the Morning Tears Organization. Free. 2-8pm. Hilton Beijing. (jane.yin@hilton.com)
The Hutong Winter Fayre, Dec 10
All ages. This fayre brings food and artisanal products to the hutongs for a spot of shopping. There a wide selection of different goods on sale. Free. 11am-4pm. The Hutong. (159 0104 6127, info@thehutong.com)
Christmas Tree Lighting @ Langham Place, Dec 2
All ages. Join Langham Place guests and staff in ringing in the Christmas cheer with their annual Christmas tree lighting. There will be food, drinks, and a raffle! Free. 6-9pm. Langham Place. (6450 4202).
Integrating Technology with Education, Dec 1
Adults. Parents won’t want to miss the Yew Chung International School of Beijing’s (YCIS Beijing) Open Day on December 1. This Open Day presents a unique opportunity for parents to learn how technology can be effectively utilized in schools and at home as well as the undeniable benefits that these tools provide. Free. Begins at 9.30am. YCIS Beijing. (8583 3731).
Unique
Viva Beijing’s Christmas Gathering & Cookie Making, Nov 29
Adults. Celebrate the winter holidays with Viva Beijing Network’s annual Christmas gathering! There will be appetizers, drinks, and cookies on cookies to decorate and take home. RMB 180. 6.30-9.30pm. Lily American Diner.
CISCA Annual Gala, Dec 3 to Dec 4
All ages. This year The Conservatory of International Style and Cultural Arts will be performing Sleeping Beauty. The night will be full of wonder and one that will be sure to remember. Free. 4.30-7.30pm. The Conservatory of International Style and Cultural Arts.
Startup Grind Beijing, Nov 30
Adults. Founded in Silicon Valley, Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting 400,000 founders in over 200 cities. To celebrate their return in Beijing, Startup Grind has prepared one big and fun event with delicious food, drinks, and food in technology at the Hatchery. RMB 150. 6.30-9.30pm. The Hatchery. (info@jingjobs.com)
A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedy, Dec 2-8
All ages. This is not your grandmother’s A Christmas Carol. Be prepared for a zany twist on a classic story. Beijing Playhouse also invites audience member to cheer, boo, hiss and sing along as Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, a crazy man in a dress, and the Ghosts teach Scrooge the true meaning of Christmas. RMB 210 (Adults) and RMB 140 (kids and students). 7.30-9.30pm. 77 Theater, C&C Creative Park. Register here.
JZ Atelier Children Class-Bejeweled Christmas Ornaments Workshop, Dec 4
Ages 6+. This year let the children lead the way, JZ Atelier is proudly present a three weeks of special featured Christmas bejeweled ornaments making workshops. Children will make their own Christmas ornaments, wreath in their own term. RMB 990 for 3 sessions. 10am-Noon. LaiTai Flower Market. (182 1063 4921, WeChat: suttech)
Handel’s Messiah Performance, Dec 3
Ages 7+. For the 14th year running, International Festival Chorus and Peking Sinfonietta continue their annual tradition of performing Handel’s Messiah. This year’s concert will benefit Future Forest,a charity tasked with planting trees in Inner Mongolia’s Kubuqi desert to stabilize the sands and improve the local ecosystem. With every two tickets sold, one tree will be planted during next year’s expeditions. RMB 280-380. Harrow International School of Beijing. (For group tickets contact: tickets@beijingifc.org; buy tickets here).
Ongoing
Art Jamming with Eva, Saturdays
All ages. Come join kids, families, and Eva and paint your heart out every Saturday. Paint supplies are included in this pleasant Saturday afternoon activity. RMB 100. 2-3pm and 3-4pm. Fella’s.
Active Parenting Workshops: Primary School, Mondays
Adults. Parents of Primary School-aged students are invited to attend Active Parenting Workshops every Monday from October 24 through November 28 at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing). Parents will learn a set of techniques to help their child develop their human potential. Free. 10am-Noon. YCIS Beijing. (8583 3731).
Active Parenting Workshops: Secondary School, Tuesdays
Adults. Active Parenting uses entertaining and informative programs, activities, and discussion to show parents ways to raise responsible, cooperative children who are able to resist negative peer pressure. These workshops will run from October 25 through November. Free. 10am-Noon. YCIS Beijing. (8583 3731).
Best of Next Week
Morning Tears at the 2016 Winter Ball, Dec 10
Adults. Morning Tears China strives to ensure that the rights of the child are available to all children of convicts, and to enable these children to grow up in dignity and develop their full potential. RMB 650. 6.30-10.30pm. Hilton Beijing Infinity Ballroom.
Hope International School Christmas Concert, Dec 9
All ages. This show is a great opportunity for our students to perform and for the community to come together and have a good time. All proceeds will go to the expansion of the music department. RBM 50-120. 7-8.30pm. Hope International School. (wood.kaliyah@hopeintlschool.org)
A Dulwich Christmas, Dec 13
All ages. Join in DCB’s annual Christmas time festivities that features Christmas themed gifts and trinkets on sale, Christmas foods including carved turkey, smoked ham, minced pied, fruit cake, apple cider, mulled wine, and more. This year’s celebrations will also include traditional Christmas carols by candlelight for all to join in. Free. 3-8pm. Dulwich College Beijing. (6454 9068, Flora.Zhang@dulwich-beijing.cn)
Photos: The Beijing Playhouse (Zhang Xi), Ulrich Dregler, Kati, Gerhard Gellinger