Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to webeditor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat ID or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.
Featured Events This Month
YCIS Beijing Open Day: Understanding the Bilingual Child, Dec 7
All ages. Join YCIS Beijing’s Open Day to discover more about how you can be a partner in your child’s bilingual journey. There will be a panel discussion, made up of both expert educators and parents, who will share tips and techniques to improve your child’s bilingual learning. Free. 9-11:30am. Yew Chung International School of Beijing. (8585 1825/info@bj.ycef.com) Go to https://yoopay.cn/event/89831357 to book your reservation.
Roundabout Charity Concert, Dec 8
All ages. Part of a collaboration among Beijing’s international school choirs, Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) will host a charity concert with a handful of amazing student singing groups and instrumental ensembles. Money raised from donations and admission will go directly to Roundabout. Free. 7-8pm. Western Academy of Beijing. (156 0035 3381, wabinfo@wab.edu)
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)
Fun for Family
ICVS “Christmas Party for Pets & Their People,” Dec 9
Kids 10+. ICVS is hosting a party for pets and their people! Bring the family and join in the fun for pets, owners, and pet lovers from the Beijing pet rescue community. Holiday treats, catered gourmet feast for pets, raffle prizes and fun for the whole family! Free. 2-5pm. International Center for Veterinary Services. (8456 1939/8456 1940, reception@ICVSASIA.com)
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
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, featured fresh seafood, lobster, roasted salmon, mouth-watering desserts, and world around 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 years old), include 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)
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)
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)
Markets and Bazaars
Riviera Xmas Market, Dec 9
All ages. There will be special Xmas food vendors, selling everything from mulled wine to Christmas cookies and chocolate, stollen (fruit cake), to punch. There will be also lots of activities for the kids to attend. Bubble football, gingerbread house-making, rock climbing, horse riding and more! Free. 11am-8pm. Ease Lake Garden. Contact Julia (WeChat ID chenshihhan) for more information.
BSB Christmas Fayre & German Market, Dec 9
All ages. Come and celebrate the festive seasons at The British School of Beijing Shunyi. There will be a traditional German Christmas market and a selection of hot food including wurst, roast pork, pretzels, waffles, hot chocolate, and gluhwein. Children can visit Santa and take part in games and activities. A variety of vendors will be selling items and handmade crafts that would make ideal Christmas gifts. Performances from school choirs and the lighting of the Christmas tree will add to the festive feel. Free. 4-8pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi Campus. (8047 3588, marketing@bsbshunyi.com)
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 to book your reservation.
CK Treasure Trove Last-Minute Christmas Market, Dec 23-24
All ages. Come buy delicious foods from merchants such as Bubba’s Pantry, Halo Hummus, Renschi Homemade South African Cuisine, Planet Choco and many more! Shop for unique gifts from Liuba Draws, Q-Space Silkscreeing, Open Siberia, CK Culture Boutique and many more! There will be a face-painter and Elna from Q-Space and Liuba from Liuba Draws will also be hosting activities for the kids! Free. Noon-7pm. Cultural Keys. (186 1155 8781, events@culturalkeys.cn)
Christmas-themed Activities
Atelier Christmas Factory, Dec 10
All ages. Every year, Atelier opens its doors to the public for an afternoon of arty-crafty activities, hot wine, and French crêpes. Join them for 3 hours of fun, creativity, discover their students’ works, and meet their teachers. Free. 3-6pm. Atelier. Add WeChat ID atelier-apas to register with Atelier Sanlitun and WeChat ID ateliershunyi to register with Atelier Shunyi.
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)
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.
Feed Your Mind
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)
Walking Tours
Forbidden City Tour, Dec 31
All ages. This unique tour brings the ceremony, pomp and intrigue of Beijing’s Imperial Palace back to life. Combining carefully researched information about how and why it was constructed, with shocking anecdotes about the 24 men to whom it belonged, this tour will help you realize how eccentric and unworldly ancient palace life really was. RMB 290 (adults); RMB 220 (kids under 14); includes native English speaking guide and all entry tickets. 1.30-3.30pm. Go to http://www.newmantours.com/beijing/forbidden-city-tour for more information. (138 1777 0229, info@newmantours.com
Photos: Pixabay
