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. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Spring into Summer: School Fairs in the City

Fangcaodi International School Spring Fair, May 5
All ages. The annual Fangcaodi International School Spring Fair is a great opportunity to promote your products and services to over 1,200 expat families. Besides the 120 booths, they will also arrange play areas, a culture expo, performances on the main stage, and lucky draw. Free. 10am-3pm. Fangcaodi International School Ritan Campus (132 6197 0093; fcdipta@qq.com)

Spring in the City: The World of Colors, May 5
All ages. Make sure to check out Beijing City International School’s 13th annual Spring in the City. The theme this year is, “The World of Colors,” decided upon with the help of Grade 2 students and teachers. There will be stalls selling a wide variety of goods and delicious foods, family games for everyone, raffle prizes, and live performances from their students and teachers. Free. 11am-3pm. Beijing City International School (8771 7171; bciscommunications@bcis.cn)

YCIS Beijing Global Community Day 2018, May 12
All ages. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS) invites everyone to their 10th annual Global Community Day. This year marks Yew Chung Education Foundation’s 85th anniversary with Global Community Day celebrating the foundation’s history and diverse community. The event features delicious food, performances, games, creative activities, art demonstrations, and much more, with all proceeds donated to charity. Free. 10am-3pm. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (8585 1857; jessica.franklin@bj.ycef.com).

Dulwich College Beijing Founder’s Day, May 12
All ages. Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) Founder’s Day 2018 is a celebration of who they are as a community and everything they value as a school. It is DCB’s biggest community event of the year with highlights like family-friendly activities, international food stalls, and live musical entertainment on the main stage. Everybody is welcome to join. Free. 3-9pm. Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9000; admissions@dulwich-beijing.cn).

3e Charity Community Day, May 12
All ages. 3e International School and Roundabout welcome everyone to the annual 3e Charity Community Day. Come to find bargain treasures and entertain the family with games and activities!  Families are invited to sell well maintained second-hand goods: toys, books, and other household items. Families and vendors can book a table for RMB 100 (the fee will be donated to Roundabout). Browse hundreds of books on sale at the Roundabout Book Fair section. Families can also bring along unwanted items to donate directly to Roundabout. Free. 10am-noon. 3e International School (6437 3344; community@3einternationalschool.org).

Jazz in the Park & Identity Film Festival, May 18
All ages. Make your way to Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) for a jazz music festival featuring student, staff, and professional bands! There will be plenty of activities going on while you tap your toes to all of the live music going on. Bring along your picnic blanket and settle in under the stars as the silver screen lights up with films made by Beijing’s best international school student directors, producers, and actors. Free. 7-9pm. WAB (5986 5588; wabinfo@wab.edu).

Rock in the Park & WAB Fun Fair, May 19
All ages. Join the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) community at the biggest outdoor event of the school year! The WAB Fun Fair features games, water attractions, and activities for the little ones, while Rock in the Park is an all-day music festival for everyone! Rock out on the WAB campus while enjoying food and drinks from your favorite Beijing vendors, as well as booths from dozens of local businesses and organizations. Free. 9am-5pm. Western Academy of Beijing (wabinfo@wab.edu; kjiao@wab.edu).

BIBA Family Fair, May 19
All ages. Come and join in on the fun happening at Beijing International Bilingual Academy’s (BIBA) 2018 Family Fair. Open to the public to enjoy games, shopping, food, student performances, and a day of fun that’s suitable for the whole family. Free. 9.30am-3.30pm. Beijing International Bilingual Academy (8041 0390; adam@bibachina.org).

ISB Spring Fair 2018, May 19
All ages. The annual International School of Beijing (ISB) Spring Fair is a community event and expat fair full of games, raffles, shopping, and food. Pulled together by Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) volunteers, more than 5,000 visitors will attend the event and over 200 sponsors and vendors are slated to participate. The Spring Fair offers child-friendly carnival games, shopping with unique and artisan vendors, grand prize raffle draws, delicious food from a wide variety of Beijing and international cuisines, and of course, live entertainment. Free. 10am-5pm. International School of Beijing (springfair@isb.bj.edu.cn).

Unity Day at Daystar Academy, May 19
All ages. This year’s Unity Day, hosted by Ivy Education Group, promises to be its most celebrated one yet! Highlights include a marquis performance by Yale University’s all gender a cappella group the Redhot & Blue, Beijing’s award-winning soul/funk/R&B band Tavey Lean & the Solid Gold Dream Machine, bouncy castles, activity booths, delicious food, and much more! Free. 3-8pm. Daystar Academy (8446 4189 ext. 817; Lindsay.bian@ivygroup.org).

Hyde Academy Clean & Green Spring Fair, May 26
All ages. Hyde Academy is looking forward to its annual Spring Fair. Students, parents, and artists in the community are working hard to create a celebration of arts, music, and the environment this year, with a great collection of crafts, treats, and games to entertain and inform visitors. Free. 10am-2pm. Hyde Academy (8046 7085; sharon.shao@hyde-education.com).

Annual Keystone Carnival, May 26
All ages. The Carnival will offer a variety of activities and games for children ages 3-18, and a vibrant marketplace offering a selection of stores, food stalls, and promo booths. They aim to bring Keystone students and families along with the extended Shunyi and Beijing communities together, for a fun-filled day in the sun. The festivities will conclude with a lucky draw and an outdoor concert in the center of the marketplace starting early in the evening. Free. 3-9pm. Keystone Academy (8049 6008 ext. 3403; Carnival.vendors@keystoneacademy.cn).

Fun for the Family

Music Under the Stars Musical Series at Daystar Academy, May 15 and 22
All ages. Ivy Education Group presents the sounds of an all-cello rock ensemble, the Low Strung from Yale University. Hear up close and personal insights from Yale students, along with their recommendations and takeaways from life at Yale, followed by a performance from the all gender a cappella group the Redhot & Blue (May 22, 6.30-8.30pm). RMB 60-100. Daystar Academy (8446 4189 ext. 817, Lindsay.bian@ivygroup.org).

Stage: The Curious Incident of the Dog in Nighttime, May 24-27
All ages. England’s National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in Nighttime comes to the stage at the Tianqiao Theatre. Based on the novel by Mark Haddon, the play follows a young detective, 15-year-old Christopher, who describes himself as “a mathematician with some behavioral difficulties” as he investigates the death of a dog. RMB 99-2,076. 7.30-9.30pm. Tianqiao Theatre (8315 6170).

The True Cost Documentary Screening, May 24
Adults. The Beijing Clothing Auction Network, Live With Less, and The Bulk House are hosting a screening of The True Cost, a documentary film about clothing. Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the world’s leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth, and Vandana Shiva, The True Cost is a project that invites us on an eye opening journey around the world and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes. RMB 60, RMB 40 (advance). 7-9pm. The Bookworm (130 7116 2353).

Workshops and Markets

Family Workshop: Make the Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day, May 6-13
All ages. Atelier will present two family workshops in honor of Mother’s Day. They are: (1) handmade earrings on May 6 and (2) handmade hair pins/sticks on May 13. It is designed for one adult and one child. It will be a well-spent Sunday afternoon with art and fablab teachers helping you to design your trendy mom a nice piece of jewelry/hair decoration with love. RMB 400 for 1 camp, RMB 750 for two. 2-4.30 pm. Atelier Sanlitun (WeChat ID atelier_apas).

Jewelry Workshop with Suzhou Embroidery, May 13
Just in time to create something for Mother’s Day or for yourself. Come to The Local on Sunday, May 13 to create your own brooch or bracelet with Suzhou Embroidery. Use handmade Suzhou embroidery techniques and beading to find your awesome inspiration. Classes are bilingual, all materials are included, but you’re invited to bring any old jewelry pieces that you may be able to incorporate into your design. RMB 358 (RMB 298 for early birds). 11am-5pm. The Local (158 1071 3743; mr_j.c.zhang@hotmail.com).

Tea Talk-Understanding and Helping Children with Anxiety, May 18
Adults. 3e International School’s Tea Talk for May helps parents learn how to understand, support, and help their children grow to become emotionally resilient. Children growing up in the current environment continue to experience many daily pressures and may have difficulty dealing with or expressing their anxious feelings. This workshop will help parents identify when their children need support and help parents guide children through effective communication and tools for their life journey ahead. Presented by Dr Yun-Ju Wang, LIH Olivia’s Place Psychology consultant. Free. 9am-10:30am. 3e International School (community@3einternationalschool.org ).

Obido Book Fair at BSB Shunyi, May 7-11
All ages. There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned book fair to ignite a passion for reading. The Obido Book Fair is coming to The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB, Shunyi). Drop by to select books for all ages in both English and Chinese. Free. 8am-5pm. BSB Shunyi (8047 3588; marketing@bsbshunyi.com).

The Beijing Flea Market, May 12
Check out the Beijing Flea Market’s triumphant return. This time it will be popping up at the TechTemple in Sanlitun. The market will be bursting with vendors and unique treasures galore. With the usual commitment to locally-made food, drinks, crafts, indie design products, and art,  you’re guaranteed to leave with bags of goodies, a full stomach, and refreshed from a from a variety of fun refreshments. Free. 11am-5pm. TechTemple.

School Open Days

MSB Open House: Nursery to Grade 6, May 10 and 17
All ages. Meet MSB’s (the International Montessori School of Beijing) leadership team, talk to their faculty, discover their English and Dual Language Programs, tour their campus, visit their classrooms and have all your questions answered. Refreshments and snacks will also be served. Free. There will be two sessions on May 10: 9–11am and 1– 3pm; and one session on May 17: 9-11am. The International Montessori School of Beijing (admissions@msb.edu.cn).

YCIS Beijing Open Day, May 23
All ages. Come along to their Open Day on the Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS, Beijing) campus to meet their co-principals Noel Thomas and Christine Xu, and to learn more about their school’s education model. Parents will have the opportunity to see the changes that are happening all across their campus and visit their newly renovated Learning Communities. Free. 9-11am. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (8585 1857; jessica.franklin@bj.ycef.com).

Photos: courtesy of featured event organizers, Douban, This article appeared in beijingkids May 2018 issue