Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids’ social platforms!
Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. 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.
3e Tea Talk: Listen Smart, Talk Smart – Psychology to help become a Master Communicator, Oct 22
For Adults. This 3e International School workshop helps adults learn practical tips and principles to Listen Smart and Talk Smart and get others to listen to you. Find out the hidden secrets to help you maneuver through interpersonal communication within your family (parents, spouses, children) and professionally and become a master communicator.
Free. 9-10.30am. 3e International School.
BSB Shunyi Open Day, Oct 23
Foreign passport holders only. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) invites prospective parents see their school in action. Visit their Early Years, Primary, German Primary and Secondary classrooms to see teaching and learning taking place. Talk to their teachers about their enhanced English National Curriculum and IB Diploma Program. BSB Shunyi benefits from collaborations with organizations including MIT, The Juilliard School and UNICEF. Visit their new Early Years Playground, IB Centre, Secondary Library, Sports Dome and other great facilities.
Free. 9-11am. British School of Beijing, Shunyi.
House of Knowledge Open Day at Shunyi Campus, Oct 24
House of Knowledge (HoK) is holding Open Day events this month. This is the first Reggio Emilia kindergarten school in Beijing. Come to the event to learn about the Reggio Emilia approach through interactive activities, a teacher exhibition, student portfolios, classroom observations and more. Understand about how House of Knowledge’s Core Values are incorporated into daily teaching practices.
Free. 9.30-11.30am. House of Knowledge International School Chaoyang Park Campus.
The International Montessori School of Beijing Open House, Oct 25
The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) will be hosting an Open House. As families seek the best school for their child and family, MSB invites families to take the opportunity to truly get to know the school. MSB has a rich history of providing the expat community with access to a Montessori curriculum for 30 years. MSB has added two new programs this year; rich Montessori Middle School and an infant child-adult program, the Little MSBees.
Free. 9–11am. The International Montessori School of Beijing.
Magic Drama: One Starry Night & Out of the Blue, Oct 25, 26, 27
All ages. In this theater production, explore famous artworks and beautiful music while a young girl falls in love with art. During summer vacation a little girl named Lena goes to visit her grandpa. Grandpa is an artist who frequently gets lost in his paintings; he is so involved in his painting that he sometimes forgets Lena. Lena has no interest in painting and doesn’t use the painting set her grandpa got her. One night, while grandpa is sleeping, Lena gets lost in her own set of classical paintings. Guided by fireflies she gets on a boat and sails through the Starry Night created by Van Gogh and enters the magic gallery, where the paintings are brought to life.
RMB 280 – 480. Show start times vary, each show lasts 70 minutes. Super Theater.
British School of Beijing, Sanlitun Open House, Oct 26
Ages 1-10. Come and learn about The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun (BSB Sanlitun) at this open house event. Parents and children are invited to come and explore the school’s learning spaces and the high standards of teaching and care. Coffee will be provided while parents are given a chance to chat with teachers and staff who can answer questions about the school, curriculum, and approach to learning.
Free, registration needs. 10am – noon. British School of Beijing, Sanlitun Li Building.
Der Elefantenpups: Ein Tierischer Geheimplan, Oct 26
Ages 2+. Chinese. In this theater production a new animal joins the zoo, a young panda named Mei Yue. She suffers from intense homesickness and would do anything to return home to China. The zoo animals hatch a secret plan to cheer Mei Yue up. Come to the show to see what happens next!
RMB 120–480. 10.30am and 3.30pm. Art Center of the National Library.
Halloween Charity Party, Oct 26
All ages. Our Globe Foundation and De Miedo Events will be hosting a full day of spooky family fun and delicious Halloween food. There will be a costume fashion show, photo opportunities, games, a kids’ buffet, music, and contests, with all funds raised from the event going to the Angel Home Orphanage so they can pay their winter heating costs and education needs for the children. Additionally, if you make a jack o’lantern at home, you can bring it to the event and enter it into the RMB 300 prize best carving contest.
RMB 150 per child for early registration. 10am–8pm. Fella’s Club
Open House at Little Pace Preschool, Oct 26
Preschoolers and parents. Come and explore what is happening at Little Pace Preschool, a hutong Montessori preschool. This month they are hosting a tie-dye workshop for preschools and an opportunity to explore their education practices. Contact them for more information at WeChat: littlepace.
RMB 200 per child/ parent team. 10am. Little Pace Courtyard Preschool.
Beijing Flea Market, Oct 26
All ages. The Beijing Flea Market Autumn Edition is back! Come down and check out cool local vendors selling everything from clothing, crafts, and much, much more. There will be food vendors too, so come hungry. Help support local artists and artisans.
Free. Noon–6pm. Tech Temple (Sanlitun Branch)
Sister Circle: Small Group Therapy for Black Women, Oct 26
Aspire Counseling and Wellness Center know that black women face unique challenges while studying, working, and just living life. This can seem especially true while living abroad. All of these challenges can adversely affect mental health, but ACWC wants to help. They are offering a 6-week small group for black women to help address their unique needs while living in China. This group hosts 12 women on a first come, first serve basis and is run by Kindall C. Tyson, MED. LPC, NCC.
Adults. RMB 220 per session or RMB 1,200 for all 6 weeks upfront. Registration needed. 11am–12.30pm. Location will be given after signing up.
Xian Halloween Party, Oct 25 – 31
All Ages. Halloween isn’t just for the little ones; adults are also invited to dress in their best costumes for Xian’s Halloween Party to decor a pumpkin with multi-tool blades. Xian will be transformed into a mischievous playground. Special drinks and scary movies will available for you to experience a horrific night. For inquiries or reservations, please call +86 10 8414 9820.
Free. Same hours as the bar. Xian Bar.
French Musical: Le Rouge et le Noir – L’Opéra Rock, Oct 25 – 29
The internationally renowned historical psychological novel by Stendhal is being brought to the stage by L’Opera Rock. Le Rouge et Le Noir is a story of how a provincial young man tries to rise beyond his modest upbringing through a combination of talent, hard work and deception. But he ultimately allows his passions to betray him. With everything from love affairs to hypocrisy, this French musical is full of drama from start to finish.
RMB 280 – 780. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Beijing Century Theater.
Halloween Fun Feast at EAST, Oct 27
All Ages. The Spooktacular Halloween full-buffet brunch returns to Feast (Food by EAST), featuring a wide range of brunch favourites and delicious fresh seafood, with a special Halloween twist. Guests are encouraged to come dressed for the occasion wearing their spookiest outfits for a chance to win prizes in a Halloween costume contest – prizes will be awarded to both children and adults so everyone can join in the fun.
RMB 428. Kids 3 and under eat free, 4-12 eat for half price. 11.30am–3pm. Feast (Food by EAST).
Xian Haunted House, Oct 27
All Ages. This year, Xian presents “Scary Photo Studio” where the whole space will be completely transformed with Halloween decorations. All children daring to enter can play a range of games, whilst learning interesting facts along the way as they attempt to escape the studio. This event is free if you dine at Feast (Food by EAST) beforehand!
RMB 98, Free for guests dining at Feast on the same day. 1pm – 4pm. Xian.
Yoga in the Park, every Sunday now through Oct
Moka Bros and Taozi Tree Yoga brings Yoga in the Park 2019. For six years running people have been gathering in Chaoyang Park for a 1.5 hour long class. Advanced yogis and beginners are all welcome to this class; just bring a yoga mat and water. After the yoga class, hang out with the crew at Moka Bros and enjoy 15 percent off your lunch.
RMB 50. 9.30-11am. Chaoyang Park.
Intensive Photography Workshops, Now – October 30
National Geographic is offering intensive workshops for photography. These courses are offered at variety of dates and locations; please check the website for more details. Each class focuses on different techniques including Travel and Street, Product Shots, Light and Portrait, and Basic for Beginners.
RMB 750. 10am–1pm. 131 2470 7430. prissbaxter. www.prisscilabaxter.com.
Seasonal Hairy Crab at Park Hyatt Beijing, now – Oct 31
Crowned as the “King of Crabs”, hairy crabs are celebrated for their decadent roe and juicy meat. This autumn, at the peak of its harvest, savor the prized crustaceans prepared in the classic steamed way or in creative presentations. From September 23 2019 for a limited time only.
From RMB 128. Reservations & Hotel WeChat Shop: parkhyattbeijing. China Grill (8567 1098). Dining Room (8567 1795).
Xiaopu Village Street Market, Oct 26, every Saturday
Located in the artists’ community of Songzhuang, this is a more low-key market than some of the other alternatives around the city. This market is held on the street outside Chuzou Coffee and is easy to access by public transportation. This market is a great place to buy a range of local products such as pottery, leather wares, wooden sculptures, and paintings. We’re particularly fond of the great selection of secondhand items to be found here, available for bargain prices.
Free. 4-8pm. Chuzou Coffee Shop
Kayaking on the Most Beautiful River, every Sunday till Nov 18
Talk to the trip adviser to see if this trip is right for your family. Kayak down a beautiful river at Kayak Scenic Area on a Cultural Exchange Trip (CET). Spend the morning kayaking (don’t worry, lessons are included), have lunch, then an afternoon raft swimming and racing! Have an hour of free time to enjoy the scenic area however you want. Price includes round-trip bus, English-speaking guide, and the insurance fee. It does not include a Kayak fee (RMB 130) or raft swimming fee (RMB 30).
RMB 75. 7am. Fangshan district. Trip adviser Sunny 1030 7172 (English & Mandarin).
Spooky Dining with Hulu and Merci, Now – Nov 3
As someone who starts creating a Pinterest board with Halloween costume ideas six months in advance, I was thrilled to find out that there’s someone with a Halloween obsession to rival my own. Hulu’s owner and founder, Ignace Lecleir, has created the most extensive Halloween menu that’s kid-friendly and brings back those nostalgic childhood memories in grown-ups. The entire Halloween menu book – yeah, it’s that extensive – is available at both Hulu and Merci.
Daily from 11am-Midnight, S4-32 Taikoo Li, Sanlitun South, Chaoyang District, 6512 5701
Children’s Gymnastics at WAB, now to Dec 8
Ages 4+. Flips and Kicks Plus is offering classes for the international community in Beijing. This company provides gymnastics at a variety of locations. Give your child a chance to have fun and learn new skills while developing physical strength, coordination, and building self-esteem. These classes are taught in English.
RMB 1,540 for 11 beginner classes, RMB 1,760 for 11 advanced classes. Classes are offered on Fridays after school and Sunday mornings. Registration needed. Western Academy of Beijing.
New Street Dance Term at WAB, Sept 1 to Dec 12
All ages. Sunshine Studios provides street dance classes where children and adults can learn from one of the biggest dance studios in Europe. Classes are available for a wide range of ages and skill level, including adults, and are led by professionals who have danced with stars like Justin Bieber, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga.
Classes are every Wednesday, Thursday, and weekends at a variety of times. Western Academy of Beijing.
Farm to Neighbors, every Saturday and Sunday
Advocating a zero-waste lifestyle, Farm to Neighbors (F2N) market offers fresh local vegetables and fruits, Beijing-made cheeses, bread, cookies, and numerous other delicious goodies. In keeping with the spirit of the other eco-friendly events on this list, please bring your own shopping bags along.
Free. Noon–6pm. B1, Grand Summit
Karate and Martial Arts Class with Adventure Zone, every Tuesday and Thursday, now through Dec
Ages 4+. Adventure Zone is offering Goju-ryu classes, a traditional Okinawan style of karate that uses techniques executed at close range. Your child can enjoy learning martial arts while strengthening and conditioning their body, gaining confidence, and learning discipline.
RMB 3500 – 3700. Registration needed. 4pm. Kerry Sports Center L3.
Electric Bicycle Tour of Old Beijing, every Wednesday and Sunday
All ages. Interested in seeing Beijing from a different point of view? Join Belectric on a tour of Old Beijing on an ebike. Tour through Old Beijing hutongs while stopping at famous landmarks like the Lama Temple, Drum Tower, Confucius Temple, Houhai Lake, and the Forbidden City. At each stop your guide will share stories about the history and lore behind each famous place.
RMB 400. 1-4pm. Culture Yard. www.belectricbeijing.com.
Safari Time Songs at The Bookworm, every Saturday
Children 3 months to 4 years. Does your tot love to sing and dance? Does your baby get excited when she hears music? Bring them to the Bookworm for Safari Time Songs! These classes will give your child a chance to learn simple songs from all around the world, have fun, and socialize.
There are two classes available, one for toddlers up to 4 years old from 9.30–10.30am and one for babies 3-18 months old from 10.30–11.30am. RMB 80. 9.30am. The Bookworm.
Mental Health Peer Support Group, second and fourth Tuesday of every month
Adults. There are many things that can be challenging in life: moving to a new country, going through a breakup, job loss, living with mental illness, or just the difficulties of this fast-paced modern life. Allow this bi-weekly mental health peer group to help you out. CandleX established an English speaking mental health peer support group in Oct 2015. It provides a safe environment for people living in Beijing to share personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings, through small, confidential gatherings.
50 RMB, free to people with incomes lower than RMB 6,000, needs registration. 7.30pm. U-Town Shopping Center.
Calligraphy Workshop with Cultural Keys, first Saturday of every month.
Want to explore traditional Chinese culture? Learn something new? Get better at your characters? Then join Cultural Keys for its monthly calligraphy workshop. Learn about the history and culture of this beautiful art form and then try it for yourself. This is a two hour calligraphy class with an experienced calligrapher. You will practice a design and then choose a character to write on decorative paper to bring home. This class includes a dumpling lunch. After lunch walk around and explore the unique Xiaopu Artist Village.
RMB 388. 9am–6.30pm. Meeting point: Tuanjiehu subway station. (Wechat: AJDonnelly, events@culturalkeys.cn)
Photos: courtesy of event holders, The Beijinger, Pixabay
