This week, due to the new COVID-19 cases that have been discovered in Beijing and increased security measures, we’re focussing on a range of super fun family-friendly NYE events that you can attend virtually as a family from around the world.
As always, click the link in the event title or scan the QR codes for further details and ticketing info.
Thursday, Dec 31 New Year’s Eve
Fun At-Home Ways to Usher in The New Year
Let’s face it, due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the city, many of us are choosing to stay in this year. But never fear because we’ve rounded up a great assortment of ways to celebrate without leaving home. From Chinese card games to family classic board games and even family-friendly drinking games (yes really!) you won’t get bored with these fun activities. Click here to read the whole article.
Friday, Jan 1 New Year’s Day
It’s the 1st of January, and even if you stayed in last night there is a strong chance you’ve woken up with a hangover… but of course, the kids still need entertaining. Lucky for you, due to the significant time difference, one of the greatest NYE events in the world is just getting started! This year, as even those living in NYC can’t attend the event live, a host of interactive and online events have been planned instead. Firstly, you can live-stream a series of live performances from the square for free from 7am Beijing time, culminating in the famous midnight (1pm Beijing time) ball drop and an epic live performance of ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. To keep the kids entertained throughout, get them plugged into VNYE (Virtual New Year’s Eve), who have created a virtual reality and augmented reality online platform, where you can create and customize your own avatar and explore Times Square.
From 7am Beijing time. Online. Free
Hogmawhat? Hogmanay is the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve celebrations, and generally, this 3-day festival is one of the biggest in the region (if you have ever heard of the Edinburg Fringe Festival you know the Scots can throw a party!) This year it’s going totally virtual with three short films that feature one of the UK’s largest-ever drone shows, which are choreographed to create words and symbols, birds, animals (like the stag above), and mythical creatures, streamed live on their website. Beijing is 8 hours ahead of Edinburg, so you can catch the final hour of the show from 7am Beijing time (or even earlier if you’re up).
From very early morning Beijing time. Online. Free
Saturday, Jan 2
Sunday, Jan 3
KEEP READING: Updates: The Latest in Beijing Family News
Images: Courtesy of the event organizers
