Dive into this week’s collection of fun family-friendly events right here in Beijing.
As always, click the link in the event title or scan the QR codes for further details and ticketing info.
Thursday, Mar 25
2021 Beijing International Light Festival – Opening Night
This year’s Beijing International Light Festival begins this Friday at Yuyuantan Park just past the 2nd West Ring Road. Running every night until Oct 10, it’s a fantastic display of lights, lasers, images, music, and performances that interact with the natural landscape of the park, providing a truly immersive experience for visitors. This year, one of the special themes is outer space, sure to be a huge hit with the little ones, and while it’s a later start than most kid-friendly activities, it’s really worth it for the exciting displays.
9pm. Yuyuantan Park. RMB 68 (child), RMB 88 (adult). Does not include park entrance: foreign passport holders need to reserve park entrance in advance.
Friday, Mar 26
HALO Spring Market
This Friday, and for a series of upcoming weekends, the Phoenix commercial street near Sanyuanqiao is hosting the HALO spring market. RV life and camping is the theme here, but there will be a nice range of vendors there, including booths related to pet adoption. While you’re there, don’t forget to scope out the location of the soon-to-be-opened Phoenix Jing-A.
11am. Phoenix Center Merchant Street. Free to attend.
Saturday, Mar 27
Roundabout Book Fair – VENUE CHANGE
The Roundabout Book Fair is the place to pick up second-hand books, toys, and games in Beijing. There are usually a few iterations per year and the first one of the season is taking place this Saturday and Sunday, but note that the venue has recently changed to the Riviera Country Club up in Shunyi. Kids’ books start from RMB 1, hardback from RMB 20 and there is always a great range of English, Chinese, and other foreign language titles (think of all the expats coming and going over the years). As well as plenty of goods to browse, there will also be tasty food and drinks and a bouncy castle for the kids!
10am-3pm. Beijing Riviera Country Club. Free to attend.
This Saturday from 8.30 to 9.30pm is Earth Hour: the hour in which people all over the world are encouraged to turn off their lights, and all electronic devices. Sometimes called the largest collective environmental action, it’s designed to encourage us to reflect on our energy consumption and demonstrate how taking small everyday actions can add up to positive change in the fight against climate change. It’s a great opportunity to talk to your kids about renewable energy and the ways in which we as a community can do good together. Click here for more information, and a list of 20+ ways you can take part in Earth Hour and make a memorable event with your kids.
8.30-9.30pm. Wherever you are. Free.
“Peach Blossom Fairy” musical show – Chinese
Spring has sprung, so that means that all the creatures in the garden are showing off their best blossoms. As usual, the King Bee has been invited in order to choose the most beautiful flower fairy. But this year he has a new rule: instead of being judged by their beauty, flowers shall be judged by their fragrances. What will the blossoms do to make sure they are the chosen flower? You and the kids will have to head down to the theatre this Saturday to find out… and also speak Chinese as this is a Chinese language event. Even if you’re not fluent, we’d say it’s worth it, based on these gorgeous costumes.
10.30am. China Puppet Theater Anzhen Bridge, North Third Ring, Chaoyang District. From RMB 93
Coming up…
Pencil these into your calendars, as the Spring events season swings into gear! We’ll share more details as the events draw closer.
On Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center is hosting a Garden Brunch. There will be a magic kids’ escape room, petting zoo, fashion photo corner, magic story club, kids boxing activity, face painting, handcraft classes, and of course plenty of good food and drink.
Also on April 4, Riviera Country Club is hosting an Easter Emporium… stay tuned for further details as they come.
KEEP READING: WeChat Groups Parents In Beijing Must Join
-Images: courtesy of the event organizers
