With the long holiday ending, are you trying to make more fun plans for the family? Here are our picks for kid-friendly happenings in Beijing for the next two weeks to give you some inspiration. For even more goings-on, and for weekly events, be sure to join one of our Family-Friendly Events groups on WeChat (add wilhelmina87 to be added).
Bonus: We’re also listing all the upcoming open houses for schools. Scroll to the bottom for the list.
2025 Beijing Carbohydrate Festival – Eat & Run
The 2025 Beijing Carbohydrate Festival is every weekend until Oct 26 up at the Olympic Park. Vendors from all over have gathered together and are laying out a mouth-watering feast celebrating the mighty carb. This is a great opportunity to see tried and true favorite eateries and discover new ones. And while stuffing your face with carbs is a noble objective in and of itself, there will also be more than just carb-y foods at the fest. You can find more information about the festival here.
Where: Olympic Park
When: Oct 8 (Wed), Oct 11-12 (Sat-Sun), Oct 17-19 (Fri-Sun), and Oct 24-26 (Fri-Sun) from 11am to 9pm
Price: Free entry
YCIS Beijing’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
Three decades of excellence, growth and countless cherished memories – Yew Chung International School (YCIS) Beijing is absolutely delighted to invite its alumni community back to their alma mater to celebrate YCIS Beijing’s 30th Anniversary!
The school promises attendees a truly memorable day, filled with an exciting program, opportunities to reconnect with old friends and beloved faculty, and a chance to reminisce about formative years within the vibrant YCIS community.
Where: Yew Chung International School Beijing
When: Oct 10 (Fri) from 9am to 5pm
Price: Free
BBC Earth’s Planet Earth II Audiovisual Concert
Enjoy the internationally renowned audiovisual concert of BBC Earth’s Planet Earth II at Beijing’s first outdoor waterside performance venue, the Shell Theater at Chaoyang Park. This theater very recently reopened to the public after a period of renovation.
Where: Shell Theater (贝壳剧场) at Chaoyang Park
When: Oct 11-12 (Sat-Sun) from 6pm to 8pm
Price: Free entry to event (Chaoyang Park entry: RMB 5)
Kidu-Mart Bread Festival
Get your classic breads, pastries and specialty desserts all in one stop at Lihua Square (礼花广场) in Chaoyang Park.
Where: Lihua Square (礼花广场) in Chaoyang Park
When: Oct 16-19 (Thu-Sun) from 11am to 9pm
Price: Free entry to event (Chaoyang Park entry: RMB 5)
Seeking Light Concert: Little Artists in the Fairy Tale Kingdom (Denmark)
Enjoy the internationally renowned cultural performance of the Little Artists in the Fairy Tale Kingdom (Denmark) at the Shell Theater at Chaoyang Park.
Where: Shell Theater Chaoyang Park
When: Oct 17-19 (Fri-Sun) from 6pm to 8pm
Price: Free entry to event (Chaoyang Park entry: RMB 5)
The Sound of Music Waterfront Weekend Concert
Take the Liangma River Cruise on weekends from October 11 to 26 and experience the theme of The Sound of Music plus folk music, jazz, light music and other types of music.
Where: Liangma River
When: Oct 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 (all (Sat-Sun) from 6pm to 11pm
Price: The riverside concert is free but guests need to pay for the cruise.
Taster Class for Pre-Schoolers at YCIS Yizhuang
Dear parents, are you still worried about where to take your little ones? The YCIS Yizhuang play group is here! This ECE playgroup allows children to experience activities such as storybook reading, sensory training, outdoor exploration, crafts and music introduction, making it fun for your little ones to play and learn even more joyfully!
Where: Yew Chung International School Yizhuang
When: Oct 21 (Tue) from 9.15am to noon
Price: Free
Chrysanthemum Exhibition and Nature Exploration at the China National Botanical Garden
The long holiday may soon be over, but it’s always a good time to get out and explore some of Beijing’s greener spots. The China National Botanical Garden is in the midst of holding its fourth annual Chrysanthemum Exhibition. Tens of thousands of chrysanthemums, roses, osmanthus flowers and flowers of many other varieties will be on display in many different exhibition areas. And while you bask in the horticultural splendor, you can also participate in a variety of science activities and cultural experiences. The exhibition will run for several more weeks, so even if you’re not able to make it soon, you’ve still got plenty of time to take in the beautiful blooms. Find more information about the exhibition here.
What’s better? There will also be a number of bilingual parent-child science activities taking place throughout the holiday. From plants to bugs and birds, there’s bound to be something to excite the young scientist in your family. Read more about the scheduled activities and how to register here.
Where: China National Botanical Garden
When: Now until Oct 26 (Sun) from 9am to 6pm
Price: Starts at RMB 5 (entry to park)
2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival
The 2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival · Consumption Season is underway, taking place now until the end of October. Here, you’ll encounter radiant light-and-shadow art installations created by internationally renowned directors and creative teams.
There is also a wide array of cultural and entertainment events. From light shows, art exhibitions, festivals and fun outdoor activities to concerts of all kinds, dance performances, musical theater and more, this festival is packed with fun for everyone in the family. You can find more information about all the different activities happening throughout this month here.
Where: Liangma River and Olympic Park
When: Now until Oct 31 (Fri) from 6pm to 10pm
Price: Free
Scares @ Universal
Universal Beijing Resort is bringing back its Scares @ Universal event from now until Nov 2. During its nighttime experiences, the closing time of the themed lands will be extended to 11pm.
Four themed haunted mazes (including two new ones) and two scare zones will open to visitors altogether. The Universal Monsters Crypt, one of the new haunted zones, will gather original characters from Universal Pictures’ classic movies and provide visitors with multi-sensory assaults through blockbuster-level production quality. Another new area, the silent and mysterious House of Hua Pi, will open for a limited period. Jack’s Circus and House No. 91 will also come back.
Where: Universal Beijing Resort
When: Daily until Nov 2 from 10am to 11pm
Price: Starts at RMB 270
Little Learners at BSB Shunyi on Tuesdays & Thursdays
Join the Little Learners program at The British School of Beijing, Shunyi, starting Oct 14. Designed for children from birth to 3 years old, this program encourages socialization, eases the transition into school and inspires a lifelong love of learning through purposeful play.
Foreign passport holders only. Scan the QR code to register.
Where: The British School of Beijing, Shunyi
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 10.30am
Price: Free
MAMA Moove in the Park on Fridays
Join MAMA Workout in the Park every Friday from 10.30am to 11.45am at Chaoyang Park West. A fun, full-body workout designed to be postpartum safe – with or without your baby. Stay active, connect with other moms and enjoy the fresh air. Don’t forget to bring your own mat. Scan to join today!
Where: Chaoyang Park West
When: Every Friday from 10.30am to 11.45am
Price: RMB 118
Upcoming School Open Houses:
It’s open house season again, and these schools are opening their doors to give prospective parents and students a chance to take a peek at what they do best and meet their awesome educators.
THISDL All-Grade Open Day 2025
Join the Tsinghua International School Daoxiang Lake (THISDL) for their All-Grade Open Day. Experience immersive trial classes, hear their educational vision and explore their campus through guided tours. Q&A sessions will be available to plan your child’s future with them. Scan the QR code to register today!
Where: Tsinghua International School Daoxiang Lake
When: Oct 12 (Sun) from 9am to noon
Price: Free
Early Years Open Morning at BSB Sanlitun
The British School of Beijing (BSB), Sanlitun is opening doors and inviting everyone to join them to see their wonderful school in action. The school offers children and their families a world class education in a warm and welcoming community, so go and see for yourself!
Where: The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun
When: Oct 15 (Wed) from 9am to 11.30am
Price: Free
DCB DUCKS Open Day
Give your child the best start in Dulwich College Beijing’s (DCB) newly renovated and state-of-the-art facilities. Join the school as they welcome prospective families and students age 3-6 to their on-campus open day.
Where: Dulwich College Beijing
When: Oct 18 (Sat) from 9am to noon
Price: Free
BCIS Open Days
Discover the vibrant learning community at Beijing City International School (BCIS) through their upcoming Open Houses! Parents are invited to explore the school’s engaging programs, meet experienced educators, and learn about their innovative curriculum. Join them on Oct 18 (Sat) for Elementary and Secondary School, and Oct 25 (also Sat) for ECC Toddler and Nursery.
Where: Beijing City International School
When: Oct 18 and 25 (both Sat) from 9am to noon
Price: Free
Open Day at YCIS Yizhuang
Participate at Yew Chung International School (YCIS) Yizhuang’s inaugural Open Day & Demo Class event, where you and your kids can explore the allure and boundless possibilities of education. Here, children will experience the joy and challenges of bilingual classes.
Students from the ECE to the Primary will receive a set of Chinese Enlightenment Tales, while students applying to the Secondary on the day can enjoy a complimentary international standardized assessment. Parents will have the opportunity to engage in face-to-face discussions with the school’s educational management team, gaining a deeper understanding of their educational philosophy and experiencing the unique charm of their international campus through a campus tour.
Where: Yew Chung International School Yizhuang
When: Oct 18 (Sat) from 9.30am to noon
Price: Free
Open House at Ivy Academy Sanyuanqiao
Ivy Academy’s Sanyuanqiao Campus is located in the high-end residential area of the northeast Third Ring Road in Beijing and has a safe, serene environment. In addition to the nine learning centers based on the multiple intelligences theory, the campus is equipped with a multi-function hall, a small theater, a STEAM classroom, an art classroom, a creative art space, a reading library, a lending library and a music classroom to satisfy student curiosity.
Join their open houses for the 2026-2027 school year to get your questions answered about kindergarten selection.
Where: Ivy Academy Sanyuanqiao Campus
When: Oct 18 (Sat) from 9.30am to noon
Price: Free
Open Classroom at the Swiss School in Beijing
The Swiss School in Beijing is opening their classrooms again! Discover the Swiss School’s campus on the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) grounds. Small, multi-age classes create a family-like atmosphere that fosters individual learning. Their curriculum follows German-speaking Switzerland, with immersive English from kindergarten, structured English lessons from Grade 2 and Chinese completing the program.
Where: Swiss School in Beijing (inside WAB)
When: Oct 20 (Mon) from 10am to noon
Price: Free
Dulwich College Beijing Junior School Open Day
Discover how Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) students excel academically while also pursuing their passions. DCB welcomes prospective families and students in Junior School (aged 8-13) to its on-campus open day.
Scan the below QR code to register for the event.
Where: Dulwich College Beijing
When: Oct 25 (Sat) from 9am to noon
Price: Free
HD Beijing Open Days
Haide (HD) Beijing School has two upcoming open days: one for Middle School and another for Primary School. Make sure to scan the QR code for more details.
Where: Haide Beijing School
When: Oct 25 for Middle School and Nov 1 for Primary School (both Sat) from 9am
Price: Free
Duckling Discovery Days for 2-3 Year Olds
Joyful learning starts at a young age. Discover this with your kids at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB)’s Duckling Discovery Days as they welcome prospective families and students aged 2-3 to their on-campus event. Grab this opportunity for your child to play, grow and make friends in the school’s world-class spaces.
Contact DCB now to find out all the exciting details. Scan the QR code in the poster to register for the event.
Where: Dulwich College Beijing
When: Oct 27, Nov 10, Nov 24 (all Mon) from 8.45am to 10.30am
Price: Free
Join ISB’s Fall Open House
The International School of Beijing (ISB) is welcoming parents and students for a morning of discovery and connection. Take a closer look at the school’s Early Years and Elementary programs as you explore their learning spaces, hear from teachers and students, and meet members of the leadership team. This is your chance to take a glimpse of life at ISB!
Where: International School of Beijing
When: Nov 8 (Sat) from 9am to 11am (for Early Years and Elementary School) and 12.30pm to 2.30pm (for Middle School/High School)
Price: Free
Dulwich Senior School Open Day
Dulwich Senior School Open Day welcomes prospective students and families to explore the school’s inspiring senior campus. Meet passionate teachers, tour modern facilities and learn about a curriculum that cultivates critical thinking, creativity and leadership. Experience firsthand the vibrant community and opportunities that prepare students for academic excellence and success in a global environment.
Where: Dulwich College Beijing
When: Nov 8 (Sat) from 9am to noon
Price: Free
YCIS Beijing Weekly School Tours – Every Wednesday
Yew Chung International School Beijing is pleased to welcome parents of prospective students for dedicated school tours every Wednesday. Families considering enrolment for ECE, Primary or Secondary in Semester 1 are invited to book an appointment and explore their vibrant campus.
Where: Yew Chung International School Beijing
When: Every Wednesday from 9.30am to 11am
Price: Free
Did we miss any upcoming family-friendly event worth attending? Let us know in the comments below!
Images: pexels.com, courtesy of organizers
