At this time of year everyone is going Halloween crazy… and we’ve been right in the spirit of it, suggesting costume ideas, exploring the history of the festival, and helping you find the Halloween party that’s right for you and your brood. But there’s another event around now which also puts the grin on the skeletons’ faces, and that’s Mexico’s “Dia de los Muertos,” the Day of the Dead.

It may not seem like an appropriate festival to celebrate with kids, but on the contrary, the Dia de los Muertos is very much a family occasion. It’s not about fearing or mourning our departed loved ones, but about celebrating their lives. The world got to know the Day of the Dead better through Disney-Pixar’s much-loved 2017 movie Coco.

The 2017 Disney Pixar move Coco made the Dia De los Muertos known around the world

One of the most distinctive visual symbols of the festival is the brightly-painted “sugar skull,” and this image is at the center of an exhibition at the Contemporary Art Culture Center, above Destination on Gongti Xilu. The exhibition will open at 5pm on November 1 in a ceremony at which the Mexican Ambassador, his Excellency José Luis Bernal, will be present. It then runs until November 10, from 10am to 6pm every day except Monday, and is free to visit.

Meanwhile, for the grown-ups, El Barrio is holding a Day of the Dead party on Saturday November 2, with a live Mariachi band, while Pachapapi is rocking it Latin-style on Friday November 1.

But if you don’t fancy getting a babysitter and sampling some tequila, you can still celebrate the Dia de los Muertos with your kids. Why not put together a traditional memorial for someone you’ve lost? Decorate a table with candles, skull decorations, and souvenirs from your loved one’s life: photos, cherished possessions, even their favorite food. Then – and this is the important thing – share happy memories of their life, tell funny stories, sing songs they loved. It should not be a morbid occasion, but a joyous one.

To all Mexican and Latin American friends, and to everyone celebrating this occasion, we at beijingkids say “Feliz, Dia de los Muertos!”

Photo: Gengiskanhg via Wikimedia Commons, rottentomatoes.com, courtesy of【ART·DES】

Many lantern fairs are held in Beijing during the Lantern Festival, offering us the chance to share in the celebration of this traditional Chinese holiday. Here are five of the best places to see spectacular and colorful lanterns and light shows.

Solana Light Festival

Solana Light Festival has been held every year for the last ten years. Each festival is elaborately crafted with attention to detail and creativity, producing a sense of identity in an urban art space. If you want to see the emerging art of the west and the east, it’s worth checking out.

14^th Dec 2018 – 25^th Feb 2019, free. No.6, Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang District (010-5905 6663/6668)
北京市朝阳区朝阳公园路6号
More info here.

Sanlitun Disney Light Show

Disney have unveiled a lantern show to celebrate Chinese New Year in Taikoo Li, Sanlitun, and the display will continue until the Lantern Festival. Many lovable lanterns, featuring classic animated films like Toy Story and Frozen, invite you and your kids to light up the New Year with a wish.

22^nd Jan – 19^th Feb, free. Taikoo Li, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District (010-64177110)
北京市朝阳区三里屯太古里
More info here.

Happy Valley Lantern Festival

Thousands of lanterns light up the whole garden. You have the chance to see a combination of traditional culture and contemporary trends, fabulous Peking Opera figures, a giant “old Beijing” hotpot, and a historical imperial palace there.

2^th Jan – 15^th March, RMB 165 above (Preferential price: 99 yuan/person before 14:00 from 15^th February to 19^th February). Happy Valley, Xiaowuji Beilu, Chaoyang District (010-6738 9898)
北京市朝阳区东四环小武基北路
More info here.

Haidian Shangzhuang Light Festival

The Shangzhuang Light Festival will feature light shows with an array of themes that range from farming, love, traditional culture, fairy tales, and the ocean, to a sea of flowers. You will encounter whimsical displays and familiar characters, all gathered in a big field in Haidian district.

28^th Jan – 19^th Feb 18:00 – 22:00, RMB 35 above. Sanyuan Agricultural Science and Technology Park, No. 119, Shangzhuang road, Haidian District (010-62471966)
海淀区上庄路119号北京三元农业科技园
More info here.

Nangong Lantern Show

There are hundreds of lanterns with colorful lights, elaborately created by local folk artists, at Nangong Lantern Show in Fengtai District. You can enjoy traditional performances combined with outstanding works of art, while having a taste of “old Beijing” street food. Let the New Year vibe spread to the end of the holiday there!

6^th Feb – 20^th Feb 14:00-21:00, RMB 105 above. World Geothermal Expo park, no. 1, Yingbin Road, Wangzuo South Palace, Fengtai District (010-83318032/83318649) 
北京市丰台区王佐南宫迎宾路1号世界地热博览园内
More info here.

Enjoy the lanterns!

Photo: Weibo.com, Taikoolisanlitun.com, Sohu.com, happyvalley.cn

Parents looking for things to do with their offspring on chilly November days will be warmed by the knowledge that a strong of international blockbusters are coming to Beijing cinemas this month. We’ve picked out three fabulous fantasies for families to enjoy together. Don’t forget that international films are usually screened in both subtitled and dubbed versions, often at different times at the same cinema. Make sure you’re booking for a screening which suits your language skills.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Already screening is Disney’s latest live-action fantasy, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. It’s based on the classic story which also inspired Tchaikovsky’s much-loved ballet, about a Christmas gift which opens a door to a magical kingdom. So far the movie has been less well-loved, with one critic describing it as “an explosion of special effects and set design in search of a story.” However little princesses will adore its sparkly festive glamor.

The House With a Clock in Its Walls

Director Eli Roth is not exactly known for family-friendly fare, but like Peter Jackson before him, he’s brought skills honed in the horror genre to more mainstream fantasy. The House With a Clock in Its Walls may still be a little scary for the youngest kids, but should provide satisfying thrills for elementary-age kids and up. It’s the tale of a boy who goes to stay with his uncle in a mysterious house, and discovers a hidden world of witches and warlocks.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Despite the last of the novels having hit the screens seven years ago, the Harry Potter universe keeps on giving. Fantastic Beasts began as a fundraising book for charity but has now spawned not only a film but a sequel too. Kids who are potty about Potter will love this prequel, with a screenplay by JK Rowling herself, in which a young Albus Dumbledore joins up with Newt Scamander to battle the dark wizard Grindelwald.

Photos: www.rottentomatoes.com, Wikimedia Commons

We are enchanted to announce that Youku, Alibaba’s video streaming service will soon be hosting a magical kingdom of Disney content available on your tablet, internet TV, and handheld devices.

It was reported by Variety on Sunday that after a deal inked by Youku and Buena Vista International, that there would be a 1,000 episodes of Disney content, along with films ranging from “Frozen,” the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, and “Mulan.” This deal will provide the Youku video streaming platform with the most extensive authorized Disney animation collection in China.

We all know that when it comes to providing family friendly content, it doesn’t get much better than Disney. Also, having access to thousands of hours of this material conveniently and without the use of a VPN will be an even more enticing aspect for many expats with children who can’t get enough “Ducktales.”

In the past, Disney has faced a number of challenges trying to get their digital television media into the Chinese streaming market. In 2016, they even attempted to launch their own DisneyLife online content platform, which it also started with Alibaba, but was crushed by Chinese regulators after five months. So let’s wish upon a star that this collaboration doesn’t result in a similar outcome.

Photo: cdn.vox-cdn.com

Online retailing giant Alibaba, which owns Taobao and Tmall, is suing two of its vendors that is accused of selling fake Swarovski watches.

The RMB 1.4 million lawsuit is a relatively small price for a company which sold nearly RMB 18 billion worth of goods on Singles Day alone, but the move is seen as symbolically significant because it’s the first time an online retailer has taken action against sellers through the Chinese courts.

Alibaba is desperate to clean up its reputation, having recently been labeled a “notorious market” for counterfeiting by the Office of the US Trade Representative. It has launched an English language version of Taoprotect, its system for reporting fakes, and promises more action in the future. “We want to mete out to counterfeiters the punishment they deserve in order to protect brand owners,” said Zheng Junfang, chief platform governance officer of Alibaba Group. “We will bring the full force of the law to bear on these counterfeiters so as to deter others from engaging in this crime wherever they are.”

In another step forward for intellectual property rights in China, a Shanghai court this month ruled that a Beijing-made animation was a copy of Disney’s Cars. The makers of The Autobots claimed theirs was an original story, but the designs of the characters, the title and even the poster are suspiciously similar to the much-loved Pixar film. The Autobots is less well-loved, having achieved the dubious honor of being the lowest-rated Chinese language movie of 2015 on douban.com.

However these problems are not unique to China. A California company has filed a lawsuit against Ebay, Paypal, and 2000 of their sellers, using legislation aimed at preventing Mafia-style organized crime, while Amazon recently launched its own action against alleged counterfeiters. It’s clear that online retailers worldwide are being expected to do more to ensure that goods sold through them are the real deal – even though many customers are quite happy to pay a bargain price for a convincing fake.

Photo: chinadaily.com

For those of us who will be staying in Beijing for the National Holidays, let’s resist the urge to avoid the incoming/ tourist crowd by staying indoors the whole week.  Now this isn’t scientific, but I’m going to hypothesize that the movie theater will be less busy during the holidays, making it the optimal time for taking the kids!

So what’s playing?

Storks (逗鸟外传：萌宝满天飞)

PG. In the setting of Storks, storks have been delivering packages rather than babies for some time now. However, when a baby appears for delivery, a stork’s gotta do what a stork’s gotta do: deliver the baby.

Chibi Maruko-chan: The Boy from Italy (樱桃小丸子 来自意大利的少年)

Chibi Maruko-chan (ying tao xiao wan zi), a popular Japanese animation series set in suburban Japan in 1974, has been immensely popular in Asia since its release 25 years ago. Chibi Maruko-chan: The Boy from Italy is the third Chibi Maruko film, and its release date corresponds with its 25 year anniversary celebration.

Nine Lives (九条命)

In the only non-animated fiction movie in this list, Kevin Spacey plays a workaholic rich man who is disconnected from his family.  For his daughter’s birthday, which he had forgotten, he scrambles to buy a gift last minute and ends up at a mystical pet shop. He and Mr. Fuzzypants (the cat pictured) end up changing places, allowing him to learn about his family by posing as the new family pet.

Mcdull: The Rise of the Rice Cooker (麦兜·饭宝奇兵)

Mcdull (mak dau) is a Hongkonese animation series featuring Mcdull the pig, who, as the name suggests, isn’t very bright.  Yet, as an ordinary character, Mcdull has managed to be featured in seven films already. The latest, Mcdull: The Rise of the Rice Cooker, is about an alien invasion.

Ice Age: Collision Course (冰川时代5：星际碰撞)

PG. The fifth movie in the series, this time their ice age is threatened by cosmic disaster, once again set off by Scrat’s obsession for acorns.  The crew: Manny, Sid, Diego, and company, set off on another exciting trip to save the planet!

The Secret Life of Pets (爱宠大机密)

PG. A story not only about talking animals and the secret lives they lead, but also about change, class differences, and tolerance.  Max, a house dog in NYC feels threatened by the larger stray dog Duke, which his owner brings home one day.  As he dislikes him, they instantly get in trouble, and find themselves amongst other strays who plot revenge against humans. Will they be able to work together to stop the others?

New Happy Dad and Son 2: The Instant Genius (新大头儿子和小头爸爸2一 成才)

A sequel to New Happy Dad and Son movie, based on the popular Chinese animation series, this time Small-Head-Dad and Apron-Mom resort to relying on a stranger for help when Big-Head-Son doesn’t learn in class.  This series was originally released in 1995, but CCTV redesigned and reproduced it in 2013.

Godbeast Megazord: Return of Green Dragon (神兽金刚之青龙再现)

A sequel to the King Kong animation series, the gundams (robots) protect the earth from the Night Emperor’s curse. This time, the earth’s water resources are in danger. Will they be able to protect the earth from awakened behemoths?

Born in China (我们诞生在中国)

An educational nature film by Disney Nature, Born in China has viewers following the families of three endangered animal species: the Giant Panda (which is no longer endangered), the Snow Leopard, and the Golden Monkey.

New releases

I Am NeZha (我是哪吒) – Oct 1

Nezha is a protection deity in ancient Chinese folk religion, called the Third Lotus Prince, and this film is loosely based on the story, Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi).

铠甲勇士捕王 – Oct 2

A futuristic, action-packed movie set in the year 2072. Army Commander Xu Zhan takes his troops back in time to the Qing and Qin Dynasties to fight the Yan God and rewrite human history!

The Ugly Duckling (疯狂丑小鸭) – Oct 3

In a world where the bird kingdom exists besides the human realm, the Ugly Duckling and his comrades travel to find the missing glazed bird and overthrow the Rosa Court to prevent war with the humans.

新东方神娃 – Oct 4

A story about good versus evil, follow along as the Millennium Goddess’ children, Dragon and Phoenix, journey to save both their mother and the planet earth.  As the lamp of light is drained by the demons, the Millennium Goddess retreats and separates from her children. The two must prove their love for their mother, eradicate the demons, and rekindle the lamp’s light in order to retrieve their mother and maintain peace on earth.

The Wild Life (Robinson Crusoe, 鲁滨逊漂流记) – Oct 4

Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe told from the perspective of the island’s inhabitants: the animals. A story about cooperation, team effort, and overcoming differences, The Wild Life is more about the animals of the deserted island wanting adventure than Robinson Crusoe’s plight. Watch as the animals overcome their animal-human language barrier and use Crusoe as a ticket off the island, and Crusoe rely on the animals for help to return home.

Note: Click on the link (Chinese name) for a list of theaters and their play times. Some older movies will be limited to fewer locations.

English (original) versions of movies are normally played later at night, so please note the language before buying tickets. Chinese movies will only be in Mandarin.

I still remember vividly how a childhood friend of mine could sketch a perfect Mickey Mouse on back of his textbook in five minutes. To younger me it was magic.

And I always wonder how professional artists first came up with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Winnie the Pooh and many other Disney characters. Did they just doodle for the whole afternoon and suddenly get the inspiration? Or did they work their characters out in detail with thorough requirements in their minds?

You can figure it all out this summer at the National Museum of China. From now through August 18, the Walt Disney Animation Research Library will be showcasing many of their treasured collections at the museum, including many original sketches of our beloved Disney characters in their rudimentary forms. 

In addition to over three hundred sketches and art objects, the exhibition will also demonstrate the animation process with an iPad program designed specifically for this event. The program will demonstrate step by step how successive drawings can create the illusion of movement, and how movements can become movies on the big screen with the help of computer programs.

Works will be themed into four different sections at the exhibition: love, family, courage and friendship.

Don’t know what to do this weekend? Take your kids to the National Museum to see how Mickey Mouse was made! The exhibition is bilingual.

National Museum of China  国家博物馆
Free. Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. Gallery N4, 16 E Chang’an Avenue, Dongcheng District.

Photos: beijingnews.com.cn, ctoy.com.cn

As the parent of a 4-year-old girl, I know first-hand the draw of both Disney princesses and ice skating. Combine the two and its virtually impossible not to have your little one completely sucked in.

With that in mind, our household is preparing for next week’s Beijing performances of Disney on Ice, which combines the grace and skill of ice skating with the characters our children can’t seem to get enough of.

The world touring company of Disney on Ice starts with Friday night show on Nov 4 and continues both Saturday and Sunday with three performances at 10:30am, 3:30pm and 7:30pm.

 The combination of Disney and ice skating is impossible for little girls to resist

The show — themed Let’s Celebrate — features characters from just about every Disney film you can think of, from classics like Snow White, Pinocchio and Cinderella to the more modern Toy Story, Mulan and The Princess and the Frog.

We here at beijingkids love to share the love with our readership, and since the promoters of this show have given us some free tickets, we’d like to give them to one lucky reader.

We’ve got a block of 6 tickets for you and your family (and perhaps one or two of your child’s friends … after all, what’s a show without your friends along?) for the Friday night (730pm) show on Nov 4.

All you need do is post a comment to this thread, telling us an antecdote about your child’s favorite Disney character or film: which of the pantheon does he/she love the most, and why?

The most creative, touching and/or humorous response by Monday, Oct 31 will be awarded the six tickets (which, I might add as a sweetener, have a total face value of more than RMB 2000!)

Go for it!

For more information on the Beijing performances of Disney on Ice, see the event listing here.

Unfortunately, it’s been tough going: Last month’s earthquake reportedly damaged an estimated “80 percent” of Sichuan’s panda reserves, including the world-famous Woolong Nature Reserve where sadly one panda, Mao Mao, was killed. Although eight pandas from the region were recently relocated to the Beijing Zoo , many of those who remain in Sichuan’s reserves have reportedly been so traumatized by the catastrophe they’ve had to undergo “touch therapy” by their human caretakers.

The bigger question, however, is what has become of the estimated 2,000 (or less) pandas thought to live in the wilds of Sichuan in the area that was essentially the hardest hit. However—there is one silver lining— maybe there will be a renewed focus on panda conservation (and wildlife conservation in general) in the aftermath of this catastrophe.

Incidentally, DreamWorks Animation’s new feature Kung Fu Panda, starring Jack Black as a panda who dreams of becoming a martial arts master, had its debut in Shanghai last week at an invitation-only screening. The rest of the country saw the debut on Friday in theaters across the country despite calls for a boycott of Kung Fu Panda (on rather myopic grounds) by attention-mongering conceptual artist Zhao Bandi.

Meanwhile, another panda film, Touch of the Panda (a Chinese-Disney co-production), is also proceeding with post-production, despite having part of its shoot affected by the earthquake. The film is slated for release in 2009, when things, hopefully, will take a turn for the better for our fine furry friends.