For many people, Halloween has become one of those co-opted holidays that has lost all whimsy and meaning. It’s yet another time of the year when you have to rack your brain to come up with a costume that is unique enough to beat last year’s choice without breaking your bank or your will to live. Where is the fun in that? At the end of the day, you might just be looking forward to yet another company party, or at best, drinks out with friends after work with all in attendance in not-so-close approximations of celebrity lookalike costumes. But all that is about to change.

No, Halloween is not being scrapped, though one might wager that the movement behind this is getting stronger. This is Halloween reimagined. This Thursday October 31 starting from 9pm, Aotu Space will bring the spooky wonder back into the night of the living dead with a spooktacular evening of everything from Disney medleys to a Van Morrison mashup. Jing Sing is Beijing’s finest (and indeed only) a cappella group, creating all their sounds using only the human voice. They’ve been delighting audiences around the city since 2014, and have put together a special program for Halloween and the arty, minimalist surroundings of Aotu Space.

So come enjoy the harmonic sounds of angelic-sounding performers as they dare to frighten you to death. Tuck the kids in for the night and head out for a little adult hijinkery. No costume is too kooky, no chords too spooky for this night of merriment and competition. This year, infuse the wonder back into your Halloween. Scan the QR code to book tickets.

Jing Sing Spookapella Halloween Concert, Oct 31

All ages. Early bird tickets RMB80, tickets at the door RMB120. 9pm. Aotu Space, 67, Beixinqiao Toutiao, Dongcheng District. (WeChat: JingSing)  东城区北新桥头条67号

Photo: courtesy of Jingsing & Aotu Space 

I know it’s been a while since Pitch Perfect was in theaters but I can’t help it. I still love the drama and the singing. There’s just something irresistibly catchy about listening to a cappella mash-ups of your favorite classics that make you want to get up and dance!

Beijing’s one and only a cappella choir, Jing Sing will be showcasing their eclectic selection of songs for free at Modernista this Thursday. The group first got together in 2014 and since then they’ve been entertaining audiences with their repertoire including pop hits, Motown classics, and Disney favorites.

This original arrangement, a mash-up of The Temptations’ “Ain’t too proud to beg” and “My Girl” is just one of their many hits.

Jing Sing, Sept 26
All ages. Free. 9pm. Modernista. 44 Baochao Hutong 宝钞胡同44号

Photos: Courtesy of Jing Sings

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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. 

Lord of the Rings in Concert, Dec 18-19
Grab some popcorn as well as your fanciest threads for this cinema and high art mash-up. China’s National Opera House Symphony Orchestra will take you on a journey through Middle-earth, performing the epic and soul-stirring classic score by Howard Shore alongside The Fellowship of the Ring. All ages. RMB 880-1,280. 7pm. Beijing Exhibition Center Theater.

The Orchid Dumpling Making Class, Dec 18 and 25
Each Tuesday night, The Orchid hosts Lu Jie’s fine dumpling making skills in a group class where anyone staying in Beijing can join in. Get the chance to learn how to make dumplings for special occasions, as well as eat and drink together with your classmates. All ages. RMB 350, RMB 200 (kids 12 and below). Sign up here. 7.30-10pm. The Orchid.

Jing Sing Acapella Christmas Show at Modernista, Dec 20
Modernista invites everyone on the evening of December 20 to witness Jing Sing a capella group who promise to astonish guests with their joyful vocal performance and get everyone into the Christmas spirit. Adults. Free. 9-11pm. Modernista.

MCF Toy Drive, until Dec 20
Do you have a new or gently used toy that your kid will not play with anymore? This is the time to turn that into something that would make a kid smile! The Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF) is conducting a Christmas toy drive until December 20 at four drop-off locations in the city: (1) Oasis International Hospital; (2) Side Street; (3)
Little Oasis, Parkview Green; and (4) The Roots, Yizhuang Creative Life Plaza. All toys will be donated to MCF. For more information, contact MCF through the QR code in the poster.

The Orchid Noodle Making Class, Dec 20 and 27
You might have seen 油泼扯面 (yóu pō chě miàn), or the flat wheat noodles sold at food carts on the street. At this workshop, you’ll be able to make your own flat wheat noodles — no experience necessary! Get an idea about how you can make it extra special from a chef too. The class fee also includes wine, draft beer from Great Leap Brewing, soft drinks, and juice. All ages. RMB 350, RMB 200 (kids 12 and under). Sign up here. 7.30-10pm. The Orchid.

Russian Christmas Party at ART+798, Dec 22
Explore how Christmas is celebrated in Russia, what Ded Moroz (Russian Santa) looks like, and how you can bring a white Christmas to Beijing through a snow globe crafting workshop. Feel free to bring your small toy as kids will be able to make a little snow house as well. The program includes a book reading session, snow globe crafting, gingerbread house making, and there will be games and more kid-friendly activities too. All ages. RMB 299 (members price for 1 adult + 1 child). RMB 399 for non-members. Registration fee includes all materials. 1.30-4pm. Art+798 International Art Education Center. (173 0105 7981)

Little Chefs at Domain: Gingerbread House Making Class, Dec 22
Join Domain’s weekend kids’ cooking classes and enjoy quality time with your family. Every class includes a glass of free juice for the kids. In this series, kids will enjoy constructing and decorating gingerbread houses, a great decoration to bring home for the Christmas season. All ages. RMB 328 (RSVP needed). 2pm. Domain. (8414 9830)

Treasure Trove: Last Minute Christmas Market, Dec 22-23
Get your last minute gifts at the Treasure Trove Christmas Market, held in partnership by Cultural Keys and Yoolee Plaza. This Christmas market stays open late for everyone to get some holiday shopping done. All ages. Free admission. 10.30am-9.30pm. Yoolee Plaza, north of Worker’s Stadium.

Christmas Camp: Discover Chinese Arts at Art+798, Dec 24-28
Looking for a different way for your kids to celebrate Christmas? Art+798 International Education Center holds a five-day Christmas camp, wherein kids get a chance to immerse themselves in various Chinese arts like painting, drama, shadow play, as well as ancient architecture. The camp also includes two field trips to the 798 and 751 Art and Design Districts and the Forbidden City. All ages. RMB 5,800 (including materials and lunch). ART+798 International Education Center.

The SLab Kids’ Winter Camp: Metalsmithing 101, Dec 26-28
The SLab’s Metalsmithing 101 winter camp gives an opportunity to older kids and students with no prior experience to learn how to pierce, saw, and finish metal pieces. At the camp, kids will work with brass and silver to create their own jewelry or accessories just in time to wear for the New Year. All classes will be taught in English. Ages 12+. RMB 1,888 (lunch included). 10am-4pm. The SLab.

Atelier Winter Art Camps, various dates in Dec
The Atelier team has created a special series of holiday-themed workshops mixing art, architecture, painting, history, culture, and history. Discover Venice and its Carnival, explore a revolutionary artistic movement or step into the world of Native Americans. Workshop 1: The Blue Rider (Dec 17-21) Discover Expressionism, Cubism and abstract art by different artists and artworks related to The Blue Rider including Kandinsky and Franz Marc. Workshop 2: A Journey to the World of Native Americans (Dec 24, Dec 26-29) Learn how to draw animals, make Native American totems and animal symbols, and create teepee models. Workshop 3: Venice and Its Carnival (Dec 31, Jan 2-5) Create a mask inspired by the Venetian masks and learn to sketch a landscape (veduta) with perspective. For ages 5-7: 10am-noon, RMB 2,000. For ages 8+: 1-3.30pm, RMB 2,500. Atelier Sanlitun and Shunyi. (www.atelier.cn.com)

Photos: Courtesy of event organizers