Gingerbread House Making Class, Ongoing

Every weekend in December kids can join either the 10.30am or 2pm gingerbread making class for RMB 328 per child including all the materials, hands-on instructions from the chefs, and one fresh juice. Everything you need to build a beautiful gingerbread house will be prepared by the Domain team. All you need to bring is your creativity. Each class usually takes around an hour and no matter what level of arts and crafts skill you have, the chefs will help you put together a beautiful gingerbread house to be adored. For a small private party for the kids, Domain offers private classes for groups of five or more. Bookings need to be made at least three days in advance.

Ages 3+. RMB 328. 10.30am or 2pm. 8414 9830.

Ice World of Shine Hills, Ongoing

Fun for all those who enjoy ice skating or just watching as others merrily glide by. Great for a sporty day out or a fun family, remain active this winter with a bit of skating fun. 

Ages 3+. RMB 60. 10am-9pm. North plaza of Shine Hills, Antai Street No.9, Shunyi.  www.24tickets.com

WF Central Ice World, Ongoing

This ice rink is located at the green space of WF Central, which covers 1,000sqm and can accommodate more than 120 skaters at the same time. This seasonal treat is meant to further enhance your unique experiences of being in Beijing, located right along the famous Wangfujing Street, and just a short distance away from the Forbidden City, arguably some of the most authentically local places in the city. Don’t worry about what to do with the family. WF Central Ice World will be your one-stop fun spot for the whole of winter and well into the spring.

Ages 3+.  RMB 48. 10am-10pm. WF Central, The Green, West Building, 269 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng. www.24tickets.com

“Dulwich Christmas” Bazaar and Concerts, Dec 9 – 10

Browse through festive stalls with both student entrepreneurs and established vendors touting their wares. Chat with friends over a cup of mulled wine. Unique seasonal crafts, bright gift ideas, yuletide roast, and more await you at the Dulwich Christmas Bazaar, followed by a concert.

All ages. Free admission. Bazaar 3.30-7 pm, concert 7 pm, Dulwich College Beijing.

2019 Christmas Carol Concert, Dec 12

Harrow Beijing would like to invite you to their 2019 Christmas Carol Concert. Enjoy the world’s favorite carols, as well as fantastic performances by their amazing student and staff artists.

All ages. Free admission. 6-7.15pm. Harrow Beijing. https://yoopay.cn/event/90644367

Hope International School Christmas Concert, “Emmanuel”, Dec 13

Hope International School (HIS) welcomes you and your family to join them in celebrating the birth of “Emmanuel.” All of their elementary and middle school classes will be performing. The HIS Honor Orchestra will be performing throughout the night and will be joined by their young ensembles, the Young Royals, the Intermediate Orchestra, and the Beginning Orchestra.

All ages. VIP RMB 120-140 / General Admission RMB 60-80. 7pm – 9pm. Onnuri. Laiguangying West Road, JiangDa Wuye, Yuan Nei Dadi Gongsi, Chaoyang District. RSVP: wood.kaliyah@hopeintlschool.org

F2N Christmas Market, Dec 14-15

On December 14-15 and 23-24, over 50 vendors will provide you with a fabulous Christmas Market, with gifts, workshops, food, and drinks. Come to F2N Market with your family and friends to enjoy an incredible seasonal shopping experience.

All ages. Free admission. 12pm-6pm. The Grand Summit, 19 Dongfang Dong Lu, Liangmaqiao. WeChat: F2NMarket

World Volleyball League Charity Gala, Dec 14

Be a part of this year’s World Volleyball League Holiday Charity Gala benefiting Lost Puppies of Beijing. Everyone is welcome to attend. The dress code for the event will be black tie for men and evening gown for women. There will be a three-course meal for all attending guests, a live band providing the entertainment, followed by a silent auction towards the end of the night. There will also be special drinks on offer. All proceeds from the silent auction plus RMB50 from all ticket sales will go to support the Lost Puppies of Beijing. Tickets cost RMB300. Feel free to bring a friend or come alone in order to support this worthy cause.

All ages. 5.30pm-midnight. Oh Yeah! Brewing Co. Guomao. WeChat: WVBL-Information

Münchner Symphoniker, Dec 15 

The orchestra takes as its motto and as its remit the maxim “The Sound of our City”; with its four subscription concert series in Munich’s grand venues, it is well-established as one of the city’s most renowned ensembles, and when on tour, it takes that “Sound of our City” far and wide beyond the city limits, under the masterful conductor Kevin John Edusei, one of the youngest and most promising conductors expressing delicacy and clarity in his technique thanks to his deep understanding of the score. Cellist Tatjana Vassilijevam described as a ‘phenomenon’ thanks to her massive repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary music and a few acclaimed works of her own, shall also be in attendance. One business day shall be needed to confirm the availability of tickets, after which a confirmation email shall be sent. Proof of confirmation email shall be shown in exchange for a physical ticket before entry.

Kids 1.2 meters and above. RMB 400-680.  7.30 pm. National Centre for the Performing Arts – Concert Hall. 2 West Chang’an Avenue, Xicheng District. www.247tickets.com

Musical: Les Choristes, Dec 19-29

The Chorus is a 2004 European drama film directed by Christophe Barratier. Co-written by Barratier and Philippe Lopes-Curval, in which a new teacher joins a boys’ boarding school which is heavily administered, and finds a way to give the boys a much-needed diversion through music. In this iteration, the stirring story is brought to life on stage in a captivating performance, all delivered in Chinese, accompanied by a live orchestra, music, and dancing. Whether or not you have lived the magic that is the 2004 film depiction, it is to be a truly spectacular performance you won’t want to miss.

RMB 180. Er Qi Theatre, 15 Er Qi Ju Chang Lu, Xicheng District. www.247tickets.com

Beijing Playhouse Kids Theater Camps, Dec 23-Jan 4 

This festive season, let your child learn, have fun and be a part of a remarkable production of Robin, A Legendary Hero, at the Beijing Playhouse. Founded in 2005, Beijing Playhouse is the largest, most professional Broadway theater producer and English theater education program provider in China, where your children will learn numerous facets of theater production. Among them are: putting on a real theatrical production, acting, singing, dancing, costume designing, and prop making. They will also experience the process of production from start to finish, beginning with auditions, rehearsals, and eventual performances. Kids will experience the whole process of producing a show including auditions, rehearsal, and performances, and learn to understand the balance between those on and off stage.

Ages 3+. 9am-4pm. Dadao Studio, No. 52 Yard, Sunhe. WeChat: Dadao Studio. broadway@beijingplayhouse.com

This article appeared in the beijingkids December 2019 Giving Back issue

One of the best things about being a kid are is the endless possibilities for the future. Now 6- to 14-year-olds in Beijing can get a taste of what it’s like to be an architect under the guidance of professional architects and designers.

KidsCity believes in inspiring and empowering the next generation of thinkers and creatives. This weekend, your young architects can spend an exciting day with like-minded kids to create the tallest hutong tower possible!

Kids will get a taste of what it’s like to be an architect for a day. They will learn about the designs of Beijing’s traditional alleyways and high-density buildings in our big bustling city. The day will be spent using city layout plans, designing roads, planning parks, and creating cool buildings with fellow future architects under the guidance of architects and designers that will lead them every step of the way in a fun outdoor activity in 798 art district.

KidsCity Vertical Hutong, Sept 15

Ages 10+. RMB 350. Scan QR code to register.  11am – 3pm. KidsCity. 751 D·PARK A6 Roling Center Square, Chaoyang District. Contact (WeChat ID) seba1988 for more information. 751 D·PARK 北京时尚设计广场 A6荣麟中心广场

Photos: KidsCity

The holiday season is fast approaching, and that means Christmas fairs, turkey roasts, gift wrapping, and, of course, a toasty, warm house filled with the buttery smell of baking. But instead of dealing with cleanup, or for a lux change of scenery, book a class with you and your family at Domain.

Located at the swanky EAST Hotel near 798, we think many families in know agree the outlets at East and the connected Indigo Mall make for a great weekend family excursion. To sweeten the deal they will be hosting their Little Chefs cooking classes series from now through the holidays. Classes in the past include Halloween themed cookie baking and traditional Chinese mooncake making. 

For this holiday season, there are two yummy cooking classes still available; baking mini apple pies for Thanksgiving and assembling your own ginger bread house for Christmas.

Pie making is deceptively easy, and the best way to demystify rolling and kneading dough is to learn from an experienced teacher. Have fun with your kids making delicious apple pies for Thanksgiving, with classes on Nov 10 and 17 starting at 2pm. 

Consisting of gumdrop stepping stones, candy cane gates and roof eaves thick with frosting, gingerbread houses are fun edible sculptures that are our personal nostalgic favorites. Take home a charming gingerbread house with classes held on Dec 8, 15, and 22 starting at 2pm.

Every class costs RMB 328 and includes a glass of free juice for the kids. For reservations, call EAST Hotel at 8414 9830.

Photos: andersruff.com, brighteyedbaker.com, wilton.com