Since summer rhymes with sunny weather, it is the best time of the year to organize outdoor activities with your family and friends. Super shining grass and warm weather, let’s take a look at our picnic essentials to guide you this summer.

The location

The first step in the preparing for your perfect picnic is finding the location. Let’s dive into some possible spots to lay out your picnic blanket.

If you are willing to spend a nice afternoon at the Beijing’s largest park, Chaoyang Park offers you multiple places to enjoy the beauty of nature. Installed on soft grass, next to a lake or sheltered under large weeping willows, it is the ideal location to spend a relaxing day.

Perfect for gatherings, the National Olympic Park is a delightful place. Open from 7am to 10pm, the park offers a lake and vast areas of lush grass. This park is ideal for picnics.

If you are seeking for more spot ideas for your outing, feel free to check our other article on this subject.

The Checklist

Once you found the perfect spot, pack up your belongings and spend a pleasurable lunch. We created the perfect checklist for this occasion:

Picnic blanket and cushions

To keep your pants clean, the picnic blanket is a must! Bringing cushions will also add extra comfort.

Paper plates, utensils, and glasses

Assuring practicality, they are the fundamental of a picnic. How would you eat otherwise? You could prefer wooden or paper utensils over plastic ones for a more sustainable aspect. You can also reuse the endless utensils you receive when ordering waimai (takeout). Wine or champagne glasses will add an extra touch of fanciness to your experience.

Food and beverages

The main purpose of a picnic is eating! Try selecting dishes that are convenient to take away.

You could go for appetizers such as carrot, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and olives, all types of salads, chips, cheese, or sandwiches for example.

Do not forget to take sweet snacks as well. Store-bought or home-made biscuits, and cookies are always a hit. Fruits like strawberries, raspberries or bananas, or chocolate, which may be risky in warm weather though.

For beverages, lemonade, soft drinks, juice, smoothies, or milkshake will take the lead but make sure not to forget a big bottle of water!

The famous picnic basket

Probably the most iconic picnic detail to make your outing a little more chic than it already is.

Napkins and hand sanitizer

Covid has undoubtedly changed our hygiene behaviors forever. Always pack some hand sanitizer and napkins. It’ll come in handy, trust me.

Board games or sports games

Fun and easy games to play outdoor such as Who am I, Times up, Twister, or sports like badminton, frisbee, volleyball or football will spice up your afternoon.

A baguette

Famous in movies, how could you forget the essential piece of bread. We could recommend you the one from T11 for its crunchy crust, Chez Morel’s baguette for its authentic French taste and consistency, or the one from the Schindler’s if you tend to prefer soft baguettes.

A loudspeaker

To add a pleasant atmosphere and music to your picnic.

Swiss Army Knife and a cutting board

Much more convenient than the usual knife, the Swiss army one is portable, takes very little space, and give you access to large possibilities of blades and tools.

Mosquito spray

Do I even have to explain this one?

Plastic bags for trash

Crucial for keeping your place tidy.

Hand-held Fans

One of the best ways to fight against warm weather.

Accessories to make your picnic picture perfect

The final key to your perfect picnic is a cute decoration. Fairy lights, flowers or the classic red picnic blanket will make your afternoon even more enjoyable.

Now that your outing is organized, just call your family and friends to enjoy a nice picnic all together!

Images: Pexels, Emma Sortais, Unsplash

Public embarrassment is inevitable in Beijing – the world can be quite small sometimes, even in a big city. How awkward is it for teachers and students to accidentally meet eyes at a cocktail bar?

If you want to shun situations like this, read on for some open secrets about who goes where in Beijing, from restaurants, amusement parts, to pubs. Let’s just try to avoid the awkward moments all together.

Universal Studios

The one and only Universal Studio in China attracts all sorts of people, especially young couples. We love the Universal globe, the butter bear stand, and the Three Broomsticks. Yet most are gone from these places after scorching noon. I would argue that 2-10pm are the golden hours for adults. Before then, leave it to the youngsters.

Find it:
通州区环球大道与颐瑞东路交叉口西北角
Universal Avenue and YiRui East Lu, Tongzhong District

Chaoyang Park

The Chaoyang Park is large and maze-like, consisting of both roller coasters and picnic grounds, the largest one being “万人广场”. This is where many teenagers spend the weekend. You might see them tipping out gossip with champagne or laughing intimately to a joke in the grass. However, 万人广场 has many lush, green valleys for those who enjoy quietude, and many other picnic grounds are also nearby.

Find it:
北京市朝阳区朝阳公园南路1号
Chaoyang Park South Road No. 1, Chaoyang District
Tel: 65953490, 65065409

Moka Bros

There is no other restaurant that teenagers love more than Moka Bros, especially locations in malls such as Solana or The Place. The menu is trendy yet healthy, the walls are lit with lovely, lulling lights, and the price to quality ratio is ideal. High school students, couples, or friends dive in and out of the glass doors. If you are an adult and have no interest of bumping into students, perhaps the Sanlitun or Xidan Joy City locations will work wonders.

Find it:
呼家楼街道光华路9号天街大厦一层
HuJiaLou street GuangHua raod No. 9 TianJia Building floor 1
麦子店街道朝阳公园6号院蓝色港湾湖畔美食街南街A135号商铺
Maizi street Chaoyang park No. 6 garden HuPanMeiShi South street A135

Baker and Spice

Similar to Moka Bros and practically identical to Wagas. Many international students lunch quickly at Baker and Spice, which can be found in any commercial center. However, the environment is much friendlier to adults because soft jazz and indie pop music obscure any curious conversation. Many elders also sit in a corner with coffee, a Berliner, and books. All are in one, yet one is in none.

Find it:
Multiple locations around the city.

Playhouse Bar

High school students shun the Heaven Supermarket, but they do feverishly embrace a neon pub called Playhouse. It is a rather safe space for teenage clubbing in Sanlitun, furnished with disco temperaments and throbbing with high melodies. The afterparty is friendly towards teachers and parents, but it is wiser to party somewhere else.

Find it:
工体西路6号一层
GongTi West road No. 1 floor 1
Tel: 65060224

Assaggi

Assaggi is an Italian restaurant tucked away in the more modest streets of Sanlitun. The owner is from Venice and greets his guests with Venetian hospitality. The wicker settees are tasteful, if a little bare. The balcony is a luncheon space, decked out with seasonal flowers and trees. The greatest magic of Assaggi is that both adults and teenagers feel at home here. If you must avoid people who take panoramas of food or pose affectedly with food, skip brunch, drift in with the afternoon wind, or sweep inside with a dinner plan.

Are there any places teachers and parents territory that teenagers should not touch? Let us know in the comments below.

Find it:
三里屯北小街一号（德使馆东北角）
SanLiTun Small North street No. 1

Images: Dianping

While picnicking was more of a desperate solution than a choice for the last month, for this blog I’m talking about an entirely different picnicking experience in the wilder side of Beijing. Imagine this — you’re out in nature, surrounded by mountains, with a babbling brook running beside you and blue sky above, sitting on a picnic mat piled with fresh vegetables, homemade baba ghanoush, and a pitcher of icy sangria … Isn’t that idyllic?

That picture became a reality for me, a small group of friends, and our two fur babies in late May when the lockdown imposed in the capital become too much to bear and we just had to get out for a spell. Luckily for us, there are plenty of picnic-friendly spots outside of the city that were not subject to Covid measures. Cesar, a popular name in expat-friendly tours, put the whole thing together for us, including getting the driver and preparing a scrumptious picnic lunch.

Our driver, Peter, is a local who used to be a tour guide and driver for expats, and so he spoke English fairly well. He picked us up promptly at 8am in a clean and spacious six-seater and drove us out of the urban landscape of Beijing towards the green mountains. Our destination was Bailishan in Yanqing District, north of the city, about three hours’ drive away. Since the only baby I had that day was content to simply lay at my feet, just the quiet drive along rice fields in the countryside was already a reward in itself.

Being very knowledgeable about the local scenic spots, Peter made sure to stop at any points of interest, including some UNESCO sites of natural wonders and well-preserved landmarks. Some of these spots were fairly untouched and required a bit of trekking to get to, while others were visible right from the roadside and frequented by many locals as well. I was particularly intrigued by this rock in the middle of nowhere inscribed with “Smile At Life” — in English no less!

After a leisurely drive, we arrived at what was clearly a well-known area for picnicking. Several cars were parked and day tents dotted the grassy banks by the small river. Music and the smell of barbecue wafted through the air. We chose a poo-free spot and lay out the picnic mat and floor cushions Peter provided. My dog was absolutely thrilled to just stretch her legs and sniff to her heart’s content. She even drank the water from the river, which helped assure me of its purity, because she tends to be fussy.

PRO TIP: Put some tea tree essential oil on a bandana for your dog to keep them from bringing home some nasty little “pets”

Cesar had prepared quite the spread for us, even catering to the vegetarian requirements of a couple of people in our party. There were garlic sausages, pasta salad, and my pick of the picnic — super tasty pork tacos. There was cold lemon water and chilled sangria for all. After we ate our fill, we wandered around while Peter packed up. It was like glamping, where you get all the fun of the outdoors and none of the work!

Further along the road, Peter dropped us off at the start of a wooden walking trail that stretched for about 2km. It ran parallel to the river so we saw a gaggle of geese and a brood of ducks cooling off in the water as we enjoyed our stroll. We breathed the fresh air and bathed in the glorious sunshine along the way. By the time Peter picked us up at the end of the trail, we were ready to return home – tired, but absolutely rejuvenated from our little jaunt on the wild side of Beijing.

Cesar also offers family-friendly tours, walking tours, and bike tours. Add him on WeChat (ID: cesarcasellas) and book a tour today!

KEEP READING: Overnight Summer Camps: Magic Academy + Mountain Camp

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush, Peter Zhao

It’s spring in the Jing and that means picnics are back! Between the food, the drinks, the folding chairs, and the blankets, there’s a good amount of lifting and hauling involved in any good picnic, and you can’t forget to bring a few things to keep the kids busy. But how can you add fun without the extra bulk to cart around? Here are my go-to, easy, portable, and lightweight toys for your Qingming Festival picnic.

before you make your plans, here‘s how to check if the park you want to go to is open.

Frisbee: An oldie but a goody, frisbees are flat, light, and inexpensive. Plus, they are a two-for-one kind of toy. If you bring four they can serve as safe bases for games of tag or kickball.

Beach Balls: Beach balls are flat, light, and inexpensive (sensing a theme here). There are also a billion games you can play with them, and if they break or get lost they, well, they were only RMB 2.5 each. For a switch-up on kickball that even your smallest friends can play, have the kids kick the lightweight ball from a still position (instead of pitching it) and run the bases.

Bubbles: Who doesn’t love bubbles? But don’t bring a massive, heavy bottle. Instead, bring one or two of the tiny party bottles that can fit easily into any pocket. They are the exact right amount of liquid for 30 minutes to an hour of bubble fun, which is all you really need anyway.

Tissue Box: This is a great hack for entertaining your toddler I learned years ago from a friend. You will need to bring tissues on your outing anyway. Once you arrive at your picnic area, pull the tissues out of the box or bag and set them aside. In the empty tissue box put small manipulatives like key chains, small toys, a spoon, a leaf, a rock, etc. Then give it to your toddler and tell them it’s a surprise box! Let them reach in and pull the toys out one at a time. Then they can refill it with their own small treasures. It’s object permanence, fine motor skills, and will keep them entertained for 15 min while you unpack.

Chalk: Just don’t get the massive and heavy jug of 50 pieces. The small box is fine and the kids will have fun. If there is no concrete around, have them color on rocks they scavenge or on paper plates.

Spot It: I love this game for the entire family. It’s simple to learn but surprisingly addictive, and I would bet money your kids will beat you at it. If the kids do get bored there are alternate ways to play, and if a few cards get lost the game is still usable.

We wish you a laughter-filled and ant-free day in the fresh air!

KEEP READING: Inside Universal Beijing CityWalk’s Chocolate Factory

Images: TaoBao, Canva

Up, up, and awaaaay! Well, maybe not for a while. The weather’s great and we’re well into summer picnic season, but if you’re thinking of going to the park to fly your kite, you should probably hold off on that idea for now.

WeChat account 平安北京 published yesterday that on Sunday (Jun 13), a 64-year-old man was arrested for flying his remote-controlled drone in Dongba.

The Beijing Municipal Government issued an announcement that until July 1, all flying objects that might affect flight safety are restricted in Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan, Fangshan, Tongzhou, Daxing, and 9 other districts in Beijing. This means no drones, model air crafts, kites, or anything else that you can think of that will take flight.

These restrictions are likely due to the ongoing air training and dress rehearsals for the upcoming 100th anniversary celebration of the Chinese Communist Party next month.

So if you’re heading out to a nice family picnic in the park with your kids, leave the kites at home and go have some fun with everything firmly planted on the ground – at least until after July 1.

Images: Pexels

Update May 19: Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Jingkids Summer Fling from Sat, May 22 to Sat, May 29 (Rain date Sun, May 30). All bought and won tickets will be automatically transferred to this date. Full announcement, including how to request a refund, can be found here.

Some people light up at the idea of a potluck or a picnic. They simply can’t wait to try out that new recipe they saw on British Bake Off, or add their own twist to the delicious appetizers their friend brought to the school bake sale last year.

I love those people. I love inviting those people to every food-related event I throw or attend.

Unfortunately, however, I am not one of those people. Not in the slightest.

Yet here I am, seven years into parenting and kids who eat solid foods, acting as their primary caretaker/lunch packer/snack provider. So I’ve picked up some tricks that combine the good, the bad, and the downright healthy.

Apple slices: You really can’t go wrong. Chop them into chunks or slice them thin like chips. Hydrating, yet satisfying!

Salami-wrapped breadsticks: A fun way to package two snacks in one, just roll them together for a tasty treat.

Have pasta leftover? Makes a good old grainy snack on the go.

Sunflower or nut butter sandwiches: I am not kidding when I say that sometimes I buy eight slices of bread, load them up with sunflower or nut butter (depending on the allergies of our friends), and cut them into 32 sandwich squares. More often than not, they become my own lunch as well!

Carrot cookies and celery sticks: If you slice carrots into thin circles, kids can pretend like they’re cookies. Add celery sticks and some raisins to trick them into more nutritious snacking.

Oat bars for the hangries: No matter if you’re trekking The Great Wall or enjoying a peaceful picnic with hundreds of your closest friends, kids are going to get hangry (hungry and thus, angry). Oat bars may be marginally healthy, but dangit, they satisfy the hangries pretty fast.

Brie and bread: It sounds fancy, but it just takes some key purchases and cutting up slices for easy consumption. Kids think it’s dessert and it can be very filling!

Halved-strawberries: Get yourself a good kg of strawberries, wash them, cut them, and chip them in half for the most perfectly sweet treat on a hot picnic day.

Water, water, everywhere: Don’t count on water bottles being available, or even fountains nearby. We’ll have them for Jingkids‘ Summer Fling of course, but you need to keep them handy at a moment’s notice when you have wee ones. I fill up every reusable bottle we own and toss it in a bag.

This is a bit of a tease since it’s hard to find Goldfish in Beijing. But you get the point.

Filler snacks: You don’t have to be proud of these ones. But they will help while you wait in line for the delicious vendors! I’m talking Cheerios, cheese crackers, etc.

Now, the Summer Fling will have lots of great choices for food, but these few necessities can keep any Beijing kid happy and energized for as long as you want to check out the amazing summer camps in attendance!

Scan the QR code on the poster to buy three tickets for just RMB 100, with additional family and friends for just RMB 50 more! And stay tuned here to learn everything you need to know about getting to the Fling, the activities for all ages that camps will have available, and more!

KEEP READING: Hey, Wild Child! How to Scaffold Learning in Nature Play

Images: Cindy Marie Jenkins

The sun is out, and the kids are itching to play! Frankly, after the last couple of difficult months, even the adults want to gallivant and frolic in the sun. But despite the continually decreasing threat of COVID-19 in Beijing, with schools and businesses reopening and more and more families braving the outside world for the first time in as many months, there are still prevailing concerns over the safety in playgrounds and other sports arenas.

YIYA Academy is a fully immersive, English Activities Center and Library.

That is where YIYA academy comes in. As a premier full immersion English youth football and language training center, YIYA wishes to offer to Beijing’s aspiring football starts what the likes of David Beckham are giving trainees at their own world-class football academies, with an added emphasis on learning, offering their Chinese students complimentary English lessons, and availing a fully stocked three-story English book library to all its trainees. Earlier this year, in a bid to increase recognition and community engagement, YIYA had planned on partnering with various international schools, offering free football camps for students at their beautiful Chang Ying Sports Park location. Unfortunately, with the advent of COVID-19, these plans had to be shelved.

For YIYA, the goal is to gets kids out and safely playing again

No matter. YIYA is back with a bigger, better, more interactive, and fun-filled plan for Beijing’s kids, with a picnic and soccer day lined up for Beijing’s teachers on May 30, and a huge day of fun planned for the upcoming International Children’s Day on May 31. The day of fun shall include treasure hunts, face painting, balloon models, craft activities, gingerbread decorations plus an hour and a half access pass to V-FLY Trampoline World. 

The day will include treasure hunts, face painting, balloon models, craft activities, gingerbread decorations and more

Even though Beijing seems to be out of the woods as far as COVID-19 is concerned, YIYA promises to continue maintaining the highest levels of caution for all those who choose to attend by following government guidelines and wearing masks. So this International Children’s day shouldn’t be anything less than bouncing, kicking, safe fun for both kids and adults alike. All of the proceeds from the two-day event will go towards YIYA’s local school outreach program, offering soccer training camps to local schools free of charge.

KEEP READING: Top 5 Video Games Played in Beijing: A Parent’s Guide

 Photos: YIYA Academy, Unsplash

For those of us who have just arrived in this magical city, Beijing can be a big and bewildering place. Yet for all that, it’s certainly not beyond comprehension. The fact that you’re reading this article on beijingkids means you’re already off to a great start!

Nevertheless, no amount of expertly curated lifestyle content can replace the unique benefits that come with finding a solid network of veteran expats to help you get acclimated to life in the People’s Republic. These are the folks who have a litany of successes and failures under their belt, and they’re always happy to dispense these invaluable lessons to newcomers. And if you’ve made the trek with little ones in tow, you’ll want them to have a group of buddies to help ease their transition into their new home.

On Sunday, Oct 13, Expat Connection’s annual Family Fair & Picnic will be a one-stop shop for new arrivals in Beijing who want to meet families and learn about all the fun groups available for their kiddos. Featuring more than 60 activities and vendors, the event promises to be a veritable smorgasbord of everything this beautiful metropolis has to offer.

The event is free and runs from 11am to 6pm at Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) (38 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 中国北京市朝阳区亮马桥路38号). If you’re already feeling brave enough to navigate the subway system, the school is located near the Liangmaqiao Subway Station, Line 10. However if you haven’t attempted to ride the rails beneath Beijing, then maybe you’ll meet someone who can help you make sense of this labyrinthine system.

Either way, the day is sure to be replete with entertainment and activities including archery, live music, handicrafts, and sports, as well as raffles with more than RMB 40,000 in gifts and prizes.

So come on out! New friends and a lifetime of memories await.

Photos: courtesy of Expat Connection

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids’ social platforms!

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. 

The True Cost of Fashion: Who Pays the Price of Our Clothes Documentary Screening, Apr 23
The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story of “fast fashion” and asks us to consider who really pays the price for our clothing. This screening is followed by a panel discussion with experts from Beijing’s sustainable fashion industry. Adults. RMB 50 (presale tickets include one drink). Book a seat here. 7-9.30pm. The Bookworm, Sanlitun.  (WeChat: becstarnz)

Beijing BISS International School Open House, Apr 25
Beijing BISS International School opens its doors for prospective families who would like to visit the school and communicate with BISS principals to learn more about its educational strategies and get a feel of the school community. The open house is held concurrently with the exhibitions of the BISS students on April 25 (Grade 10 exhibition). All ages. Free admission. Visit this page to register. 9.30-11am. Beijing BISS International School. (RSVP: 6443 3151, admissions@biss.com.cn)

Joy EL International Academy Sports Day, Apr 26
Joy EL International Academy invite everyone to their Sports Day on April 26, with the motto of “Friendship First, Competition Second” rather than just focusing on results. Join in a wide variety of sporting events and enjoy seeing the students having a wonderful time in matches, games, and events. All ages. Free. 8.30am-3.30pm. Joy EL International Academy. (CocoLi@joyelacademy.com)

CISB StageCats Presents: Godspell, Apr 26-27
The CISB StageCats are back and better than ever with an electrifying performance of the world-famous musical, Godspell. From the legendary Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, Godspell is a highly energetic musical-comedy that retells stories and lessons from the Book of Matthew. While inspired by a religious text as its source, this show is for people of all ages, backgrounds, and tastes! Songs include the worldwide hits “Day by Day”, “Bless the Lord”, and many others. And even better – this will be CISB StageCats’ first musical production with a live band onstage! All ages. RMB 50 (adults), RMB 30 (students). Tickets can be purchased in advance at the CISB front desk or from a member of the cast/crew. Showtimes: Apr 26 (Fri) at 7pm, Apr 27 (Sat) at 2pm (matinee) and 7pm. Canadian International School of Beijing. (RSVP:patrick.connolly@cisbeijing.com, www.cisbtheatre.com)

3e Charity Community Day, Apr 27
3e International School welcomes everyone to their annual 3e Charity Community Day. Come to find bargain treasures and entertain the family with games and activities! Families are invited to sell well-maintained second-hand goods: toys, books, and other household items. Families and vendors can book a table for RMB 100 (table fees will be donated to Living Water Children’s Home). All ages. Free admission. 10am-noon. 3e International School. (6437 3344, community@3einternationalschool.org)

Joy EL International Academy Family Fair, Apr 27
Joy EL International Academy is holding its first Family Fair, where staff, students, and families come together to enjoy fun activities, games, music, and food. This year’s theme is “International Celebration” and there will be a bouncy castle, shows, booths representing the culture and cuisine of 10 countries, and more activities that take place throughout the campus. All ages. Free admission. 10am-4pm. Joy EL International Academy. (CocoLi@joyelacademy.com)

Deepen Your Relationships: Workshops for Couples and Families, Apr 27
Professional coaches Virginie Mangin and Eike Westerholt are holding a workshop on dealing with challenges in relationships. Participants will be able to explore the concrete tools for effective communication, conflict resolution, and addressing needs in a non-assertive way. Adults. RMB 350 per session. 10am-12.30pm. The Bookworm. (eike@eikewesterholt.com, info@beyondcoaching.me)

Swap, Sweat, and Smile: LIVE WITH LESS x Heyrobics, Apr 27
A swap with a sports focus, so bring your exercise clothing and gear, or come and pick up some new stuff. Adults. Free (half price pizza and drinks.). 1-4pm swapping; 4-5pm Heyrobics. Xian Bar, East Hotel. WeChat: crossboundaries

Reflect & Connect: A Coaching Seminar for Parents, Carers & Educators, Apr 27
Titi and Ben of Hill Dynamics lead this workshop for parents, carers, and educators on the topic of raising emotionally healthy children in the age of screens. Learn about setting appropriate limits and help your family connect offline. Adults. RMB 950 (sign up here). 5-7pm. EAST Hotel Beijing.

MCF Murder Mystery: Cut Loose, Apr 27
Migrant Children’s Foundation’s annual event is back, with an 80s themed interactive murder mystery inspired by the classic movie Footloose. Expect lots of 80’s music, references to 80’s pop culture, and more while enjoying a four-course meal and complimentary wine on every table. On the night, you can get involved by dressing up in eighties-themed outfits (big hair, bright make-up, neon accessories) and have a chance of winning prizes for your 80s inspired style! And, it’s interactive! So, if the spirit grabs you, you’ll be given the chance to get up and show what you can do. There will be lots of prizes throughout the evening, including for guessing the murderer, the best 80s dress, and more! Adults. RMB 550. Starts 7pm. Hilton Hotel, Liangmaqiao. (For tickets, contact WeChat ID: LornaDoone)

St. George’s Day Dinner, Apr 27
Celebrate St. George’s Day at this annual dinner that has been around for about a decade in Beijing. Join the company of 200 distinguished guests from the corporate, diplomatic and public sectors. Supported by the British Chamber of Commerce in China, this year’s St. George’s Day Dinner will take place on April 27 at the Westin Chaoyang Beijing Hotel. The event kicks off with a cocktail reception and a witty English tomfoolery by internationally renowned comedian Tim Clark. Enjoy a six-course dinner paired with fine wines. The menu includes roast beef and Yorkshire pudding as the main course, and cheeses paired with vintage port to finish! Adults. RMB 800-900. 6.30pm-midnight. The Westin Beijing Chaoyang. (RSVP: events@lehmanbrown.com or saintgeorgebeijing@gmail.com)

FilComBei: Sunday Fun Day at Chaoyang Park, Apr 28
The Filipino Community in Beijing (FilComBei) invites Filipino families and their friends to Sunday Fun Day at Chaoyang Park. Enjoy a potluck lunch while the young ones play native Filipino games. All ages. RMB 5 (for the park entrance). Attendees are invited to bring food to share with other families. 10am. Chaoyang Park West Gate.

River Blue Documentary Screening, Apr 28
River Blue spans the globe to infiltrate one of the world’s most pollutive industries: fashion. Narrated by clean water supporter Jason Priestley, this groundbreaking documentary examines the destruction of our rivers, its effect on humanity, and the solutions that inspire hope for a sustainable future. Join the documentary screening at The Bookworm on April 28 to learn about how you can use your power as a consumer to vote for ethical and sustainable clothing. Adults. RMB 70 (book a seat here). 8pm. The Bookworm

Photos: Joy EL International School (featured photo)  Valentin Antonucci via Pexels; courtesy of event organizers