Psssst, our sister publication the Beijinger is putting on its first-ever Burger Festival this Saturday, August 17 from 4-9pm at Beijing City International School. Why should you care (besides the fact that everyone loves burgers)? For one thing, entry is free for kids under 12 (and a very reasonable RMB 50 for adults). The ticket is redeemable at any vendor for a mini-burger and beer. Water, soft drinks, and fruits will also be available to keep everyone hydrated. There will be chairs and tables provided, but you can also bring your own mat to sit on and have a picnic-style day out. For younger kids, there will be three small inflated pools filled with toys to cool off in. Plus, moms and dads can enjoy some soothing late afternoon country music from the Randy Abel Stable band.

The munchies will be spirited away by the elite eight burger joints that made the cut: Home Plate Bar-B-Que (last year’s winner), Union Bar and Grille, Tim’s Texas Bar-B-Que, Great Leap Brewing, The Local, Blue Frog, Let’s Burger and Lily’s American Diner.

The final eight were chosen through a series of online voting heats on thebeijinger.com that closed on August 5. There will be a live cook-off, with the restaurants trying to make a lasting impression. The 2013 Burger Cup winner will be decided after live voting closes at 7.30pm.

Winning will not only be left to the restaurants, as there will be raffle draw with a bike from Vedett worth RMB 1,300. Also to be snapped up is a one-night stay at the Imperial Mansion, Beijing Marriott Exclusive Apartments and more.

See you there!

Prizes includes RMB 300 vouchers for the Mediterranean restaurant AMMO Beijing, RMB 300 vouchers for the Vietnamese restaurant Va Va Voom (tbj Reader Restaurant Award Winner in 2011), and more vouchers  from the shopping mall SOLANA.

Want to win? Than be the first 30 people to sign up for beijingkids Club! Send an email at events@beijing-kids.com.

 Photo from Wikimedia commons user Dongio

Foodie families, you’re in for a treat this week: Little Yunnan is giving away a free family dinner! This charming courtyard restaurant is located near the Forbidden City and won for “New Restaurant of the Year (Chinese)” in the Beijinger’s 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards.

To give you a taste of Little Yunnan’s menu, here’s what’s in store for the Midweek Giveaway winners:

• Mint leaf salad
• Pan-fried Yunnan goat cheese
• Dai-style stir-fried beef with lime
• Stir-fried peppers with wild porcino mushroom
• Dai-style grilled tilapia fish on a hot iron plate
• And more!

To win, simply comment below with an answer to the following question: What’s your favorite Yunnanese dish?

The most creative answer wins. Contest ends on Wednesday, August 15 at 2pm.

If you don’t win, you can still enjoy 10 percent off your dinner by following Little Yunnan on Weibo (@小云南餐厅) and booking your table through private message.

Photo courtesy of Little Yunnan

Finding it hard to keep your hair nice and smooth in this hot, smoggy summer? This week, we are giving away two vouchers valued at RMB 150 each from Toni & Guy Hilton Beijing.

RMB 150 gets you one free haircut per person, so you can take your spouse or a friend! 

To win, simply comment below with the answer to the question: What’s a haircut that you’ve always wanted, but was too afraid to get?

The most creative answer wins!

Contest ends on July 16, 11am.

Photo courtesy of qianshou.com

In the spirit of pure indulgence, this week’s giveaway comes courtesy of Kocoon in Sanlitun. One lucky reader will win a free Summer Refresher Spa Package – which includes a session in a eucalyptus infused steam room, a 30-minute tension release massage or soothing head and shoulder massage and a 45-minute express facial and is worth RMB 495 – for the best describing their favorite way to indulge in Beijing.

Submit your answer in the comments below for your chance to win!

Hump Day is upon us and that means time, again, for our Midweek Giveaway! This week we’ve got two Wild Honey Tea Boutique afternoon tea sets – the "Around the World Gourmet Tea Set" (which comes with gourmet open sandwiches, delectable sweets, home made apple pie a la mode and a pot of exquisite tea, RMB 88 in value) and the "Alice in Wonderland Tea Set" (that includes a pot of kid-friendly non-caffeinated TwG South African Rooibos or T2 Fruit Tisane Tea, sweet bites, finger sandwiches and more, RMB 88 in value) – for one lucky reader who can best describe their favorite spot for dim sum (a.k.a. "Yum Cha" in Cantonese) in Beijing.

Post your comments by 10am next Monday, August 15, for your chance to win!

Read Kara Chin’s writeup of the Wild Honey Tea Boutique here.