It’s that time of year when Turkeys run for cover, and the word ‘shopping’ triggers anxiety in most of us. But it is not all bad! After the numerous blows, the year 2020 has dealt us all, a festive season, and all the attendant pomp and circumstance are what we need to celebrate a year which veered off course rather unceremoniously. From Christmas tree lightings to wonderfully whimsical Christmas bazaars, here are some of the yuletide season’s events you simply can’t afford to miss!

China World Summit Wing Christmas Tree Lighting

As with every year, the China World Summit Wing Christmas tree lighting promises one of the biggest and best in the city. If it is anything like previous years, expect a tree that is larger than life, decked out in the sparkliest of Christmas lights, enough to warm even the coldest of hearts in the city. If you are a fan of Christmas carols then you ought not to miss this Christmas tree lighting. Bring along the kids as they too shall be catered to with tons of fun activities to keep them pleasantly occupied while you embark on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts for your family.

The Annual Christmas Lighting at Europlaza Mall

No one said that you only have to attend one Christmas tree lighting for the entire season! Europlaza Mall invites you to its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec 12 from 5-8pm. Complete with mulled wine and Caroling, the festive mood will be in full swing, as kids also get to sit on Santa’s lap, before indulging in the Chocolate station and nibbling on delicious Christmas cookies.

AustCham China’s 2020 Christmas Party

As with every year, AustCham’s Christmas party to be held on Dec 4, is one of the events of the season! To be held at the Red Moon, Grand Hyatt, this year’s AustCham’s Christmas party is set yet another one for the books. Come and celebrate the holiday season and kick off the festive season right with cocktails, delicious food, and a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones while at it. Be sure to scan the QR code to book your place in advance as tickets go for RMB 180 for members and RMB 220 for non-members.

BritCham’s Christmas Party 2020

If you consider yourself a friend to the British Chamber of Commerce in China or indeed are a member, then this is a party you have been waiting for all year. BritCham’s Christmas Party 2020 is a chance to let your hair down, and a chance to have a good old time with friends both old and new. Usually, this event attracts well over 300 guests, so don’t waste any time in booking your tickets and securing your place for this extravaganza to be held on Dec 11, at Rosewood Hotel Beijing, starting at 6pm. Be there or be square!

KEEP READING: Beijing’s Best Family-Friendly Events Nov 20-22

Photos: Courtesy of event organizers, Unsplash

If you’re looking to amp up the holiday festivities, Beijing has no shortage of tree lightings and holiday parties. Most hotels in the city are decorating their lobbies and cooking up cookies and hot chocolates for all to enjoy that Yuletide spirit.

December 6

Christmas Tree Lighting at OASIS International Hospital

The Christmas season starts with an annual Christmas tree lighting at OASIS International Hospital. Join the crowds for some good cheer, joy, and holiday spirit. The evening will consist of musical enjoyment, performances, games for kids of all ages, good food, and prizes to be won over the night.

All ages. Free
Dec 6 from 5.30-7.40pm
9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号

Christmas Carols at The Opposite House

Enjoy a cup of mulled wine and performances by the British School of Beijing, Sanlitun choir as the kids’ voices fill the atrium.

All ages. Free
Dec 7 from 2-4pm
Bldg. 1, Taikoo Li Sanlitun North, No. 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang
三里屯路11号三里屯太古里北区瑜舍酒店
6417 6688

Jingle All The Way at East Beijing Hotel

Join the East Beijing Hotel team and kids from Beanstalk International Bilingual School UES Campus as they fill the lobby with music. This year for the holiday season the hotel put in Mr. Dino, a giant T-rex sporting a Santa hat and scarf guarding a massive red donation box collecting clothes, books, and toys all month long. In collaboration with Roundabout, this year’s donations will be given to families in Qinghai and Xinjiang provinces.

All ages. Free
Dec 7 at 3 pm
East Beijing Hotel, No. 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang
朝阳区酒仙桥路22号

December 10

Festival of Lights at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing

Take part in the annual tree lighting ceremony and enjoy a buffet filled with Christmas classics including stuffed turkey and whole roasted Christmas ham. Enjoy music by the British School of Beijing, Sanlitun choir and sip on a warm up of hot chocolate (or mulled wine for the grown-ups).

All ages. RMB 388 per person with free-flow soft drinks (add RMB 108 per person to include free-flow house wine and beer or add RMB 188 per person for free-flow champagne, house wine, and beer).
RMB 198 per kid 6-12 years.
Dec 10 from 6-9pm
Opus Lounge
1/F, Four Seasons Hotel, 48 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang
亮马桥路48号北京四季酒店1层
5695 8532

December 24

Cozy, Chic Winter Celebrations at New World Beijing Hotel

Festivities skyrocket at Yin on 12’s Christmas Eve party. Dance and celebrate with free-flowing hot rum chocolate, house wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks at the gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking the city’s holiday lights. Tickets for the party are RMB 188 per person and RMB 158 per person for early birds who purchase before December 10.

All ages. RMB 188
Dec 24
8 Qinian Jie Dongcheng
起年街8号
5960 8866, email dining.beijing@newworldhotels.com.

Family Christmas Tree Lighting at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

If you missed the one on Dec 1 here’s your chance to celebrate the Christmas season with the whole family at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center’s traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony again on December 24. Families are welcome to enjoy festive performances by a children’s school choir, HeFeng Art Foundation’s student ballet dancers, and the Sunvillage children’s choir.

All ages. Free
Dec 24 from 6-6.45pm
50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马桥路50号

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add vanessajencks on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are cancelled or scheduled as planned.
Free
Christmas Charity Bazaar for Couleurs de Chine, Nov 29
All ages. Come experience some Italian culture while also helping to raise money for a worthy cause. The Italian Cultural Institute will be hosting a charity bazaar to raise money for vulnerable children at Great Mao Mountains. Free. 10am-5pm. Italian Cultural Institute.

Women’s Only Self Defense Classes, Nov 25 to Dec 10
Ages 6+. November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women so from Nov. 25th until Dec. 10th, the Beijing American Center will be celebrating 16 days against gender-based violence with women’s only self-defense classes. Free. 6.30-8.30pm. East Gate of the US Embassy.

Open House at La Maison Montessori de Pékin, Dec 3
All ages. The French-Chinese Montessori kindergarten for 2-6 years old, La Maison Montessori de Pékin will hold open day on Saturday December 3, from 10am to 1pm. The event will include a school visit, Montessori education introduction, meeting the teachers, and activities for children. Free. 10am-1pm. La Maison Montessori de Pékin.

Star Kids Book Fair at BSB Shunyi, Nov 30 – Dec 2
All ages. Adults and kids can increase their libraries or buy loved ones gifts at the Star Kids Book Fair at the BSB Shunyi foyer. The new titles and popular authors will be available for immediate purchase. This will take place from November 30 to December 2. Free admittance. 9am-4pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi. (8047 3588 www.bsbshunyi.com)

BCIS and MCF Christmas Charity Bazaar, Dec 3
All ages. This joint bazaar between BCIS and Migrants Children’s Family is a fundraising event for MCF that features live performances, shopping, food, and mingling with friends and the wider BCIS and MCF community at the main BCIS campus. Free. 11am-3pm. Beijing City International School. (Zhuofei.yang@bcis.cn)

WAB Charity Bazaar, Dec 3
All ages. The Western Academy of Beijing’s Charity Bazaar features hundreds of vendors offering homemade gifts, holiday food and drink, and dozens of unique items for sale. Proceeds from the event will go to assist several charity organizations, including the Chi Heng Foundation, supporting HIV-affected children in rural China through education. Free. 10am-3.30pm. Western Academy of Beijing. (5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu)

Hilton Beijing Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Charity Bazaar, Dec 3
All ages. Hilton Beijing once again celebrates the holidays with its Traditional European Christmas Train & Village from December 3 to January 2017. The Christmas Village features a Giant Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and a children’s chorus from 5.50-6.30pm. There will also be over 70 bazaar booths (2-8pm) with all proceeds from sales going to support the Morning Tears Organization. Free. 2-8pm. Hilton Beijing. (jane.yin@hilton.com)

The Hutong Winter Fayre, Dec 10
All ages. This fayre brings food and artisanal products to the hutongs for a spot of shopping. There a wide selection of different goods on sale. Free. 11am-4pm. The Hutong. (159 0104 6127, info@thehutong.com)

Christmas Tree Lighting @ Langham Place, Dec 2
All ages. Join Langham Place guests and staff in ringing in the Christmas cheer with their annual Christmas tree lighting. There will be food, drinks, and a raffle! Free. 6-9pm. Langham Place. (6450 4202).

Integrating Technology with Education, Dec 1
Adults. Parents won’t want to miss the Yew Chung International School of Beijing’s (YCIS Beijing) Open Day on December 1. This Open Day presents a unique opportunity for parents to learn how technology can be effectively utilized in schools and at home as well as the undeniable benefits that these tools provide. Free. Begins at 9.30am. YCIS Beijing. (8583 3731).

Unique
Viva Beijing’s Christmas Gathering & Cookie Making, Nov 29
Adults. Celebrate the winter holidays with Viva Beijing Network’s annual Christmas gathering! There will be appetizers, drinks, and cookies on cookies to decorate and take home. RMB 180. 6.30-9.30pm. Lily American Diner.
CISCA Annual Gala, Dec 3 to Dec 4
All ages. This year The Conservatory of International Style and Cultural Arts will be performing Sleeping Beauty. The night will be full of wonder and one that will be sure to remember. Free. 4.30-7.30pm. The Conservatory of International Style and Cultural Arts.
Startup Grind Beijing, Nov 30
Adults. Founded in Silicon Valley, Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting 400,000 founders in over 200 cities. To celebrate their return in Beijing, Startup Grind has prepared one big and fun event with delicious food, drinks, and food in technology at the Hatchery. RMB 150. 6.30-9.30pm. The Hatchery. (info@jingjobs.com)
A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedy, Dec 2-8
All ages. This is not your grandmother’s A Christmas Carol. Be prepared for a zany twist on a classic story. Beijing Playhouse also invites audience member to cheer, boo, hiss and sing along as Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, a crazy man in a dress, and the Ghosts teach Scrooge the true meaning of Christmas. RMB 210 (Adults) and RMB 140 (kids and students). 7.30-9.30pm. 77 Theater, C&C Creative Park. Register here.

JZ Atelier Children Class-Bejeweled Christmas Ornaments Workshop, Dec 4
Ages 6+. This year let the children lead the way, JZ Atelier is proudly present a three weeks of special featured Christmas bejeweled ornaments making workshops. Children will make their own Christmas ornaments, wreath in their own term. RMB 990 for 3 sessions. 10am-Noon. LaiTai Flower Market. (182 1063 4921, WeChat: suttech)

Handel’s Messiah Performance, Dec 3
Ages 7+. For the 14th year running, International Festival Chorus and Peking Sinfonietta continue their annual tradition of performing Handel’s Messiah. This year’s concert will benefit Future Forest,a charity tasked with planting trees in Inner Mongolia’s Kubuqi desert to stabilize the sands and improve the local ecosystem. With every two tickets sold, one tree will be planted during next year’s expeditions. RMB 280-380. Harrow International School of Beijing. (For group tickets contact: tickets@beijingifc.org; buy tickets here).

Ongoing
Art Jamming with Eva, Saturdays
All ages. Come join kids, families, and Eva and paint your heart out every Saturday. Paint supplies are included in this pleasant Saturday afternoon activity. RMB 100. 2-3pm and 3-4pm. Fella’s.

Active Parenting Workshops: Primary School, Mondays
Adults. Parents of Primary School-aged students are invited to attend Active Parenting Workshops every Monday from October 24 through November 28 at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing). Parents will learn a set of techniques to help their child develop their human potential. Free. 10am-Noon. YCIS Beijing. (8583 3731).

Active Parenting Workshops: Secondary School, Tuesdays
Adults. Active Parenting uses entertaining and informative programs, activities, and discussion to show parents ways to raise responsible, cooperative children who are able to resist negative peer pressure. These workshops will run from October 25 through November. Free. 10am-Noon. YCIS Beijing. (8583 3731).

Best of Next Week
Morning Tears at the 2016 Winter Ball, Dec 10
Adults. Morning Tears China strives to ensure that the rights of the child are available to all children of convicts, and to enable these children to grow up in dignity and develop their full potential. RMB 650. 6.30-10.30pm. Hilton Beijing Infinity Ballroom.

Hope International School Christmas Concert, Dec 9
All ages. This show is a great opportunity for our students to perform and for the community to come together and have a good time. All proceeds will go to the expansion of the music department. RBM 50-120. 7-8.30pm. Hope International School. (wood.kaliyah@hopeintlschool.org)

A Dulwich Christmas, Dec 13
All ages. Join in DCB’s annual Christmas time festivities that features Christmas themed gifts and trinkets on sale, Christmas foods including carved turkey, smoked ham, minced pied, fruit cake, apple cider, mulled wine, and more. This year’s celebrations will also include traditional Christmas carols by candlelight for all to join in. Free. 3-8pm. Dulwich College Beijing. (6454 9068, Flora.Zhang@dulwich-beijing.cn)

Photos: The Beijing Playhouse (Zhang Xi), Ulrich Dregler, Kati, Gerhard Gellinger

This year guests can take their children to meet Santa and have a family portrait taken, balloon twisting, face painting, Christmas Caroling, Cupcake decorating. Snacks will be provided and there will be mulled wine, and gingerbread cookies that will sold that the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby.

Photo courtesy of Hilton Beijing

Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU) is hosting a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on Friday, December 9, 2011 to launch its Holiday Drive for children who benefit from the services of the United Foundation for Children’s Health (UFCH). The tree-lighting ceremony will take place in the lobby of BJU Building 2 (the new wing of the hospital). Come and see the beautiful Christmas tree, listen to a children’s choir, and receive presents from Santa. The ceremony will last from 4-5.30pm, so stop by and get into the seasonal spirit.

Bearing in mind that it is better to give than to receive, BJU is encouraging donations of children’s winter clothes, clean and functional toys, diapers, milk powder, school supplies and financial contributions. Proceeds will go to orphans and underprivileged children who are served by UFCH’s partner orphanages and foster homes. The 2011 Holiday Drive will last from December 9-31. More information can be found at the United Family Healthcare website: www.ufh.com.cn. To learn more about the work of the UFCH, visit www.unitedfoundation.org.