Feb 2: youANDme 

Celebrate something opening on Sanlitun Bar Street, rather than getting bricked up, with the launch party of new Sanlitun club Aurora. Berlin DJs youANDme, who have played their acclaimed brand of techno the world over, will perform. Support comes from Pancake Lee, Mario Yu, Tucoco and Sunk. 

Fri Feb 2, 10pm-late; RMB50 (advance), RMB80 (door); Aurora, see event listing.

Feb 3: Family Day  

The folks at Slow Boat are at it again – and by ‘at it’ we don’t mean serving up delicious suds, because they do that every day, but hosting fun family-friendly events for you and your kids. Following the success of their Christmas-themed Family Day, the crew this time around is focusing on books. Activities include bilingual story time, book crafts and a free kids’ brunch. The event is free for all to join, but registration is encouraged to ensure there are enough books for all. Hang on. Is your child a picky reader? Do they turn their snotty noses up at The Hungry Little Caterpillar? It’s OK; families are welcome to bring their own books to share, too.

Sat Feb 3, 12-3pm; free; Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub, see event listing (register via https://yoopay.cn/event/07649213)

Feb 3: Diamond D 

NYC hip-hop legend and MC Diamond D plays a DJ set at Yue Space, alongside local MCs Purple Soul, Half a Blunt, DJ Kut Daily and Believe.  

Sat Feb 3, 8pm; RMB150 (advance) RMB200 (door), Yue Space, see event listing.

Feb 3: The Hidden Bar  

Beijing Experience invites you to the soft-opening of a new space in Sanlitun. The multi-use area is ideal for events or use as a photo studio, bar, cinema and more. The digs are so underground that it’s pretty hard to find, though it’s about half a kilometer north of Hujialou subway. Once you find it, expect chill beats, dancing and discounts on selected drinks.

Sat Feb 3, 7.30pm-late; free; 550m north of Hujialou subway, Chaoyang 朝阳区离呼家楼地铁站北550米 (for venue details and to pre-register, add WeChat ID: 13071139166)

Feb 4: Backspace and Agoraphobia  

Check out a double-header of Chinese indie rock with Backspace and Agoraphobia. Backspace is a newly-founded outfit, but they’ve already recorded with local legend Yang Haisong. Meanwhile, Agoraphobia’s cred comes from opening for Birdstriking last year. 

Sun Feb 4; 9-11.30pm; RMB50 (advance), RMB60 (door); Dusk Dawn Club (DDC), see event listing.

Feb 5: Super Bowl  

It’s Super Bowl time and you know what that means: An early morning wake-up call to watch American gridiron in your favorite pub until noon. This year, Justin Timberlake returns (he previously performed with Janet Jackson, or should we say, left her for dead, in 2004) with his new lumberjack beard to provide the halftime entertainment. Expect drinks and breakfast specials at venues playing the game. 

Mon Feb 5, 6.30am-12pm; price varies; multiple locations (for a complete list of places to watch the game, click here)

Feb 9-10: The Nutcracker   

The Guangzhou Ballet breathes life into timeless classic The Nutcracker with a two-day performance at NCPA. Since its premiere in Saint Petersburg in 1892, the two-act ballet has charmed audiences worldwide with its grand music, including Tchaikovsky’s famous score, and charming choreography. 

Fri Feb 9-Sat Feb 10; 7.30pm; RMB100-1392; NCPA, see event listing (tickets via http://en.damai.cn).

Feb 10: Turner Sparks   

Comedian Turner Sparks brings the lolz to Beijing this month, thanks to Comedy Club China. The NYC-based joker used to be a mainstay at Shanghai’s Kung Fu Komedy club and is a multiple finalist in the Hong Kong International Comedy Competition. Sparks’ booking, CCC’s first show at The Great Outdoors.

Sat Feb 10, 8pm; RMB100 (includes a free drink) ; The Great Outdoors, see event listing. 

Feb 10: Hand-Pulled Noodles and Dumplings  

We know you love eating noodles and dumplings but we bet you a dozen jiaozi that you don’t know how to make ‘em. Discover how to do just that at China Culture Center’s cooking class, where you will learn how to pull thin noodles and prepare dumpling skins and fillings. 

Sat Feb 10, 4-6.30pm; RMB250; China Culture Center, see event listing. 

Feb 13 & 27: Mental Health Peer Support Group  

If you’re feeling stressed or just need to talk to somebody, check out CandleX’s bi-weekly support groups.  The international community-focused groups provide a safe space for people to share their experiences in a confidential setting. The sessions are held in English, with a maximum number of seven people per session. CandleX is a Beijing NGO focusing on mental health.

Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 7.30-9pm; free (donation-based); CBD in Chaoyang (location open to confirmed participants, register via https://sojump.com/jq/13246056.aspx)

Feb 14-Mar 2: Specials at The Great Wall Hotel 

The Great Wall Hotel is offering up lots of tasty options this February. Come by on Valentine’s Day for a romantic French meal featuring steak and raspberry tiramisu. Or, wait until the Lunar New Year and enjoy group meals for 4-10 people. 

Feb 14-Mar 2; The Great Wall Hotel.

Feb 15: Chinese New Year at Yue Feng Ge  

Yue Feng Ge has 10 exclusive set menus for Chinese New Year. Dine in style with symbolically lucky dishes, and slide your way into the Year of the Dog with prosperity.

Thu Feb 15; Yue Feng Ge (V-Continent Beijing Parkview Wuzhou Hotel), see event listing. 

Feb 15: Valentine’s Day at EAST  

The ever-enjoyable EAST, Beijing is serving Valentine’s Day specials for every taste. At Feast, enjoy their signature Surf and Turf buffet, featuring the finest steaks and seafood, plus free-flow wines, beer and roses. If you’re craving sushi, hit up Hagaki, where the special menu includes sashimi, star rolls and a special Valentine’s Day desert. And no matter where you go for dinner, keep the romance going at Xian, where they’ll be offering ‘Bubbly Love Champagne’ packages, featuring Perrier-Jouët and damn tasty oysters.

Thur Feb 15; RMB388-688; EAST, Beijing.

Feb 15-18: Chinese New Year at NUO  

NUO Hotel Beijing is offering several Lunar New Year dinners to help you ring in the Year of the Dog. Enjoy a traditional ‘family reunion dinner’ of home-style meals with Cantonese twists, fit to serve 8-10 people. If you’re thinking a la carte, tuck into Chef Ho’s signature Poon’s Choice, a big bowl casserole. And if you’re thinking really big, you can even order a roasted suckling pig with crispy skin. 

Tue Feb 15-Sun Feb 18; NUO Hotel Beijing.

Feb 15-22: Jing-A’s Big Hongbao  

Staying in Beijing over Chinese New Year? Then you can win a year of free beer. Each beer you drink at either Jing-A location over the holiday will enter you into a raffle to win their Big Hongbao: a Mug Club membership, plus the ability to come in for a free pint every day for a year. 

Feb 15-22; Jing-A Taproom 1949 and Jing-A Brewpub Xingfucun.

Feb 17-21: Celtic Legends  

Check out Irish dancers Celtic Legends this month as they put on an amazing show of live traditional Irish dance, music and song. Established in 2001, the team has years of touring experience under their belt. Irish culture plays out to the sound of fiddles, pipes and moving ballads. 

Sat Feb 17-Wed Feb 21, 7.30pm; RMB280-1,080; Opera House of NCPA, see event listing. Tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com.

Feb 19-21: National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine  

Celebrate the Spring Festival with none other than the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, who will be performing a special New Year’s Concert. 

Fri Feb 19-Sun Feb 21, 7.30pm; RMB100-880; Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, see event listing (tickets via en.damai.cn) 

Feb 25: B’Rock Orchestra  

B’Rock is making baroque music cool again. The punks of the Early Music world will play selections from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with their innovative style alongside soloist Rodolfo Richter. 

Sun Feb 25, 7.30pm; RMB80-400; NCPA, see event listing.

Feb 27: Zhang Jing Trio  

Zhang Jing is an acclaimed guitarist who composes jazz tunes with elements of funk and rock. He’ll be playing alongside bassist Dan Zylinski and drummer Victor Bastidas.

Tue Feb 27, 9pm; RMB50 (advance), RMB60 (door); Dusk Dawn Club (DDC), see event listing. 

Feb 28: Bingo  

Games-and-burgers enclave Arcade cranks it up with its last-Wednesday-of-every-month Bingo nights. The fun-filled event, which has been certified by the Beijing Bingo Association, is a great way to get you through the middle of the week, what with plenty of beer, DJs, competition and tasty food alike. The team also promises awesome prizes and, as bingo is a game of luck, you’ve only got to be in it to win it. And if you think bingo is just for old people, you’re missing out. Arcade: challenging stereotypes since 2017. Food and drink specials include half-price mussel pots from Common Burger, RMB30 Jing-A pints and BOGO cocktails.  

Wed Feb 28; free; 8pm; Arcade, see event listing. 

Through Feb

'Fallen Blossom – Whispering'  

Artist Giovanni Ozzola examines themes of nature and construction, and how the two intersect, in his latest solo exhibition, ‘Fallen Blossom – Whispering.’ The multidisciplinary artist explores stories through the use of photography, sculptures and videos with the aim of engaging the public through sensory and cognitive experiences. Viewers may even recognize familiar scenes as Ozzola’s latest exhibition includes imagery of Beijing, such as the Beijing skyline and construction sites. The artist is originally from Italy but currently lives and works in the Canary Islands. Ozzola has exhibited all over the world, including Chelsea Art Museum in New York and Mori Museum in Tokyo, and is the recipient of several awards, such as the Premio Cairo (2011).

Through Feb, Tue-Sun, 11am-6pm; Galleria Continua.

Storytelling Thursdays  

Itching to get something off your chest? Got a really funny story to share? 4corners’ Storytelling Thursdays are made for you. Regale viewers with your stories, poems and ramblings and receive a free drink. Or, conversely, if you’re looking for a laugh or good performance, this one’s for you, too. The theme changes weekly. 

Thursdays, 9.30-11.30pm; free; 4corners.

Through March: Hot Pot Festival  

The Westin Beijing Chaoyang is serving up four different kinds of hot pot across its restaurants – though we’re most excied about the creamy cheese fondue at Grange Grill, which features raclette, gruyere and Emmental with ham.

Through March; The Westin Beijing Chaoyang.

Have an event to list? Head here to list your upcoming event. We’ll choose the best new additions to feature on next week’s edition of ‘What's On in Beijing.' Not sure where to start? Here's a full guide on how to list your upcoming events on our website.