8 Things to Do in Beijing This Week

Jun 7: 2018 British Chamber Summer Garden Party

Celebrate summer with a garden party at the British Ambassador's Residence featuring tasty snacks catered by TRB and live music by Stevie Mac & the Mac Daddies. Cool off from all that hot, hot heat with free flow British beer, gin and tonics and Pimm's. Just your average Thursday.

Thu Jun 7, 2.30-8.30pm; RMB200 (members), RMB300; British Ambassador's Residence, see event listing.

Jun 9: The Color Run

The Color Run returns to Beijing this month. The self-described “Happiest 5k on the Planet” encourages participants to dress as superheroes and run like the Flash. Unlike so many running events, the Color Run all about inclusivity and letting everyone have a go. With no official times and no winners, even your not-so-fast friends can have a blast dousing each other in colorful paint. Registration includes loads of free goodies, an official T-shirt and of course, paint. 

Sat Jun 9, 9am and 2.30pm; RMB288/person; Beijing Garden Expo Park, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Jun 9: Devendra Banhart

Freak folk, folk rock, psychedelic folk – call it what you will, but Devendra Banhart isn’t interested in being put in a box. The singer-songwriter is a genre-bending master who plays by his own rules. He’s casually eccentric and delightfully unpredictable, crooning in English one minute and Spanish the next – even German at times. Over the course of his nine albums, the unconventional shapeshifter has remained a mystery, having created his own indefinable style. His June show at Yugong Yishan with Grammy-winning musician Noah Georgeson marks his Beijing debut. Catch up with him in our interview here.

Sat Jun 9, 8.30pm; RMB180 (presale), RMB240 (door); Yugong Yishan, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Jun 9: Global Wellness Day 2018

Give your body some lovin' this Friday with a day of wellness at Kerry Hotel. They're hosting a Kundalini yoga class, hoop dancing, an art therapy session, mindful meditation and more – don't miss out on some self-care goodness. There is limited space available so make sure to register early on by scanning the QR code in the poster.

Sat Jun 9, 8.30am-5.30pm; RMB50 (advance); Kerry Hotel, see event listing.

Jun 9: PRIDE Party

June is officially pride month – and the Center in Beijing is throwing an honorary bash to celebrate with free flow wine and live entertainment provided by drag queens. Come out to the party in your most fabulous rainbow getups and feel the love with the city's LGBT+ community on Friday. The venue will be announced on Friday in the private WeChat group.

Sat, Jun 9, 1pm; RMB388 (presale), RMB488 (regular), no door tickets (use QR code in poster to buy tickets); secret rooftop venue, see event listing.

Jun 9: White River Hike

Four hours, 12km and one big canyon: That’s what Biking Hikers promise for their big White River Hike in Miyun district. The master hikers are plotting their own route close to the river, but away from the crowds. A much-needed escape from the city. 

Sat Jun 9, 8am; RMB420 (RMB380 for members, to reserve or for more information visit www.beijinghikers.com or call 6432 2876), see event listing.

Jun 10:  Mike Vecchione 

Shanghai’s Kung Fu Komedy brings American comedian Mike Vecchione to the capital this month. A regular on Comedy Central – he has his own half-hour special – Vecchione has won numerous awards including a People’s Choice Award in 2010. 

Sun Jun 10, 8pm; RMB100 (students), RMB150 (advance), RMB180 (door); The Bookworm, see event listing.

Jun 10: Sleep Party People

Brian Batz, or Sleep Party People, grew up on Bornholm, a picturesque but isolated Danish island with less than 40,000 inhabitants. So his first tour of China in 2015 was pretty shocking. The lonesome beauty of Batz’ childhood home plays a major role in the development of Sleep Party People’s wistful, brooding dreampop. The solo artist is poised to return to China for a six-city tour this month. 

Sun Jun 10; RMB120 (presale), RMB150 (door); Mao Livehouse Beijing, see event listing.

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.