Sep 6: Jessie J

Courtesy of promoter

Jessie J returns to China for her R.O.S.E. World Tour, with confirmed dates for 10 cities in China, including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin. The concert will see her perform songs from her fourth studio album of the same name. Released in May, shortly after her Singer bid, the album sees her veer away from the ‘power pop’ of her previous work and take a bold new direction towards old school R&B and hip-hop. Catch up with the singer in our recent interview here.

Thu Sep 6, 8.30pm; RMB380-1280; Cadillac Arena, see event listing.

Sep 7: D.A.N.

Photo via D.A.N./Facebook

After coming down from Fuji Rock Festival fever, Tokyo’s rising alt-pop stars D.A.N. take on China with a four-city tour. Drawing inspiration from bands like The xx and Caribou, the groove-makers have garnered rave reviews from across the globe. Dance yourself clean to their hypnotic, minimal beats. 

Fri Sep 7, 9pm; RMB120; Yugong Yishan, see event listing.

Sep 7: 'Reduce Your Plastic Waste' Talk

Image via Pexels

If you want to do something nice for the environment, start by reducing waste. This educational talk, organized by SwedCham and chaired by Åsa Stenmarck from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, will offer tips on how to do just that. You will also learn about waste-reducing initiatives taking place in both Sweden and China. Ticket price includes 2 drinks and snacks. 

Fri Sep 7, 6.30-8.30pm; RMB150 (members), RMB300 (non-members); The Bookworm, see event listing.

Sep 8: Bilal

Photo via Bilal/Facebook

What hasn’t Bilal done? Hailing from Philadelphia, the dynamic neo-soul art- ist has been on the radar since his 2001 debut 1st Born Second and has released several internationally-celebrated solo works as well as collaborate with artists like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kimbra, and Kendrick Lamar – most notably on the rapper’s revolutionary album To Pimp a Butterfly, which earned Bilal his first Grammy Award. 

Sat Sep 8, 7.30pm & Sun Sep 9, 6.30pm; RMB200-400; Blue Note Beijing, see event listing.

Sep 8: Xian Beer Olympics

Photos via Xian

Beijing’s paean to craft beer – Xian bar’s Craft Container – is hosting a blowout this September. And guess what? It’s competitive. Xian’s inaugural ‘Beer Olympics’ will see teams compete in an action-packed schedule of beer-centric games. The ultimate victors will win staycations at EAST Beijing. Sign up in a group of three for RMB600 total, and that’s RMB200 for a full day of beer-drinking and pizza-eating, plus the chance to win prizes. Not a bad deal. Not into competing? No worries – spectator passes (RMB300) are available for those who are less confident in their beer pong skills. And spectator can enjoy free-flow craft beer, too. Cheers. 

Sat Sep 8, 4-8pm (competition), 8pm-onwards (afterparty); Xian, EAST Beijing, see event listing.

Sep 8: Full Moon Party

Photo via YIN on 12

The Mid-Autumn Festival and all its related activities (moon-watching, anyone?) fall at the end of the month, but you don’t have to wait that long to party under the moon and the stars. One of the best places to admire the Beijing sky is undoubtedly YIN on 12, which has one of the slickest terraces in town. Drink the night away on its beautiful outdoor deck and dance to beats by the bar’s resident mixer DJ SunMeng and special guest DJ Edmund, all while looking down at the city from the 12th floor (or gazing up at the sky – this is a full moon party after all). And if you want to feel even closer to the stars, check out the event’s special VIP package. 

Sat Sep 8, 8pm till late; RMB100 (early bird), RMB150 (door), RMB990 (VIP table); YIN on 12, see event listing.

Sep 12: 'Fintech–The Game Changer in Financial Sectors' Talk

Image via Pexels

Fintech, AKA financial tech, is a game changer. Find out all about it for yourself at AmCham’s forum where you can guarantee that all the latest Fintech trends, challenges, technologies and big questions will be talked about. 

Wed Sep 12, 2-5pm; ticket price varies; Naked Hub Sanlitun, see event listing.

Sep 13-20: Mads Mathias 

Courtesy of promoter

CHAO Hotel and the Danish Embassy are celebrating all things Denmark with ‘Danish Happiness Month’ – an event featuring various cultural activities from mini exhibitions and baking courses to music performances by the country’s own jazz sensation Mads Mathias, a charismatic singer-songwriter who is sure to steal any music lover’s heart. 

Thu Sep 13-Thu Sep 20, 8pm; CHAO Living Room, see event listing.

Sep 14: Slowdive

Photo via Slowdive/Facebook

The ’90s shoegaze darlings Slowdive grace audiences with a show at Tango this month. After a lengthy hiatus, the British band’s resurrection came in the form of a self-titled album, freshly charged with mellow hits like ‘Sugar for the Pill’ and ‘Star Roving.’ Tune in to their ethereal indie rock and peacefully sway all of your worries away. 

Fri Sep 14, 8.30pm; RMB300 (presale), RMB350 (door); Tango, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Sep 14: Mild High Club

Courtesy of promoter

Mild High Club's music is exactly what you'd expect from such a suggestive band name – catchy and effortlessly cool. Chicago native Alex Brettin, the man behind the moniker and the music, specializes in psychedelic pop in all its fuzzy glory, with groovy synths and lo-fi goodness. He is like a tamer Mac DeMarco – an unavoidable comparison that hits you from the first sound of his cheery vocals, slinky guitar riffs and playful reverberations. Mild High Club’s show at Omni Space this month marks his China debut. 

Fri Sep 14, 8.30pm; RMB160 (presale), RMB200 (door); Omni Space, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Sep 14-16: Startup Weekend – Women Entrepreneurs

Image via Pexels

Designed to help women achieve their startup goals, this startup weekend offers sessions on brainstorming, business model creation, product prototype design and marketing. The final session is a road show. Share experiences, form strong relationships, and turn your entrepreneurial dream into reality. 

Fri Sep 14-Sun Sep 16, People Squared, see event listing.

Sep 15 & 16: Great Wall Camping

Photo via Pexels

Alas, the Airbnb contest for a free stay on the Great Wall eventually came to nothing (see p. 7). But as it turns out, that was not the only chance for you to sleep on top of the world’s longest wall: follow Beijing Hikers in their all-inclusive, bad-weather-proof hike with tents and sleeping bags delivered to the site. 

Sat Sep 15-Sun Sep 16, from 10am; RMB1,600, RMB1,440 (members); departure from Lido Hotel Starbucks or Liangmaqiao subway, see event listing.

Sep 15 & 16: 'Be You Revive' Retreat

Photo via Pexels

After last year’s success, Women’s Retreat Beijing is back with a second autumn retreat: a two-day getaway comprising workshops and yoga classes at the scenic Singing Deer Lodge. This year’s theme: ‘Revive'. Led by Caneisha and Pauline, the event will leave you feeling fresh and fabulous. 

Sat Sep 15-Sun Sep 16, 10am-8pm; RMB1,800-2,400; Singing Deer Lodge, see event listing.

Sep 15-Oct 14: Sino-French Month of the Environment

Courtesy of promoter

The French Embassy in China invites you to take part in the fifth installment of the Month of the Environment. The event celebrates China and France’s joint efforts to look after our planet. Choose between conferences, culinary workshops, movie screenings, ‘spectacles’ and more to learn about how we can defend our common home. 

Sat Sep 15-Sun Oct 14; various locations, see event listing. For more info and program go to cn.ambafrance.org.

Sep 21: Kesha

Image via Kesha/Facebook

Get ready, animals! The glittery and glamorous queen of party anthems is coming. The badass pop powerhouse recently announced a Beijing stop on her Asia tour this month, in support of her most recent release Rainbow. Her wildly succesful debut album Animal in 2009, studded with top-charting singles like 'TiK ToK,' thrust Kesha into the spotlight and her third release Warrior in 2012 solidifed her as a glam pop icon.

Fri Sep 21, 7.30pm; RMB280-1280; Workers' Gymnasium, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Sep 22 & 23: Upstream Gaze Festival

Photo via Birdstriking/Facebook

Omni Space is putting together a tastefully curated two-day festival with loads of China’s finest shoegaze, noise and more. Highlights include psych-rockers Mirrors and Boiled Hippo, lo-fi pop out- fit The Romp and experimental punks Birdstriking. 

Sat Sep 22-Sun Sep 23, 8.30pm; RMB100-180; Omni Space, see event listing.

Sep 22-24: The Bookworm Mid-Autumn Fair

Courtesy of promoter

Mooncakes are great and all but if you’re looking for a different way to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, check out The Bookworm’s Mid-Autumn Fair. Pick up a gift for yourself or your loved one at one of the stalls selling handmade goods, fine art, jewelry and accessories and more. 

Sat Sep 22-Mon Sep 24, 2-8pm; The Bookworm, see event listing.

Sep 22-27: 'Cats' Musical

Courtesy of promoter

Beloved worldwide and based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award- winning musical Cats is a deliciously fun musical that features a cast of memorable characters, including Rum Tum Tugger and Grizabella. Expect grand costumes and choreography – a must-see for cat lovers and theater nerds alike. Ensemble founded in 1998. 

Sat Sep 22-Thu Sep 27, various times; RMB100-1,080; Century Theatre, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Sep 23 & 24: Rye Music Festival

Photo via Carsick Cars/Facebook

Rye Music Festival aims to showcase under the radar talent amid big names such as infectious indie rock idols Carsick Cars and Taiwan lyricist HUSH. With over 40 domestic and international acts across three stages, there’s something for everyone here. Come for the music festival experience, stay for your new favorite band. 

Sun Sep 23-Mon Sep 24; RMB200-600; Changyang Music Theme Park, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Sep 29: 'Midnight in Peking' Walking Tour

Image via promoter

In his 2012 Midnight in Peking, author Paul French enthralled readers with his take on the true story of a young woman’s murder from almost a century ago. Whether you’ve read the book or not, you can now relive the unsolved mystery in its original setting in an author-approved walking tour by Bespoke Beiijng. This tour features brand new historical research.

Sat Sep 29, 6.30pm (tours take place the last Saturday of every month); RMB388/person (to purchase tickets email info@bespoketravelcompany.com), see event listing.

Through September

Kinky Boots Musical

Photo via promoter

The Tony-award-winning musical Kinky Boots will take you on a ride – from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in England to the fashion capital of Milan. There’ll be OTT costumes, fabulous performances and plenty of heart. This is the “hottest musical on broadway,” (New York Times) after all. Extravagance aside, the musical is ultimately about friendship and determination. 

Through Sep 16, times vary; RMB100-1,080; Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

3x3 Wednesdays with Slow Boat

Photo via Slow Boat

On Wednesdays, resist the temptation to get a margarita with your tacos – get a pint of Slow Boat beer instead as part of Pebbles’ ‘3x3 Wednesdays.’ Make that three pints – Zombie Pirate Pale Ales are three for RMB90. Plus, enjoy free chips and salsa. 

Wednesdays; Pebbles, see event listing.

Happy Hour Deals at Rollbox

Photo via That's Beijing

Chances are you know Rollbox already for their delicious, low-priced Bahn mis (and if you don’t, best change that). But did you know they also make a damn good cocktail? Several good cocktails, in fact – and now, they’re on special. Mondays through Thursdays, cocktails are buy-one-get-one from 8 to 9pm, in addition to a whole slew of other specials (half-priced Bahn mis with every cocktail on Fridays, RMB100 for six Beerlaos on Saturdays). 

Rollbox, West side of International Wonderland, see event listing.

HeladO Wedding Photography

Photo via HeladO

Planning your special day? Now’s your chance to grab one of the best wedding photographers out there to capture you and your loved one. The Israeli multi-award-winner photographer Helad Weintrob, also known as HeladO, will be in Beijing in November and is looking for adventurous couples to shoot. The first three couples chosen will enjoy a discount – so apply before he's booked. 

If interested, email the Israeli Chamber of Commerce in China at info@ischam.org. 

Magical Balloon W T Time

Photo via W Beijing Chang'an

W Beijing Chang’an has teamed up with beauty brand FANCL to decorate W Lounge with hot-air balloons and colorful LED lights. Amidst this Instagram-worthy backdrop, enjoy a specially created afternoon tea menu featuring French-style cakes and refreshing summer cocktails. 

Daily, 2-5pm; RMB298 (single set), RMB368 (double set); 1/F, W Beijing Chang’an, see event listing.

Domain Bubbly Afternoon Tea

Photo via Domain

Afternoon tea just got bubblier. At Domain, a gorgeous set of sweets and savories now comes with an extra-decadent option: your choice of Mumm or Perrier-Jouet Champagne. Grab two glasses or, if you’re feeling extra indulgent, a full bottle. While away the rest of the afternoon (until it’s time to go to happy hour at Xian downstairs, that is). 

Daily, noon-6pm; RMB428 (per set with two glasses of Champagne), RMB828 (per set with one bottle of Champagne); Domain, EAST 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.