Mar 5-10: NCPA Drama ‘Look West to Chang’an’

Courtesy of promoters

The five-act realistic comedy drama Look West to Chang'an is based on the 1956 work The First Political Fraud Case of the New China.  Chinese writer Lao She’s unique and humorous writing makes the drama, full of absurdities and trickery, even more vivid when brought to the stage. 

Through Sun Mar 10, 7.30pm; RMB180-380; National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 6-10: Beijing Fayuan Temple

Courtesy of promoters

The National Theatre of China brings you Beijing Fayuan Temple. The production is scripted and directed by renowned director Tian Qinxin and the story is adapted from modern historian and writer Li Ao’s first novel. Travel back to the times of the Qing Dynasty in this thought-provoking and emotional drama. 

Wed Mar 6-Sun Mar 10, 7.30pm; RMB680-1080; National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 7: Beijing Monologues

Courtesy of promoters

Thrive Beijing puts on another Beijing Monologues event this month. Stop by The Local to hear some amazing stories! 

Thu Mar 7, 7.30-9.30pm; RMB50; The Local, see event listing.

Mar 8: Allman Brown 

Courtesy of promoters

UK folk artist Allman Brown lands in Beijing early this month. The breakthrough artist is best known for his hit ‘Sweetest Thing,’ which reached 15 million streams on Spotify by the end of last year. Since his debut album 1000 Songs in 2017, Brown has also released an EP titled Bury My Heart. 

Fri Mar 8, 7.30pm; RM80 (advance), RMB100 (door); Dusk Dawn Club, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 9: 'Republican Ladies & The Women of Dashilar' Walking Tour 

Image via Pixabay

How did women in Dashilar change throughout the Republican era of Beijing? Join this walking tour led by Beijing Postcards, as they take you through the old Beijing neighborhood – a former center of development with its modern shops, newspapers and more. As the capital slowly caught up with modern society, women experienced a newfound sense of freedom and opportunity with the crumbling patriarchal structures. The tour will take a little over two hours, including a post-walk exhibition.

Sat Mar 9, 2pm; RMB300; Beijing Postcards, see event listing. For more info, visitbjpostcards.com.

Mar 9: Mardi Gras Drag Brunch 

Courtesy of promoters

Home Plate is throwing a Mardi Gras bash like no other, hosting a brunch and drag show featuring 12 performances by the Haus of Lily queens. Come for the stellar lineup of fabulous performers, stay for the brunch buffet and discounted pints of Slow Boat brews. 

Sat Mar 9, 12-3pm; RMB250/person;Home Plate BBQ (Sanlitun), see event listing.

Mar 9: Rumble in the Jumble's 'Femme Festival Bazaar'

Courtesy of promoters

This Women's History Month, in celebration of the countless triumphs of women around the world, Rumble in the Jumble is seizing the day with their Femme Festival market! With a wide array of vendors featuring delicately hand-embroidered clothing, hot-as-hell hummus, vintage clocks and man-made gemstones. You can also enjoy some pop-up poetry by Boriqua in Beijing and on-the-spot tattoos by Black Rabbit!

Sat Mar 9, 12-6pm; Modernista, see event listing.

Mar 9 & Mar 10: 'Dancing Between Heaven and Earth' 

Courtesy of promoters

Having performed international audiences across the globe since its establishment in 1952, the Chinese National Song and Dance Ensemble will bring the songs and dances of China’s ethnic minority groups to the NCPA stage. Watch the lively stage light up with diverse traditional dances such as Tibetan, Uygur, Mongolian, Zhuang, Hui and Kazak. 

Sat Mar 9 & Sun Mar 10, 7.30pm; RMB80-960; Opera House at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 10: Mohammed Magdi

For one night and one night only, catch comedian Mohammed Magdi in Beijing at The Bookworm! Winner of the Bangkok International Comedy Festival in 2017, the stand-up artist has also been featured on Comedy Central.

Sun Mar 10, 8pm; RMB120 (presale), RMB150 (door); The Bookworm, see event listing.

Mar 12: Paul Draper 

Courtesy of promoters

Former front man of iconic ‘90s band Mansun, Paul Draper will make his China debut with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. He’ll be performing an acoustic set, joined by guitarist Ben Sink. 

Tue Mar 12, 8.30pm; RMB120 (advance), RMB150 (door); Omni Space, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 14: Jim Gaffigan 

Courtesy of promoters

Jim Gaffigan is a Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, New York Times best-selling author, top touring performer and multi-platinum-selling father of five. Known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around fatherhood and his observations on life and food, he has a whopping five comedy specials on Netflix and recently released his very own special "Noble Ape" direct to fans online. Basically, Jim Gaffigan is hilarious and this show is bound to be a good one. A limited number tickets remain: snag them while you still can!

Thu Mar 14, 8pm; RMB280-680;Super Theater, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 14-16: Les Ballets de Monte Carlo ‘Cendrillon’ 

Courtesy of promoters

The French choreographer and director of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Jean-Christophe Maillot, brings his interpretation of the beloved fairytale classic Cinderella to the NCPA stage. Don’t miss the ballet Cendrillon, focused on the emotions and movement of the characters to tell a different story. 

Thu Mar 14-Sat Mar 16, 7.30pm; RMB160-880; Opera House at theNational Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 14-24: Is It Loud Enough?! Club Culture Between Berlin and Beijing

Courtesy of promoters

Both famous and influential worldwide for their vibrant club scenes and experimental music pioneers, the party worlds of Beijing and Berlin are ready to meet and join forces for ten days at Zhao Dai. In collaboration with Goethe-Institut Beijing, 'Is It Loud Enough?' will feature talks about the history of nightclubs in Berlin and Beijing, what collectives mean in club contexts and what role feminism and gender play in club culture. Other events will also focus on the influence of design, art and architecture on the scene. 

Thu Mar 14-Sun Mar 24, various times; Zhao Dai, see event listing.

Mar 15-31: The 12th Bookworm Literary Festival

Courtesy of promoters

Check out the complete schedule of the The 12th Bookworm International Literary Festival. The just-over-two-week program brings together a host of authors and creatives from China and abroad and includes dozens of talks, panels, performances, workshops, quizzes and more. 

Fri Mar 15-Sun Mar 31, various times; The Bookworm, see event listing.

Mar 16: The Underground Youth 

Courtesy of promoters

After selling out shows and rocking the stages of huge festivals across Europe, British psych-rock band The Underground Youth is bringing the noise to Beijing. Don’t miss their rowdy gig at Omni Space in the middle of the month. 

Sat Mar 16, 8.30pm; RMB120 (advance), RMB150 (door); Omni Space, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 16: JMSN 

Image via JMSN/Facebook

American singer-songwriter and producer JMSN will hit the Beijing stage with his unique style of alternative R&B. Don’t miss the Detroit native’s striking and emotional performance at Yue Space. 

Sat Mar 16, 8pm; RMB160; Yue Space, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 16: Slow Boat Brewery Beer Tour 

Courtesy of promoters

Love Slow Boat brews? Discover how they’re made inside their brewery: RMB150 gets you a tour, Q&A session, one hour of free-flow beer and more. 

Sat Mar 16, 2-4pm; RMB150; Slow Boat Brewpub, see event listing. 

Mar 17: Amadou & Mariam 

Courtesy of promoters

International sensations Amadou and Mariam will bring their genre-blending Afro-blues music style to the capital. The blind Malian married couple has been creating music together for the past three decades, mixing traditional West African sounds with R&B, folk and pop. 

Sun Mar 17, 8pm; RMB180 (advance), RMB220 (door); Tango, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 18: HONNE 

Courtesy of promoters

Electro-soul duo HONNE is back for another China tour with a stop in the capital. The funk masters reinvent classic soul music, as you know it, distilling it with poppy synths and giving it a funky electronic edge. Don’t miss them their second time around in Beijing in the middle of the month. Until then, read up on the band in our interview from last year.

Mon Mar 18, 8pm; RMB320 (advance), RMB360 (door); Tango, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 20: Tantan’s CEO on Their Secret to Success 

Image via Pexels

Since its launch in 2015, Chinese leading dating app Tantan reached 20 million active users. Always wanted to know the secret recipe of the app’s enormous success? Don’t miss out an opportunity to listen to Yu Wang, co-founder and CEO of Tantan at the end of the month.

Wed Mar 20, 6.30pm; RMB380;Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China, see event listing.

Mar 21-23: Little Women 

Courtesy of promoters

Growing up, falling in love and finding your voice – these are all at the heart of the coming-of-age story Little Women. The classic that instilled inspiration and had a tremendous impact for countless generations is coming to Beijing at the end of the month. Don't miss the chance to experience the intense movement and sound of the Chapterhouse Theater, as they bring the tale of the four sisters to life. 

Thu Mar 21-Sat Mar 23, 7.30pm; RMB80-380; Nine Theater, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Mar 22-29: Gallery Weekend Beijing 2019

Courtesy of promoters

Gallery Weekend Beijing (GWBJ) is back for the third year in a row with an exciting lineup of up-and-coming exhibitions at various galleries around the city. The week-long event offers national and international audiences a chance to observe artists within more personalized context and to immerse themselves in one of the world’s burgeoning centers for culture. 

Fri Mar 22-Fri Mar 29; various venues, see event listing. For more information, add WeChat: GWBJ2019.

Mar 22-Apr 14: School of Rock

Courtesy of promoters

School of Rock, the latest work by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a living legend that brought you immortal masterpieces such as The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, will be shown in Beijing. Reimagined as a musical, School of Rock brings new joy and energy to the hit comedy film.

Fri Mar 22-Sun Apr 14, various times; RMB380-1180; Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

CANCELLED Mar 23: Cloud Nothings

Courtesy of promoters

Loud, frenetic and almost always playing to a room of shoulders ricocheting off each other, the indie-grunge rock group bares scant resembling to their quiet beginnings of lo-fi, bubblegum emo punk. Nearly 10 years later, their most recent release Last Building Burning serves as another tug in the direction of a maturing, adult angst in an angry and energizing eight-track release that can be heard in live houses across China this month.

Sat Mar 23, 9pm; RMB150 (advance), RMB180 (door); Omni Space, see event listing. 

Mar 23 & 24: Jing-A Ski Trip

Courtesy of promoters

Join Jing-A for two days of late-season skiing in Chongli. Including a one-night stay at the Wanlong Resort, lift tickets and equipment, lunch and, of course, a lot of cool Jing-A drafts, this is sure to be a great way to say goodbye to winter.

Sat Mar 23 & Sun Mar 24; RMB1800/person; Wanlong Resort (Chongli), see event listing.

Mar 23 & 24: Cherry Coffee Festival

Courtesy of promoters

The first Cherry Coffee Festival brings together the best of international and local specialty coffee under one roof. Apart from serving up great coffee, the two-day festival also features industry talks and demonstrations by specialty coffee world champions, a screening of Portland-based Stumptown Coffee’s documentary Flower of Flowers and a lineup of nearly 25 international and local cafes, including the famed Intelligentsia Coffee from Chicago. Stay tuned for our ticket giveaway!

Sat Mar 23 & Sun Mar 24; 10am-6pm; Beijing 24H Gear Factory Creative Park, see event listing.

Mar 29-31: Beijing Invitational Craft Beer Festival 

Courtesy of promoters

Great Leap Brewing is hosting the fifth installment of the Beijing Invitational Craft Beer Festival. The beer extravaganza is spread across five all-you-can-drink three- or four-hour sessions from Friday to Sunday. Tickets will give you access to over 80 unique beers per session with 40 different breweries in attendance, as well as all-you-can-eat canapés provided by TRB. 

Fri Mar 29-Sun Mar 31, various times; RMB228/session; TRB Copper, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Through March

UnTour Food Tours: Beijing Hutong Breakfast Tour 

Courtesy of promoters

Early risers can get a taste of an authentic and traditional Beijing breakfast that goes back thousands of years in China’s food history. Join UnTour Food Tours as they take you through the hutongs to enjoy over 10 delicious dishes with a group of your new foodie friends. 

Wednesdays & Sundays, 8am; RMB 210-420; meeting point will be emailed after ticket purchase, see event listing. Buy tickets here.

Weekly Spring Specials @ Mosto 

Courtesy of promoters

In preparation for warmer days, Mosto has debuted weekly specials such as happy hour from Sunday to Thursday, featuring RMB65 sharing plates, RMB38 oysters and RMB40 glasses of their house wine, a steak and wine night on Tuesdays, ladies night on Wednesdays and even a special Sunday dinner deal on their roasted chicken. 

Weekly; Mosto, see event listing.

Italian Aperitivo @ Ponte 

Courtesy of promoters

Enjoy Saturdays in true Italian style with Ponte’s Italian Aperitivo special. For RMB120, indulge in imported cold cuts and cheese, along with free-flow wine and beer. 

Saturdays, 6.30-9pm; RMB120/person; Ponte, 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.