Ho ho ho, it’s the time of the year! It’s the holiday season! The Christmas spirits are in the air even though Chinese don’t celebrate Christmas as the western do and especially that this Christmas falls on Monday so that it won’t be very crowded. Celebrate your Christmas in Beijing!
Christmas in Beijing, everything’s open: churches, theaters, restaurants, shopping malls… It’s a winter wonderland of options for tourists and travelers during Christmas in the Orient.
Find out what you can do during Christmas holiday in Beijing!
Christmas Choir at Churches
There are six Catholic and five Protestant church buildings in Beijing. In most of them, there are activities, mostly choirs, on both Christmas Eve and Christmas. Christmas choirs usually start at 7 p.m. and last for 2 or 3 hours. It is advisable that you call the church in advance for more details. Below is a short list of churches in Beijing.
Beijing International Christian Fellowship
北京国际基督教教会
About 3,000 evangelical tourists/expats meet weekly in three locations around Beijing. Meetings are held in more than 10 languages. The largest English-speaking meeting is held at the 21st Century Hotel.
For Christmas 2017, there are English Christmas events scheduled on December 24th (10 am and Christmas Eve bilingual carols 6 pm and 8 pm) at the 21st Century Hotel; and December 24th (Christmas lunch 1 pm and service 6 pm) at the Zhongguancun branch. There are also events in Chinese and other languages at other places.
Contact them for information
Venue: 21st Century Hotel, 2nd Floor, Room FA 201
40 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District
Phone: 8454 3468
Website: http://www.bicf.org https://www.bicf.org/cn/
South Church (Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Xuanwumen)
南堂 (宣武门天主教堂)
Established in 1652, it is the first Catholic Church in Beijing.
December 24th
6 am – The Mass in Latin
10:30 am – The Mass in English
December 25th
6 am – The Mass in Latin
Address: 141 West Qianmen Avenue, Xicheng District 西城区前门西大街141号
Phone: 6608 7238
Skiing Spree
Warm things up during the chilly holiday season by hitting Beijing’s hottest slopes. We have listed out a few ski resorts that offer winter fun for the whole family.
Winter Wonderland – Ski Resorts in Beijing
Great Wall
Why not go to the Great Wall with your Santa hats on Christmas day?
Hardly anyone about & you won’t need to get there early.
Go Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of people’s favourite winter pastimes, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
There are several permanent indoor Beijing ice skating rinks, but in winter you’ll find many more outdoor ice rinks popping up in the city parks. However some of them are based on the lakes, better watch out for it.
Le Cool Ice Rink
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am – 10 pm, Sun 10 am – 7 pm
Prices: RMB 120/150 for a 40-minute private lesson.
Weekdays: RMB 30 for 90 min (10 am – 6 pm), RMB 40 for 90 min (6-10 pm).
Weekends: RMB 50 for 90 min. Skate rental included.
Contact: 6505 5776
Venue: B2/F, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie 建国门外大街1号,国贸商城地下2层
Russian State Ballet: The Nutcracker
Featuring a timeless score from Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is a renowned Russian classic that has captured the imagination of generations.
Set during Christmas Eve, young heroine Clara has whisked away to the Land of Sweets after helping an enchanted prince defeat the Mouse King.
Venue: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities, 49 Fuxingmennei Dajie 民族宫大剧院, 西城区复兴门内大街49号
Date: December 23 – 24 (Sat & Sun)
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Event admission: 280 – 1,280 RMB
Ticket: Damai
CK Treasure Trove Last Minute Christmas Market
This Christmas Market is all about supporting Beijing’s best small-business vendors and the Little Adoption Shop. There will be over 30 vendors and tons of festive food, drinks, gifts and activities for kids. If you’re looking for some last-minute gifts, this is the place.
Date: December 24th 25th (Sunday,Monday)
Time: 12 pm
Venue: Workers’ Stadium
Get your fill during Christmas with the numerous Christmas buffets around the city. 4-star and 5-star hotels and upscale restaurants often offer the best in special Christmas Eve dinners and buffets, and they serve all kinds of dishes like Christmas turkey, ham, apple pie and even eggnog. Reservations are essential.
A Night of Merry Spirits at Centro
Whether you want to dance the night away or simply enjoy great music with friends, Centro is the place to be this Christmas Eve. Centro has set the scene for an unforgettable celebration with drink promotions and non-stop entertainment.
Guest DJ will be spinning on the decks and in-house live band Stank Sauce will be performing to make sure you are on your feet dancing all night long. Let’s raise a glass and make a toast, and see who Santa loves the most!
!WIN A PRIZE! Grand prize of accommodation stay at Shangri-La Pudong, Shanghai.
Date: December 22nd, Friday
Time: 9 pm – 2 am
Price: Table package starts from RMB 888
Contact: 8565 2398 / fbreservations.hbkc@thekerryhotels.com
Venue: First Floor, Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu 光华路1号 嘉里中心酒店 一层
Kerry Hotel’s Jungle Christmas Carnival
Kerry Hotel will be celebrating the fourth birthday of Jia Bao, the Adventure Zone’s adorable panda, and they’re inviting all sorts of cuddly animal friends and any Beijingers who want to partake in the festivities.
There will be plenty of fun, food, games, and prizes as well as a jungle filled with exotic animals and adventurous slides, rope bridges and more. The whole thing will be topped off with a Christmas feast and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Date: December 23rd, Saturday
Time: 10 am
Price: RMB 688 / children, RMB 368 / adult (Adventure Zone members get 40 percent off two child tickets)
Family Packages: RMB 1788 including 2 children & 2 adults, RMB 1288 including 1 child & 2 adults, RMB 988 including 1 child & 1 adult
Contact: 6561 8833
Venue: First Floor, Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu 光华路1号 嘉里中心酒店 一层
The Rug’s Holiday Set Menu
The Rug’s holiday menu is released. It is only available on Dec 23-24, and 30-31 at The Rug both locations (Sanlitun, and Chaoyang Park)
Date: December 23rd 24th 30th 31st, Saturday Sunday
Time: 5 pm
Price: RMB 799/ two people or RMB 1199 / two people
Contact: Sanlitun 6507 2342, Chaoyang Park 131 174 2511.
Venue: Sanlitun: Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu 工体北路4号机电研究院内
Chaoyang Park: Bldg 4, Lishui Jiayuan, Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu (opposite South Gate of Chaoyang Park) 朝阳公园南路丽水嘉园4号楼(朝阳公园南门对面)
Christmas Eve at FEAST
Christmas isn’t complete without a feast. So this year, Feast will have the roast with the most at their Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day all-day buffet.
Date: December 24th, Sunday
Time: 5:30 – 10 pm
Price: RMB 488/person
Date: December 25th, Monday
Time: noon – 9 pm
Price: RMB 388/person
Contact: 8414 9820 / feast@east-beijing.com
Venue: 2/F, EAST Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu 酒仙桥路22号 东隅北京酒店2层
Christmas Eve Dinner at Aman Summer Palace
Join Aman for a night of joyous Christmas celebration. Start the festivities with a glass of champagne and enjoy a delicious four course menu and a dessert buffet station.
Santa and our staff choir will join the party and make this a fun and enjoyable night. Come early for a movie screening, and special Christmas cocktails will be on offer in the Reflection Pavilion until midnight.
Date: December 24th, Sunday
Time: 7 pm
Price: RMB 1388/person
Contact: 5987 9999 / amansummerpalace@aman.com
Venue: 1 Gongmenqian Daji, Yuanmingyuan 圆明园宫门前大街1号 颐和安缦
Grand Café
Grand Café will be hosting a Christmas Eve buffet dinner and a Christmas Day buffet lunch featuring New Zealand oysters, Alaskan crab, honey glazed ham, Australian roast beef and more. .
Date: December 24th, Sunday
Time: 5:30 – 10 pm
Price: RMB 698 / person, RMB 798 / person including free flow drinks, RMB 398/per kid
Date: December 25th, Monday
Time: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Price: RMB248/person, RMB124/person kids
Venue: Grand Café, Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1 East Chang An Avenue 东长安街1号东方广场 北京东方君悦大酒店
Christmas at Migas
This year Migas Mercado will celebrate its first Christmas. They have some festive, traditional, Mediterranean style Christmas dishes! Besides Mediterranean Christmas and New Year’s Eve meals, Migas will also follow their “traditions” with plenty of drinks and great music! Champagne specials and music from the Guest DJ until late.
This festival season will definitely be unforgettable for you and your companions! Oh and don’t forget to get one “Cesta Navidad” Christmas baskets before you leave!
Date: December 24th 25th (Sunday, Monday)
Time: (24th) 6 pm – (25th) 2 pm
Price: RMB 388 / person
“Cesta Navidad Rudolph” RMB 908
“Cesta Navidad Santa” RMB 1,416
Contact: 6500 7579
Venue: 7/F, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie 建国门外大街1号国贸商城7层
Heiligabend Abend at Paulaner Br?uhaus
Enjoy a tasty four-course set menu of authentic German cuisine, with free-flow Paulaner beer, wines and soft drinks, complemented by an exciting live band performance and lucky draw.
Date: December 24th, Sunday
Time: 5 pm – 10 pm
Price: Four-Course Set Menu RMB 458/person, A la carte with entrance fee of RMB 200/person including 500ml Paulaner beer and lucky draw
Contact: 6465 3388 ext. 4212
Venue: Kempinski Hotel Beijing, 50, Liangmaqiao Road 亮马桥路50号北京凯宾斯基饭店
Christmas Dinner at JW Marriott
Enjoy a specially crafted set menu at Casalingo, their award-winning Italian restaurant, for a high-end holiday experience. Or go crazy with all-you-can-eat seafood, including lobster, sashimi, crabs, and shellfish, at JW Kitchen. Christmas just got merrier.
Date: December 25th, Monday
Time: 5:30 pm – 11 pm
Price: RMB 688/ per couple, Christmas Set Menu RMB 1,588
Contact: 6391 6361
Venue: JW Kitchen, JW Marriott Hotel Beijing Central, 18 Xuanwumenwai Street 宣外大街 18 号 北京粤财 JW 万豪酒店
Christmas at Slow Boat Brewery
Throughout the entire month of December, Slow Boat Brewery will be donating ten percent of all sales of its four most popular menu items (Captain’s Pale Ale, SOS Belgian Wit, the Classic Burger and the Dongsi Dofu Burger) to Beijing-based organization Dew Drops Little Flower, a charity that provides medical and educational support for abandoned children. Isn’t sending love is the true meaning of Christmas?
Date: The entire month of December
Time: 11:40 am – 12 am
Price: 70-100RMB/set
Contact: 6592 5388
Venue: 6 Nansanlitun Lu 南三里屯路6号
Peninsula’s Festive Brunch
Gather your family and friends together for a lavish weekend brunch enhanced by Christmas carols, fun kids’ activities and a visit from Santa Claus.
Served each Sunday in December, this splendid seasonal buffet features premium cold cuts, healthy salads, a baker’s table of fresh bread and a seafood station offering Fine de Claire oysters, Alaskan king crabs, and Canadian lobsters.
A three-course set menu will also be served, with signature dishes such as eggs Benedict with 5J Iberico ham, grilled salmon with lentils, baby artichoke and bordelaise sauce, and roast duck breast sweetcorn with kale and festive spiced jus.
Festive diners of all ages will make a beeline for the dessert buffet, with an array of indulgences including chocolate fondue, chestnut cassis tart, a traditional stollen and snowflake cookies.
Also until 31 Dec, from 6 – 10:30 pm will be the paradise for chocolate lovers! It’s time for the chocolate buffet! If the chocolate buffet is too much for you, try out the festive afternoon tea.
Date: December 3rd – 31st (Every Sunday)
Time: 11:30 am – 3 pm
Price: RMB 480
Contact: 8516 2888 ext. 6759
Venue: The Peninsula Beijing, 8 Jinyu Hutong 金鱼胡同8号王府半岛酒店
Most importantly is take a photo with Santa!
Looking for a place to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We have selected few spots for you and better book a table in advance!
Migas New Year’s Eve Party
Migas is throwing a huge New Year’s Eve extravaganza to close out another year of dancing and drinking in Beijing! Adios 2017! Ni hao 2018! It’s definitely going to be a wild celebration!
The first 200 guests get a glass of Anna de Codorniu sparkling wine!
Date: December 31st, Sunday
Price: RMB 388 / person
Contact: 6500 7579
Venue: 7/F, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie 建国门外大街1号国贸商城7层
Mei Bar
This New Year’s Eve, MEI BAR and Dom Pérignon present the most sparkling soirée in town. Dance, dazzle, sip and celebrate with an unforgettable party featuring one of the city’s top DJs, percussion beats, dancers, performers, luminous light parades and more.
Toast the finale of an incredible year with buy-one-get-one-free bottles of select Dom Pérignon vintages from 9 to 10 pm
Date: December 31st, Sunday
Time: 7 pm – 3 am
Price: Entrance is RMB 300 including a glass of Dom Perignon 2006 Brut Champagne.
Contact: 6536 0083 / beijing.mei@rosewoodhotels.com
Venue: Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou 呼家楼京广中心北京瑰丽酒店
Home Plate BBQ
Starting at 10 pm Stevie Mac and The Mac daddies will get you dancing your way into the new year! Free champagne for everyone at midnight!
Date: December 31st, Sunday
Time: 10 pm
Contact: 400 096 7670
Venue: Home Plate BBQ and The Bullpen, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu 工体北路4号院机电院内
New Year’s Eve @ Fiume
A 5 course set dinner focused on the traditional recipes of Emilia Romagna with an optional pairing with 5 Italian wines.
Moreover a great promotion on Franciacorta, the Best Italian Bubbles, is ongoing all night, together with a-la-carte wines and drinks to turn your Eve in a big festive night.
Only 30 seats available, strongly suggest to make a reservation in advance.
Date: December 31st, Sunday
Time: 6 pm – 12 am
Price: Set dinner, RMB 400 / person Wine, RMB 250 / person
Contact: 6501 9878 / fiume.beijing@gmail.com
Venue: 1/F, FX Hotel (on the side facing the river), 39 Maizidian Xijie 麦子店西街39号富驿时尚酒店1层
Hotel Jen Beijing
Raise a glass up and taste special 3 courses New Year’s Eve sharing menu with an abundant selections of Beersmith favourites.
Expect exquisite surprises all day long including Happy Hour throughout 11 am to 7 pm, Champagne specials on Veuve Clicquot two bottles only at RMB 988, and special penne with meatballs Arrabbiata is served after midnight.
Enjoy the meal with live band music that will throw a tribute Michael Jackson show starts from 9 pm, and turn the night into New Year mood.
Date: December 31st, Sunday
Time: 9 pm – 1 am
Price:
New Year’s Eve 3 Courses Sharing Menu, Served by dining area RMB 288 / person (If you book a table of 6 or more, you will get an extra treat of special crispy roasted pork knuckle.)
New Year’s Eve Party Finger Food Menu, Served by bar area, RMB 288 / person
Entry ticket after 9 pm required, RMB 100/person, including one glass of craft beer or one glass of house wine
Contact: 65052277 ext 6610 / hellobeijing@hoteljen.com
Venue: Hotel Jen Beijing, No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue 建国门外大街1号 新国贸饭店
Silvester Abend at Paulaner Brauhaus
It is the night that Beijing’s beer fans flock to Paulaner Br?uhaus for a Bavarian New Year knees-up. Get wild and be mesmerized by the tasty Paulaner beer, live band entertainment and exciting lucky draw.
Date: December 31st, Sunday
Time: 5 pm – 1 am
Price: Entry Fee RMB 200 / per person, including 500ml Paulaner beer
New Year Day Breakfast with sparkling wine at RMB 308 / person
Contact: 6465 3388 ext. 4212
Venue: Kempinski Hotel Beijing, 50, Liangmaqiao Road 亮马桥路50号北京凯宾斯基饭店
At the very end, the whole ReFoX Relocation team would like to wish you a merry Christmas and happy new year. We are looking forward to see you in 2018.