Your Beijing Christmas Guide

Spending the holidays away from home can be depressing for expats, but Beijing’s hotels and restaurants have made sure that those staying behind won’t have a chance to be homesick. With just a week to go before Christmas, this article from the latest edition of Agenda lists the best holiday events around the city.

All month

Delicious December at Cabare At Cabare, Christmas is not about one day – it’s a month-long celebration. During December, enjoy a five-course menu for RMB 348 per person. The meal features white wine-poached turbot with roasted oyster mushrooms and champagne sauce and filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and thyme sauce. December 1-31. Cabare European Bar & Restaurant. Daily 9am-2.30am. 15-1, Bldg 15, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (5905 1760) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾15号楼15-1号

Weekends in December

The Longest Christmas Table in Beijing Get in the Yuletide spirit at the holiday market that takes place in Solana every weekend in December from 11am-6pm. Participants include Cabare, Invito, Water, Café Bellissimo and The Swiss Restaurant.

Solana Shopping Mall 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾15号楼15
1) Cabare European Bar & RestaurantDaily 9am-2.30am. 15-1, Bldg 15, Solana (5905 1760) 蓝色港湾15号楼15-1号
2) Invito 意吻陶 Daily 10am-10.30pm. 15-2, Solana (5905 6906) 蓝色港湾国际商区15-2
3) Water 水子 Daily 10am-2am. 15-4, Solana (5905 6008/9, 137 0113 1533) 蓝色港湾国际商区15-4
4) Café Bellissimo Daily 10am-10pm. Unit 567, Bldg 15, Bar Street, Solana (5905 1780 ext 802) 蓝色港湾酒吧街15号楼567商铺
5) The Swiss Restaurant and Bar 瑞士吧西餐厅 Daily 10am-2am. Unit 567, Bldg 15, Bar Street, Solana (5905 1780 ext 804) 蓝色港湾酒吧街15号楼567商铺

Christmas Eve, December 24

Casino Royale Magic, cancan dancers, a buffet and great raffle prizes. RMB 888, RMB 1,088, RMB 2,088, depending on seat location. 6.30pm. Grand Ballroom, Doubletree by Hilton, 168 Guanganmenwai Dajie, Xuanwu District, Xuanwu District (6338 1888) 宣武区宣武区广安门外大街168号

Christmas Eve Buffet Savor favorites like roasted turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce, fresh oysters, honey-baked ham and other traditional Christmas treats. Includes free-flow champagne, door gifts and live entertainment from a swing band. And Santa will also drop by. RMB 568+15%, RMB 284+15% (children). 6.30pm-11pm. Vasco’s, Hilton 89 Wangfujing Dongjie, Dongcheng District (5812 8888 ext 8411) 东城区北京王府井希尔顿酒店

Candy Wonderworld A candy wonderland with magical prizes and festive bubbles. RMB 1,588 +15% (free-flow champagne). 6.30pm. Also available on Christmas Day. Westin Chaoyang. 7 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (5922 8880) 朝阳区东三环北路7号

Starry Christmas Explore an international seafood buffet of tempting options prepared by a team of culinary artisans. An evening of exhilarations complete with fun-filled performance and lucky draw surprises as well as free-flow champagne, wine and beer. 6.30-11.30pm. RMB 2,888 (premium seating), RMB 1,488 (children); RMB 2,488 (general seating), RMB 1,288 (children). Westin, 9B Jinrong Jie (Financial Street), Xicheng District (6629 7777) 西城区金融街乙9号

Northern Lights A set-meal Christmas dinner with live entertainment, bespoke service and luxury prizes. Reservations recommended. RMB 2,688. 8.30pm. Great Hall Ballroom, St. Regis 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6460 6688) 朝阳区建国门外大街21号

Aroma Christmas Eve Dinner Indulge in a sumptuous Christmas Eve with international delicacies at Aroma. All diners will enjoy one complimentary drink at the Ritz-Carlton Bar. Diners may also win exciting lucky draw prizes. RMB 988 (free-flowing beer and wine), RMB 1,188 (free-flowing champagne). 6-10pm. Christmas Day Brunch also available. Aroma, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 83A Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (5908 8777) 朝阳区华贸中心建国路甲83号丽思卡尔顿酒店

Barolo Christmas Eve Dinner Let Chef Massimo pamper you with a magnificent five-course dinner. All diners will enjoy one complimentary drink at the Ritz-Carlton Bar. RMB 1,088, RMB 1,288 (includes wine). 6-10.30pm. Christmas Day Brunch also available. Barolo, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, China Central Place, 83A Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (5908 8888) 朝阳区华贸中心建国路甲83号丽思卡尔顿酒店

Di Napoli Christmas Menu This holiday season this Lucky Street Italian restaurant serves up two different set menus. Choose from a seafood menu (RMB 388) or meat menu (RMB 338) featuring traditional Italian dishes. Both set menus are accompanied by flowing wine from the Capania region, and a glass of Piedmont Moscato to go with the traditional Panettone Christmas dessert. Also available for lunch on Christmas day. Di Napoli Daily 10.30am-11pm. C-10, Lucky Street, 1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (5867 0263) 朝阳区朝阳公园路好运街C-10号

Elements Christmas Eve Seafood Dinner Buffet Join in the merriment of the season with a luxurious buffet. Indulge in a delightful selection of fresh, premium seafood and a wide array of international festive favorites including roast turkey, Christmas ham and mouth-watering desserts. Tickets include entry into the Hilton Beijing’s Elements super raffle. RMB 498+15% includes one glass of Mumm Champagne on arrival and free-flow of soft drinks, beer, Korean soju or Japanese sake. 6pm. Elements, 2/F, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang District (5865 5000 ext 5020) 朝阳区东方路1号希尔顿酒店2层

East 33 Buffet Feast on an opulent buffet with delicacies such as Boston lobster, poached whole salmon and turkey with tropical fruits. Santa will be there with his helpers to perform tricks and magic to the delight of young and old alike. RMB 688, RMB 488 (kids under 12). 6pm. East 33, Raffles Beijing Hotel, 33 Dongchang’an Jie, Dongcheng District (6526 3388 ext 5171) 东城区东长安街33号北京饭店莱佛士

Hilton Christmas Eve Treat your loved ones with a sumptuous holiday feast and live entertainment in the stylish surrounds of Hilton Beijing’s circular Infinity Ballroom. Chefs will be preparing an exciting holiday menu featuring gourmet Christmas specials from around the world. Tickets include entry into the Hilton Beijing’s Christmas Eve Celebration super raffle. RMB 1,188 to 1,888+15% for dinner buffet includes one glass of sparkling wine on arrival, Glühwein, and free-flowing beer and wine. 6pm. Infinity Ballroom, 2/F, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang District (5865 5000 ext 5030) 朝阳区东方路1号希尔顿酒店2层

Intercontinental Hotel Christmas Gala Experience a sumptuous international seafood buffet in the Xi’an Ballroom, amazing live entertainment, and the chance to win a holiday to the US. 5.30pm. Intercontinental Hotel, 11 Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District (5852 5888) 西城区金融街11号洲际酒店

Lily’s American Diner This little diner is serving up big portions for Christmas. Set meals are RMB 99 per person and include soup, salad, turkey, mashed potatoes, and four kinds of pies. Turkeys and pies are available for takeaway for RMB 65 per kg and RMB 80, respectively. Also available on Christmas day. Daily 8am-midnight. Lily's American Diner 2-18 Tianzhijiaozi, 31 Guangqu Lu, Chaoyang District (6592 5548) 朝阳区广渠路31号院天之骄子2号楼 2-18

One East Christmas Eve Celebrate a merry Christmas and welcome in the exciting New Year in traditional American style at Hilton Beijing’s award-winning One East. Their culinary team has prepared a decadent set menu filled with American favorites with a creative modern twist. RMB 588+15% for a five-course dinner including a glass of Mumm Champagne on arrival; add RMB 288+15% for wine pairing. 6pm. One East, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang District (5865 5000 ext 5030) 朝阳区东方路1号希尔顿酒店2层

Steak Exchange Christmas Eve Celebrate Christmas Eve in luxury at this award-winning restaurant. Enjoy a five-course set dinner featuring 250-day-aged Australian Angus beef, live entertainment, and a lucky draw for three night’s accommodation at InterContinental Yokohama with round-trip airfare for two. 5.30pm. Steak Exchange, InterContinental Hotel, 11 Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District (5852 5888 ext 5916) 西城区金融街11号洲际酒店

Zen A specially designed Chinese set menu will be served on Christmas Eve at Zen, where you can enjoy a stylish Christmas in an elegant and private environment. Zen, Intercontinental Hotel, 11 Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District (5852 5888) 西城区金融街11号洲际酒店

Zeta Christmas Eve Party Get your holiday groove on with music and people at Zeta Bar’s party. RMB 199 for three hours of free-flowing house spirits and wine, local beer and finger food. Zeta, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (5865 5050) 朝阳区东三环北路东方路1号希尔顿饭店2层

Christmas Day, December 25

Christmas Family Brunch
Enjoy foot-tapping festive tunes from the jazz band as you indulge in a delectable spread including scallops with aioli, foie gras, Bavarian meat and sausages – there’s even roast goose with all the trimmings. RMB 458, RMB 229 (children). 11.30am-3pm. Kranzler’s, Kempinski. Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6465 3388 ext 4200) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号

One East Christmas Day
RMB 288+15% for a three-course traditional American Christmas set lunch menu including turkey carved tableside and flaming puddings; add RMB 148+15% per person for unlimited Mumm Champagne. Noon. One East, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang District (5865 5000 ext 5030) 朝阳区东方路1号希尔顿酒店2层

Vasco’s Christmas Day
Christmas Day will be so much more jolly when celebrated with an abundance of scrumptious holiday offerings from Executive Chef Yu Xiang Gu and his team. That includes a colorful spread of Christmas delights and desserts and a visit from Santa Claus. RMB 468+15%, RMB 234+15% (kids 6-12). Dec 24 and 25. From 11.30 am. Vasco’s, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, 8 Wangfujing Dongjie, Dongcheng District (5812 8888) 东城区王府井东街8号希尔顿北京王府井酒店5层

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